Boy Old Testament Rare
Hirah
liberty; anger
חִירָה chi.rah
Hirah (Hebrew: חִירָה, chi.rah) means “liberty; anger”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 3 verses across 1 book of the Bible. In 2012 it was given to 5 children in the United States. Appears in the same passages as Bath-shua.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Hirah
son of Jacob
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 3 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2012 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2012 | 5 | Steady |
| All-time total | 5 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 5 in 2012 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 38:1 |
| Last appears | Genesis 38:20 |
| Cross-references | 42 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Benjamin attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Levi attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Issachar attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Asher attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Dan attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Reuben attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Gad attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Joseph attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.1
§ Hirah = "a noble family"
an Adullamite, the friend of Judah
Hirah was an Adullamite who was a close friend of Judah, the son of Jacob.
The biblical story
Hirah is mentioned in Gen.38.1 and 12 as an Adullamite who was a close friend of Judah, the fourth son of Israel (or 'Jacob'). Adullam was a Canaanite city located in the Shephelah, the foothills between the coastal plain and the Judean hills.
In Gen.38.1, Judah left his brothers and stayed with Hirah in Adullam. During this time, Judah married a Canaanite woman named Shua and had three sons with her. This event marked a significant departure from the traditions of his family, as marrying outside of the Hebrew people was generally discouraged.
Later, in Gen.38.12, after the death of Judah's wife, he went to Timnah with his friend Hirah to shear his sheep. It was during this trip that Judah encountered his daughter-in-law Tamar, who had disguised herself as a prostitute. Judah, unaware of her true identity, slept with her, resulting in Tamar's pregnancy.
Hirah's presence in these narratives suggests that he was a trusted companion of Judah and that their friendship endured over time. As an Adullamite, Hirah would have been familiar with the local customs and culture, which may have influenced Judah's decisions and actions during his time away from his family.
Key verses
Hirah appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.
Genesis 38:1 -
And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah’s wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
Genesis 38:12
Show all 2 references
Genesis (2)
- Genesis 38:1
- Genesis 38:12