Boy Old Testament Rare
Ira
watchman; making bare; pouring out
עִירָא i.ra
Ira (Hebrew: עִירָא, i.ra) means “watchman; making bare; pouring out”, by traditional interpretation. Three men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a king. In 2025 it was given to 523 children in the United States, ranking 819. Use is rising. Around 62,535 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Abiezer in 1 Chronicles 11.
Which Ira?
Three men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Ira
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Ira
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Ira
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 6 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 3 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 523 | Rising |
| All-time total | 62,535 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 968 in 1947 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Samuel 20:26 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 27:9 |
| Cross-references | 40 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ikkesh co-occurrence Appears with Ikkesh in 1 Chronicles 11.
- Gareb co-occurrence Appears with Gareb in 1 Chronicles 11.
- Tekoa co-occurrence Appears with Tekoa in 1 Chronicles 11.
- Jair co-occurrence Appears with Jair in 2 Samuel 20.
- Abiezer co-occurrence Appears with Abiezer in 1 Chronicles 11.
- Helez co-occurrence Appears with Helez in 2 Samuel 23.
- Pelonites co-occurrence Appears with Pelonites in 2 Samuel 23.
- Sheva co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Sheva.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Sa.20.26
§ Ira = "watchful of a city"
1) the Jairite, one of David's great officers
2) one of David's mighty warriors
3) a Tekoite, son of Ikkesh, and another of David's mighty warriors
Ira the Jairite was a priest under King David.
The biblical story
Ira the Jairite served as a priest under King David, according to 2Sa.20.26. He is listed among David's officials at the end of a narrative describing the quelling of a rebellion against David. As a Jairite, Ira likely descended from Jair, who was from the tribe of Manasseh (Num.32.41, Deut 3.14). The text provides no further details about Ira's specific duties or tenure as a priest under David's reign.
Key verses
Ira appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
2 Samuel 20:26
Show all 1 reference
2 Samuel (1)
- 2 Samuel 20:26