Boy Old Testament Rare
Jair
Jairus, my light; who diffuses light
יָאִיר ya.ir
Jair (Hebrew: יָאִיר, ya.ir) means “Jairus, my light; who diffuses light”, by traditional interpretation. Four men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Exodus period. In 2025 it was given to 170 children in the United States. Around 7,269 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears in the same passages as Abihail.
Which Jair?
Four men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Jair
son of Segub
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Jair
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Jair
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Jair
father of Mordecai
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 8 across 7 books
- Bearers
- 4 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Exodus
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 170 | Steady |
| All-time total | 7,269 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 480 in 2003 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Numbers 32:41 |
| Last appears | Esther 2:5 |
| Cross-references | 71 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ira co-occurrence Appears with Ira in 2 Samuel 20.
- Shimei co-occurrence Appears with Shimei in Esther 2.
- Kish co-occurrence Appears with Kish in Esther 2.
- Ben-Geber co-occurrence Appears with Ben-Geber in 1 Kings 4.
- Segub co-occurrence Appears with Segub in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Manasseh co-occurrence Appears with Manasseh in 1 Kings 4.
- Tola co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Tola.
- Puah co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Puah.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Est.2.5;
son of: Shimei (H8096U);
father of: Mordecai (H4782H)
§ Jair = "he enlightens"
1) a descendant of Manasseh who conquered many towns during the time of the conquest
2) the Gileadite, a judge of Israel for 22 years during the time of the judges; father of 30 sons
3) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and father of Mordecai
4) father of Elhanan, one of David's mighty warriors
Jair was the father of Mordecai, a Benjamite mentioned in the book of Esther.
The biblical story
Jair is briefly mentioned in Est.2.5 as the father of Mordecai, one of the main characters in the book of Esther. Jair was a Benjamite, indicating that he belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. The text states that Jair's ancestors, Kish and Shimei, had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon during the time of King Jeconiah of Judah.
Key verses
Jair appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
Esther 2:5
Show all 1 reference
Esther (1)
- Esther 2:5