Lexical Summary Yaor: Jair Original Word: יָעוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jairfrom the Apparently the passive participle of the same as ya'ar; wooded; Jaur, an Israelite -- Jair(from the margin). see HEBREW ya'ar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ur Definition an Isr. NASB Translation Jair (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יָעוֺר Kt, יָעִיר Qr, proper name, masculine father of Elhanan the giant-slayer 1 Chronicles 20:5 (Ιαειρ) + "" 2 Samuel 21:19 (where read יעיר for יַעֲרֵי, and strike out אֹרְגִים, see Th We Dr Bu Kit HPS). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence The name יָעוּר appears a single time in Scripture, identifying the father of Elhanan in the record of Israel’s wars with the Philistines: “Elhanan son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite; the shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam” (1 Chronicles 20:5). This brief mention situates יָעוּר within the annals of David’s reign, when the defeat of formidable enemies testified to the Lord’s ongoing protection of His covenant people. Historical Setting The event is dated late in David’s monarchy, a period marked by recurring Philistine aggression (2 Samuel 21:15-22; 1 Chronicles 20:4-8). The chronicler compresses several battles into a concise summary, highlighting God’s faithfulness through the exploits of lesser-known warriors. As the father of Elhanan, יָעוּר belongs to Bethlehemite lineage, underscoring how God raised defenders from the same region that produced both David and, ultimately, the Messiah. Interrelation with Parallel Texts 2 Samuel 21:19 presents a parallel account in which Elhanan is called “the son of Jaare-Oregim.” The Chronicles text gives the simpler יָעוּר. Rather than a contradiction, these complementary readings reflect ancient scribal challenges with compound names and provide an instructive glimpse into the transmission of the inspired text. Harmonizing the passages reminds readers that Scripture’s diverse witnesses converge to convey a unified historical reality: the Philistines were decisively opposed and God’s honor upheld. Insights for Theology and Ministry 1. God’s use of the obscure: יָעוּר is mentioned only once, yet his son’s faith and courage altered the course of Israel’s struggle. Ordinary believers may leave an extraordinary legacy when they nurture faithfulness in the next generation (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:5). Lessons in Spiritual Warfare The slaying of Lahmi echoes the defeat of Goliath and anticipates the believer’s conquest through Christ. The repetition of “weaver’s beam” for the spear shaft (1 Chronicles 20:5) emphasizes the intimidating nature of the enemy, yet also magnifies God’s deliverance through seemingly lesser figures. This encourages the church to face colossal cultural and spiritual challenges with the assurance that “the battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47). Christological Foreshadowing Bethlehemite victories over giants point forward to the greater Son of David who would conquer sin, death, and the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-15). Just as יָעוּר’s household produced a champion who toppled a terrifying foe, so the household of David produced the Christ who triumphed at the cross and empty tomb. Legacy Though יָעוּר’s name flashes only briefly across the biblical record, his inclusion in sacred history affirms that every servant of God, however hidden, contributes to the unfolding redemptive plan. His legacy invites believers to invest in the faith of those who will stand on future battlefields, confident that the Lord who brought victory in the Valley of Elah and in the wars chronicled by the historians of Israel remains the same today. Forms and Transliterations יָעִ֗יר יעיר yā‘îr yā·‘îr yaIrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 20:5 HEB: [יָעוּר כ] (יָעִ֗יר ק) אֶת־ NAS: the son of Jair killed KJV: and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi INT: and Elhanan the son Jair Lahmi the brother |
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