3296. Yaare Oregim
Lexical Summary
Yaare Oregim: Forest of Weavers

Original Word: יַעֲרֵי אֹרְגִים
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ya`arey 'Orgiym
Pronunciation: yah-ah-ray o-re-geem
Phonetic Spelling: (yah-ar-ay' o-reg-eem')
KJV: Jaare-oregim
NASB: Jaare-oregim
Word Origin: [from the plural of H3293 (יַעַר - Forest) and the masculine plural active participle of H707 (אָרַג - weaver's)]

1. woods of weavers
2. Jaare-Oregim, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Jaare-oregim

From the plural of ya'ar and the masculine plural active participle of 'arag; woods of weavers; Jaare-Oregim, an Israelite -- Jaare-oregim.

see HEBREW ya'ar

see HEBREW 'arag

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from yaar and arag
Definition
father of Elhanan
NASB Translation
Jaare-oregim (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
יַעֲרֵי אֹרְגִים proper name, masculine father of Elhanan 2 Samuel 21:19 (= יָעִו֯ר 1 Chronicles 20:5); ׳א probably scribal error anticipating ׳א in following line (We Dr), and יַעֲרֵי error for יָעִיר (We) q. v. below עור.

Topical Lexicon
Name and Meaning

The compound “Jaare-oregim” appears to blend the Hebrew idea of “wooded place” or “forest” (yaʿar) with the plural participle “weavers” (ʿōrĕgîm). Taken together, the name may evoke “Forester of Weavers” or “Forest-dweller, weavers,” a designation that hints at either a geographic setting associated with timber and textile work or a family trade known for weaving. Although unusual, the construction fits other Old Testament names that combine topographical and occupational elements (for example, “Agrippa,” “Beth-shemesh”).

Biblical Occurrence

2 Samuel 21:19 records the only appearance of Jaare-oregim:

“Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite struck down Goliath the Gittite, whose spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam.” (Berean Standard Bible)

Historical Context

The verse belongs to a catalog of heroic exploits during the later years of David’s reign when Israel was consolidating control over Philistine strongholds. The battles described (2 Samuel 21:15–22) form an appendix of giant-slayings that testify to God’s continued deliverance through David’s men. Jaare-oregim, though not given a personal biography, is commemorated through his son Elhanan’s valor—a reminder that covenant faithfulness often extends generational honor (Exodus 20:6).

Relationship to David’s Elite Warriors

Elhanan is numbered among “the Thirty” in 2 Samuel 23:24, an elite corps that secured David’s kingdom. Since family lineage influenced tribal enlistment, Jaare-oregim likely hailed from the Bethlehem region (the text calls Elhanan “the Bethlehemite”). This ties the family to Judah, David’s own tribe, underscoring the communal participation of Bethlehemite households in defeating Israel’s enemies—an echo of David’s earlier victory over Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.

Harmonization with 1 Chronicles 20:5

The Chronicler writes, “Elhanan son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite” (Berean Standard Bible). The consonantal similarity between “Jair” and “Jaare,” and the proximity of “weaver’s beam” in both contexts, accounts for the differing forms. Rather than signaling contradiction, the parallel texts complement each other:

• Chronicles clarifies that Elhanan killed Goliath’s brother, not the champion himself (David had already done that).
• Samuel preserves the unique compound “Jaare-oregim,” probably concatenating the father’s name (Jair/Jaare) with the nearby phrase “weavers” from the spear description.

Thus Scripture presents two converging streams: the essential fact of Elhanan’s victory and the paternal connection, both preserved under divine supervision despite minor scribal variations.

Theological Significance

1. God’s faithfulness in successive generations. The same Bethlehem that produced David also produced Elhanan, demonstrating that God raises new champions to answer recurring threats (Psalm 78:70–72).
2. Corporate victory over spiritual giants. Each named Philistine giant is felled by a different warrior, foreshadowing the New Testament pattern of diverse gifts in one body (1 Corinthians 12:4–11).
3. The humble obscurity of Jaare-oregim. Though uncelebrated beyond one mention, his legacy endures through his son, embodying the principle that quiet faithfulness can yield public redemptive impact (Proverbs 20:7).

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Invest in the next generation; Jaare-oregim’s significance lies in the spiritual and martial formation of Elhanan.
• Embrace supportive roles; not every servant receives spotlight, yet the kingdom advances because of interwoven contributions—like threads in a weaver’s beam.
• Trust the harmony of Scripture; apparent discrepancies invite deeper study and ultimately strengthen confidence in the inspired record.

In sum, Jaare-oregim stands as a testament to the hidden yet essential strands God employs to weave His redemptive purposes through Israel’s history and through the Church today.

Forms and Transliterations
אֹרְגִ֜ים ארגים ’ō·rə·ḡîm ’ōrəḡîm oreGim
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Samuel 21:19
HEB: בֶּן־ יַעְרֵ֨י אֹרְגִ֜ים בֵּ֣ית הַלַּחְמִ֗י
NAS: the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite
KJV: the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite,
INT: and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite Goliath

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 3296
1 Occurrence


’ō·rə·ḡîm — 1 Occ.

3295
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