Jair
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Jair in the Bible?
Jair was a biblical figure who served as a judge of Israel and is identified in the Hebrew Bible as the son of Manasseh, fathering thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys and controlled thirty towns known as Havvoth-jair.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Jair clarifies the political structure of the pre-monarchic period, illustrating how leadership was maintained through tribal lineage and the control of specific territorial holdings rather than centralized administration.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Jair reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Jair in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Jair clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Jair." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/jair/