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Hirah

malePatriarchal

Meaning: “Nobility; splendor”

A Canaanite of Adullam and friend of Judah, present in the account of Judah and Tamar.

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Biography

Hirah was a man of Adullam and a friend and business associate of Judah (Genesis 38:1, 12). When Judah turned aside from his brothers and settled among the Canaanites, it was at the house of Hirah that he stayed and through whom he conducted his affairs. Hirah later served as Judah's go-between in the account of Judah and Tamar, sent to recover Judah's pledged signet, bracelets, and staff (Genesis 38:20–23). His appearances frame the difficult Genesis 38 narrative that nonetheless advanced the messianic line through Perez.

Life Timeline

1865 BC

Befriends Judah at Adullam

Genesis 38:1 →

On the Bible timeline

Hirah belongs to the The Patriarchs era (c. 2100 – 1800 BC).

  1. c. 2091 BCThe Call of Abraham
  2. c. 1898 BCJoseph Sold into Egypt

Themes & lessons from Hirah

Biblical themes that run through the passages where Hirah appears.

Adullam1×Sheep1×Shua1×Timnath1×

People they appear with

Judah2×

Scripture Appearances

2 verses in 1 book
Genesis2 verses

Genesis 38:1

And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.

Genesis 38:12

And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. in process: Heb. the days were multiplied

Frequently asked about Hirah

Who was Hirah in the Bible?

A Canaanite of Adullam and friend of Judah, present in the account of Judah and Tamar.

What does the name Hirah mean?

The name Hirah means “Nobility; splendor”.

Where does Hirah appear in the Bible?

Hirah is mentioned 2 times across 1 book: Genesis.

What can we learn from Hirah?

The story of Hirah touches on themes of adullam, sheep, shua, timnath — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Hirah's life.

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