Jair
maleJudgesMeaning: “He enlightens; whom God enlightens”
A Gileadite judge who led Israel twenty-two years and whose thirty sons rode thirty donkeys and held thirty towns.
Biography
Jair, a Gileadite, was a "minor" judge who followed Tola and "judged Israel twenty and two years" (Judges 10:3). Scripture's brief notice highlights his prosperity and standing: he "had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities," called Havoth-jair in the land of Gilead (Judges 10:4). After his years of leadership he died and was buried in Camon. His tenure is one of the calmer interludes in the turbulent book of Judges.
Life Timeline
Judges Israel twenty-two years from Gilead
On the Bible timeline
Jair belongs to the Conquest & the Judges era (c. 1400 – 1050 BC).
- c. 1375 – 1050 BCThe Age of the Judges
Themes & lessons from Jair
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Jair appears.
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
3 verses in 1 bookJudges3 verses
Judges 10:3
And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.
Judges 10:4
And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead. Havothjair: or, the villages of Jair
Judges 10:5
And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.
Frequently asked about Jair
Who was Jair in the Bible?
A Gileadite judge who led Israel twenty-two years and whose thirty sons rode thirty donkeys and held thirty towns.
What does the name Jair mean?
The name Jair means “He enlightens; whom God enlightens”.
What did Jair do in the Bible?
Jair served as judge of israel.
Where does Jair appear in the Bible?
Jair is mentioned 3 times across 1 book: Judges.
What can we learn from Jair?
The story of Jair touches on themes of jair, judges of israel — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Jair's life.
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