יָאִרִי
𐤉𐤀𐤓𐤉
Yâʼirîy
H2972 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Patronymic designation referring to a member of the clan descended from Yair (Jair). Identifies a person as a 'Yairite,' i.e., descendant or clan member of Yair, used as a descriptor in genealogical or tribal lists and narratives. It does not imply a national, religious, or tribal distinction beyond descent from the individual named Yair.
Semantic Range
descendant of Yair, member of the clan of Yair, Jairite (gentilic, used of personal affiliation)
Root / Etymology
Formed from the personal name יָאִיר (Yair) with the substative gentilic suffix -י, creating a noun of affiliation meaning 'of Yair's clan/lineage.' יָאִיר comes from the root אור ('to shine, give light'), but the patronymic sense here relates to descent from a historical figure named Yair rather than having an etymological sense related to 'shining.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, 'יָאִרִי' appears as a patronymic, specifically denoting descendants of Yair, an Israelite figure known from genealogical and tribal contexts (e.g., 2 Samuel 20:26; Numbers 32:41; Deuteronomy 3:14, where the connection to the personal name Yair is highlighted). The term functions similarly to other clan descriptors formed with the gentilic '-i' ending in biblical Hebrew (e.g., יִשְׁמָעֵאלִי 'Ishmaelite'). In English translations, 'Jairite' appears, but this can obscure the Hebrew sense of clan or familial linkage, not indicating ethnic or confessional status. The term has little evidence for usage or development outside a narrow genealogical context. Its use is limited and specific to passages listing or describing subgroups within ancient Israelite tribal structures.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patronymically from יָאִיר; a Jairite or descendant of Jair; Jairite.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אור (ʾ-w-r) — to shine, give light
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1160 | בְּעוֹר | light of |
| H215 | אוֹר | Cause to shine |
| H216 | אוֹר | in your light |
| H217 | אוּר | in the fire |
| H218 | אוּר | in Ur |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2972-01 |
הַ/יָּ֣אִרִ֔י | hayairi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Jairite | the Yairite | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2972-01 |
2 Samuel 20:26 | הַ/יָּ֣אִרִ֔י | hayairi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Jairite | the Yairite |