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עִירָם

𐤏𐤉𐤓𐤌

Iram

H5902 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עיר city, urban area, town

Definition

Iram: a proper name designating an individual, specifically one listed as a leader among the descendants of Edom (Idumaean), appearing in genealogical contexts. The name itself is derived from a root associated with 'city,' but as a personal name, it does not necessarily denote literal connection with a city or urban function. In biblical usage, 'Iram' identifies an Edomite chief, not a geographic location or a descriptor of urban status.

Semantic Range

personal name (Edomite chief); etymologically 'city-dweller,' but no contextual usage beyond proper name

Root / Etymology

Root: עִיר (ʿir), meaning 'city.' The name עִירָם (ʿÎyrâm) is a theophoric or descriptive formation, possibly 'city-dweller,' 'urbanite,' or 'city man,' but evidently used as a personal name for an Edomite leader. The exact intention behind the naming is unclear in the biblical context, and the formation may reflect a traditional naming convention rather than literal reference to urban residence. The root ע-י-ר ('ayr) is typically associated with 'city' but personal names derived from common nouns are frequent in the region.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עִירָם (Iram) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible (Genesis 36:43), where he is listed among the chiefs of Edom, a people descended from Esau and inhabiting territory southeast of the land of Israel. This identifies Iram as Edomite (Idumaean) and places him in a genealogical list of tribal or clan leaders, rather than as a direct participant in narrative events. The form and structure of the name are consistent with other Edomite and Israelite personal names, many of which also derive from common nouns or toponymic expressions. English translation traditions sometimes render the name without transliteration, but the meaning is not expanded upon. There is no evidence from the biblical text that the name conveys a specific urban or city-based role; it functions solely as a personal or clan name in the genealogical listing. The context is genealogical and not geographic, and the term 'Idumaean' (Greek form of Edomite) is used in later sources or translations, not the Hebrew text itself. No subsequent Israelite, Judahite, or Judean usage of the name Iram is attested in later periods or outside this passage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עִיר; city-wise; Iram, an Idumaean; Iram.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עיר (ʿ-y-r) — city, town, urban settlement

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H215 אוֹר the fortified settlement
H5892 עִיר my cities
H5900 עִירוּ Iru City-man
H5901 עִירִי and City-Dweller
H6144 עָר Ar

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5902-01 עִירָ֑ם iram HNp Iram Iram 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5902-01 Genesis 36:43 עִירָ֑ם iram HNp Iram Iram
H5902-01 1 Chronicles 1:54 עִירָ֑ם iram HNp Iram Iram
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