עִירוּ

Iru, an Israelite

Definition

עִירוּ (Iru) is a proper noun referring to an individual mentioned only once in the Old Testament as a son of Caleb, listed in the genealogy of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:15). As a personal name, it carries the meaning 'citizen' or 'belonging to a city,' derived from its root. In this singular biblical context, it functions solely to identify a specific person within a tribal lineage, with no other attested meanings or applications in the Hebrew Bible.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 4:15, within a genealogical list. Its usage is strictly as a personal name to identify Iru as a son of Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, in the lineage of the tribe of Judah. There are no patterns of usage, as it appears in this single, historical record-keeping context.

Etymology

The name עִירוּ (ʻÎyrûw) is a derivative of the Hebrew root עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892), which means 'city' or 'town.' It is formed as a gentilic or possessive construction, essentially meaning 'citizen,' 'city-dweller,' or 'belonging to a city.' This follows a common Hebrew pattern for forming personal names from nouns describing places or characteristics.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, names were often significant and descriptive. A name like Iru ('citizen') may have reflected a connection to urban life or a hope for settled, communal stability, especially for a descendant of Caleb, who was associated with the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. It distinguishes him within a genealogy that emphasizes tribal heritage and land inheritance.

עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — The root noun meaning 'city' or 'town,' from which Iru is derived. קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151) — Another common Hebrew word for 'city,' often used in poetic or fortified contexts. יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — A verb meaning 'to dwell' or 'to sit,' conceptually related to being an inhabitant or citizen.

Word Details

Scripture References