Ira
Ira the Ithrite was one of King David's Thirty mighty warriors (2Sa.23.38, 1Ch.11.40).
Biography
Ira the Ithrite was another of King David's renowned Thirty mighty warriors, distinguished from his namesakes by his Ithrite clan affiliation. The Ithrites were a family group from Kiriath-jearim in Judah, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:53 among the families of that region. Ira the Ithrite appears in both the list of the Thirty in 2 Samuel 23:38 and the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 11:40, where he is named alongside another Ithrite warrior, Gareb. His inclusion in this elite company signifies that he distinguished himself through acts of exceptional courage and military skill during the campaigns of David's reign, contributing to the security and expansion of the Israelite kingdom under God's appointed king.
Significance
Ira the Ithrite's membership in the Thirty underscores the breadth of the talent and courage that gathered around David's kingship, drawing from clans and regions across Judah and Israel. His pairing with Gareb in both Samuel and Chronicles suggests a close association, possibly reflecting joint military service. Together they represent the principle that God equips diverse individuals for service in his redemptive purposes. The Thirty as a whole embody devotion to God's anointed, foreshadowing the loyal community that would later gather around the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ, in his own kingdom mission.
Verse Appearances (2)
2Sam
1Chr
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]