2 Samuel 23:38 — Word Study
WLCעִירָא֙ הַיִּתְרִ֔י גָּרֵ֖ב הַיִּתְרִֽי׃ ס
BSAIraʻÎyrâʼ [a mighty warrior] the IthriteYithrîy [a descendant of Jether] GarebGârêb [meaning scourge or scorpion] the IthriteYithrîy [from Jattir town]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עִירָא֙ | Ira | Noun proper masculine |
| הַיִּתְרִ֔י | the Ithrite | Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute |
| גָּרֵ֖ב | Gareb | Noun proper masculine |
| הַיִּתְרִֽי׃ ס | the Ithrite | Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, |
| KJV | Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite, |
| ASV | Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, |
| YLT | Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, |
| WEB | Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, |
| BBE | Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, |
All translations agree on the identification of Ira and Gareb as Ithrites.
The verse consists of a simple list of names without additional clauses, emphasizing the straightforward nature of the enumeration.
3 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 2 Samuel 23:38
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Mighty Warriors of Davidgenerated
2 Samuel 23:38 is part of a passage that lists the names of King David's mighty warriors, highlighting their valor and importance in his reign. This verse specifically mentions Ira and Gareb, both identified as Ithrites, emphasizing their heritage and roles as warriors in David's army.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 20:26 | and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest. |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 2:53 | and the clans of Kiriath-jearim—the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites. |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 11:40 | Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עִירָא, 'i.Ra'generated
The name עִירָא ('i.Ra') refers to a notable figure in King David's circle, meaning 'watchful of a city.' It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of wakefulness. Ira is recognized as a mighty warrior, showcasing the strength and loyalty of those who served under David.
Ira appears in the context of a list of warriors, indicating his significance among David's elite fighters. This name, associated with three different Israelites, underscores the importance of identity and lineage in the biblical narrative.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of this verse is straightforward, listing two noun phrases: עִירָא and גָּרֵ֖ב, both followed by the phrase הַיִּתְרִ֔י, identifying them as Ithrites. The simplicity of the structure reflects the nature of the list, emphasizing the names of these warriors.
The absence of a verb indicates that this is a straightforward enumeration of names, characteristic of genealogical or military lists in biblical literature.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עִירָא as ιρας and גָּרֵב as γαρηβ, maintaining the names while shifting to Greek. This choice reflects a direct transliteration rather than interpretation, preserving the original Hebrew names.
The consistent use of names in the Septuagint suggests a recognition of their significance in the narrative, similar to their treatment in the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
2 Samuel 23:38 lists Ira and Gareb as warriors from the Ithrite clan who served under King David. Their names reflect their heritage and roles in David's army, emphasizing the loyalty and valor of his mighty men.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Ira and Gareb were warriors from the Ithrite clan, serving King David and noted for their valor.
The term 'Ithrite' indicates a descendant of Jether, suggesting a lineage of excellence.
These names highlight the loyalty and bravery of King David's warriors, contributing to the narrative of his reign.
David had a total of thirty-seven mighty warriors, as noted in the surrounding verses.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What qualities do I admire in leaders like David that are reflected in his warriors?
- How can I demonstrate loyalty and bravery in my own life?
- In what ways does my heritage influence my identity and actions?
- What lessons can I learn from the lives of those who served faithfully in the past?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 2 Samuel 23:38 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIra an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite. These were of Jether, as the Targum, a descendant of Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, 1 Chronicles 2:50 1 Chronicles 4:15.
Read John Gill on 2 Samuel 23 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIra an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite, Ira an Ithrite , [ `Iyraa' (H5896) ha-Yitriy (H3505)] - Ira (wakeful), Ithrite, from Jattir ('Attir), a town in the highland district of Judah.
Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Samuel 23 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges38. Ithrite] Belonging to the family of Jether, which settled at Kirjath-jearim (1 Chronicles 2:53).
Read Cambridge on 2 Samuel 23 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite
Tyndale line
Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite;
Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
Ira the Ithrite: Gareb the Ithrite:
Strictly literal
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
'Ira the Yithrite, Gareb the Yithrite,
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
From the Latin
Ira the Jethrite, Gareb also a Jethrite;
Simplified
Ira the Ithrite; Gareb the Ithrite;
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the names and their order. The Dead Sea Scrolls provide partial confirmation, with one word on the leather and the rest reconstructed by an editor, indicating some preservation of the text's integrity despite damage.
עִירָא֙ הַיִּתְרִ֔י גָּרֵ֖ב הַיִּתְרִֽי׃ ס
4 of the 4 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[עירא] [היתרי] גרב [היתרי]
1 word on the leather — 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 2 Samuel 23:38
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עִירָא (Iyra') refers to a name meaning 'watchful of a city.' It is associated with three individuals from the time of the United Monarchy, all of whom were notable figures in King David's circle, including one of his great officers and two of his mighty warriors. The name is derived from the root meaning 'wakefulness.'
עִירָא n.pr.m.
of David
heroes of David
base
H5896 עִירָא
5896 `Iyra' ee-raw'
from 5782; wakefulness; Ira, the name of three
Israelites:--Ira.
see HEBREW for 05782
עִירָא (i.ra) — Ira.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Sa.20.26
§ Ira = "watchful of a city"
1) the Jairite, one of David's great officers
2) one of David's mighty warriors
3) a Tekoite, son of Ikkesh, and another of David's mighty warriors
עִירָא (i.ra) — Ira.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.26;
son of: Ikkesh (H6142)
§ Ira = "watchful of a city"
1) the Jairite, one of David's great officers
2) one of David's mighty warriors
3) a Tekoite, son of Ikkesh, and another of David's mighty warriors
עִירָא (i.ra) — Ira.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.38
§ Ira = "watchful of a city"
1) the Jairite, one of David's great officers
2) one of David's mighty warriors
3) a Tekoite, son of Ikkesh, and another of David's mighty warriors
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
i'-ra (`ira'; Eiras):
(1) A person referred to in 2Sa 20:26 as "priest" (so the Revised Version (British and American) correctly; the King James Version "a chief ruler," the American Standard Revised Version "chief minister") unto David. The translation of the Revised Version (British and American) is the only possible one; but, according to the text, Ira was "a Jairite," and thus of the tribe of Manasseh (Nu 32:41) and not eligible to the priesthood. On the basis of the Peshitta some would correct "Jairite" of 2Sa 20:26 into "Jattirite," referring to Jattir, a priestly city within the territory of Judah (Jos 21:14). Others point to
Ira
Citizen; wakeful. (1.) A Tekoite, one of David’s thirty warriors (2 Sam. 23:26).
(2.) An Ithrite, also one of David’s heroes (2 Sam. 23:38).
(3.) A Jairite and priest, a royal chaplain (2 Sam. 20:26) or confidential adviser (comp. 2 Sam. 8:18; 1 Chr. 18:17).
(watchful of a city). "The Jairite," named in the catalogue of David’s great officers. (2 Samuel 20:26) One of the heroes of David’s guard. (2 Samuel 23:38; 1 Chronicles 11:40) Another of David’s guard, a Tekoite, son of Ikkesh- (2 Samuel 23:26; 1 Chronicles 11:28) (B.C. 1046-1014.)
watchman; making bare; pouring out
יִתְרִי (Yithriy) refers to an Ithrite, a descendant of Jether. The term is patronymically derived from another Hebrew word and is associated with the idea of a remnant or excellence. It appears in the context of individuals in the Old Testament, specifically noted in 2 Samuel 23:38.
יִתְרִי adj.gent., alw. c. art.
base
H3505 יִתְרִי
3505 Yithriy yith-ree'
patronymically from 3500; a Jithrite or descendant of
Jether:--Ithrite.
see HEBREW for 03500
יִתְרִי (yit.ri) — Ithrite.
Someone descended from Ithar(?), first mentioned at 2Sa.23.38
§ Ithrite = "a remnant: excellence"
a descendant of Jether
Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ngmsa
Ithrite
Two of David’s warriors so designated (2 Sam. 23:38; 1 Chr. 11:40).
(belonging to Jether), The, the designation of two of the members of David’s guard, Ira and Gareb. (2 Samuel 23:38; 1 Chronicles 11:40) They may have come from Jattir, in the mountains of Judah. (B.C 1046.)
גָּרֵב (Gareb) refers to a name meaning 'scabby.' It denotes both a man, one of David's heroes mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:38, and a hill located southwest of Jerusalem. The word is derived from a root related to the concept of being scabby, linking the name to its physical connotation.
גָּרֵב
n.pr.m. one of David’s heroes
n.pr.loc. hill of Gareb, appar. close to Jerusalem on the SW.
base
H1619 גָּרֵב
1619 Gareb gaw-rabe'
from the same as 1618; scabby; Gareb, the name of an
Israelite, also of a hill near Jerusalem:--Gareb.
see HEBREW for 01618
גָּרֵב (ga.rev) — Gareb.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.38
§ Gareb = "scabby"
1) one of the heroes of David's army
2) a hill near Jerusalem, apparently southwest
גָּרֵב (ga.rev) — Gareb.
§ Gareb = "scabby"
a hill near Jerusalem, apparently southwest
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Gareb
Scabby; itch. (1.) One of David’s warriors (2 Sam. 23:38), an Ithrite.
(2.) A hill near Jerusalem (Jer. 31:39), probably the hill of lepers, and consequently a place outside the boundary of the city.
(scabby), one of the heroes of David’s army. (2 Samuel 23:38)
a scab
יִתְרִי (Yithriy) refers to an Ithrite, a descendant of Jether. The term is patronymically derived from another Hebrew word and is associated with the idea of a remnant or excellence. It appears in the context of individuals in the Old Testament, specifically noted in 2 Samuel 23:38.
יִתְרִי adj.gent., alw. c. art.
base
H3505 יִתְרִי
3505 Yithriy yith-ree'
patronymically from 3500; a Jithrite or descendant of
Jether:--Ithrite.
see HEBREW for 03500
יִתְרִי (yit.ri) — Ithrite.
Someone descended from Ithar(?), first mentioned at 2Sa.23.38
§ Ithrite = "a remnant: excellence"
a descendant of Jether
Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ngmsa
Ithrite
Two of David’s warriors so designated (2 Sam. 23:38; 1 Chr. 11:40).
(belonging to Jether), The, the designation of two of the members of David’s guard, Ira and Gareb. (2 Samuel 23:38; 1 Chronicles 11:40) They may have come from Jattir, in the mountains of Judah. (B.C 1046.)