Greek word · G2383
Ἰάειρος
iaeiros
Jairus
The Greek form of Hebrew יָאִיר (Ya'ir, 'Jair'). It is usually taken as 'he (God) will give light' or 'enlighten'. A less common derivation, from a root meaning 'rouse', gives 'he will awaken'.
Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
- Range of meaning
The Greek form of Hebrew יָאִיר (Ya'ir, 'Jair'). It is usually taken as 'he (God) will give light' or 'enlighten'. A less common derivation, from a root meaning 'rouse', gives 'he will awaken'.
- Against the English
All English versions transliterate it as 'Jairus'.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Jair son of Manasseh (Numbers 32:41), Jair the judge (Judges 10:3–5), and Mordecai son of Jair (Esther 2:5). The Septuagint writes it Ἰαϊρ. Josephus names Eleazar son of Jairus (Greek Iaeiros), the leader of the rebels at Masada (Jewish War 2.447; 7.253), which shows the name was in use among first-century Jews.
Where it appears
Mark · 1
-
Mark 5:22 Ἰάϊρος· Jairus;
A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet
Here: The Greek form of the Hebrew name Yair (Jair), an old Israelite name carried by a judge of Israel (Judges 10:3) and by Mordecai's father (Esther 2:5). It usually means 'he will give light'. Some connect it with 'he will awaken'.
Luke · 1
-
Luke 8:41 Ἰάϊρος, Jairus,
Just then a synagogue leader named Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He begged Him to come to his house,
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.