5901. Iri
Lexical Summary
Iri: Iri

Original Word: עִירִי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Iyriy
Pronunciation: ee-REE
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ree')
KJV: Iri
NASB: Iri
Word Origin: [from H5892 (עִיר עָר עָיַר - City)]

1. urbane
2. Iri, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Iri

From iyr; urbane; Iri, an Israelite -- Iri.

see HEBREW iyr

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ir
Definition
a Benjamite
NASB Translation
Iri (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עִירִי proper name, masculine Benjamite 1 Chronicles 7:7, Ουρ(ε)ι.

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrence and Context

Iri appears once in Scripture, within the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin: “The descendants of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri; they were heads of families—22,034 mighty warriors listed in their genealogy” (1 Chronicles 7:7). The Chronicler presents Iri as one of five sons of Bela, the firstborn of Benjamin, emphasizing both family leadership and military valor.

Tribal and Genealogical Significance

1 Chronicles 7 spotlights the numerical strength of Benjamin’s clans. By naming Iri among the “heads of families,” Scripture affirms the divinely ordered structure of Israel’s tribal society, where lineage safeguarded covenant inheritance (Numbers 26:55–56). Iri’s inclusion supports three key purposes of biblical genealogy:
• Preservation of tribal land rights after the Exile.
• Validation of military readiness, reflecting earlier Benjamite prowess (Judges 20).
• Continuity of God’s promises through successive generations.

Historical Background

Although the genealogies in Chronicles were compiled after the Babylonian captivity, they reach back to Israel’s early settlement in Canaan. The muster roll of 22,034 warriors linked to Bela’s line testifies to Benjamin’s resilience despite its small territorial allotment and past civil strife. Iri’s household would have contributed to the defense of Israel’s central hill country and, by extension, to the stability that enabled worship at the Temple in Jerusalem.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Faithfulness: By recording even briefly mentioned figures like Iri, Scripture illustrates God’s meticulous remembrance of His people (Malachi 3:16).
2. Covenant Identity: Every name serves the larger narrative of redemption leading to the Messiah, who Himself is traced through precise genealogies (Matthew 1:1–17).
3. Valor and Service: The description “mighty warriors” foreshadows the New Testament call for believers to be “good soldiers of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3).

Ministry Implications

• Individual Worth: The singular mention of Iri encourages pastors and congregations to honor faithful members whose quiet service strengthens the body of Christ.
• Intergenerational Discipleship: Genealogies urge churches to invest in family-based spiritual formation, ensuring that each generation knows “the glorious deeds of the LORD” (Psalm 78:4).
• Spiritual Warfare: The martial language surrounding Iri’s clan reminds believers that spiritual readiness and unity are vital for advancing the gospel (Ephesians 6:10–18).

Summary

Although Iri occupies only one verse, his placement within Benjamin’s genealogy underscores the precision of God’s historical record, the importance of familial faithfulness, and the enduring call to courageous service.

Forms and Transliterations
וְעִירִ֜י ועירי veiRi wə‘îrî wə·‘î·rî
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 7:7
HEB: וְ֠עֻזִּיאֵל וִירִימ֨וֹת וְעִירִ֜י חֲמִשָּׁ֗ה רָאשֵׁי֙
NAS: Jerimoth and Iri. They [were] heads
KJV: and Jerimoth, and Iri, five;
INT: and Uzziel and Jerimoth and Iri five heads

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5901
1 Occurrence


wə·‘î·rî — 1 Occ.

5900
Top of Page
Top of Page