"And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Ira Meaning in the Bible
Ira
boy
Ira means "Watchful; Vigilant", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Ira appears in the King James Bible, and 2 Samuel 20:26 is the passage most often tied to it. Ira embodies spiritual vigilance — the disciplined watchfulness that keeps believers ready for God's direction.
Is Ira in the Bible?
Yes — Ira appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Samuel 20:26.
Pronunciation:/EYE-rah/
OriginHebrew
MeaningWatchful; Vigilant
What does Ira mean?
Ira is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Watchful; Vigilant". Ira is a Hebrew name meaning 'watchful' or 'vigilant.' In the Bible, Ira the Jairite served as King David's priest and advisor. The name connects to the biblical call to spiritual watchfulness — staying alert in prayer and discerning the times.
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
What does Ira mean in the Bible?
Ira means "Watchful; Vigilant" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Ira is a Hebrew name meaning 'watchful' or 'vigilant.' In the Bible, Ira the Jairite served as King David's priest and advisor. The name connects to the biblical call to spiritual watchfulness — staying alert in prayer and discerning the times.
Where does Ira appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Ira is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with 2 Samuel 20:26. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Which books of the Bible mention Ira?
Ira is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Ira?
Ira embodies spiritual vigilance — the disciplined watchfulness that keeps believers ready for God's direction.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Ira:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Devotional
Hebrews 13:8 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Faithfulness
Word Meaning
Fear (Yirah) (יִרְאָה (yirah))
Reverent awe — the trembling wonder and holy respect that constitutes true wisdom.
Strong's
Strong's H3374 — Fear (Yirah)
יִרְאָה (yirah) • Reverent awe — the trembling wonder and holy respect that constitutes true wisdom.
Commentary
Psalm 33:18 Commentary
In-depth study • God Watches Over the Faithful
Commentary
Hebrews 13:8 Commentary
In-depth study • The Unchanging Christ
Word Meaning
Wisdom (חָכְמָה (chokmah))
Skillful living and moral discernment grounded in the fear of the Lord.
What names are related to Ira?
Names like Ira
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Watchful; Vigilant" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Ira
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Ira
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Ira name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Ira appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Samuel 20:26.
Ira means "Watchful; Vigilant." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 2 Samuel 20:26, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Ira comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Watchful; Vigilant." It appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Samuel 20:26.
Common questions about the name Ira
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Ira?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Ira?
You can read every verse where Ira appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.