And Segub fathered Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
1 Chronicles 2:22
What does 1 Chronicles 2:22 mean?
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
1 Chronicles 2:22
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It’s easy to gloss over Jair as just another name in a long genealogy, but the text highlights his twenty-three cities in Gilead. This detail elevates him from a mere ancestor to a significant landowner and leader, showing how God's favor and blessing can manifest in tangible, earthly achievements.
And Segub fathered Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a long genealogy tracing the descendants of Israel, particularly focusing on the lineage of King David. It appears after listing various sons and grandsons, highlighting specific accomplishments or holdings like Jair's cities, which shows how these families established themselves and their territories within the promised land, setting the stage for future historical accounts.
Ever feel like your contributions are just a small part of a much bigger story? This verse connects individuals across generations, reminding us that God's faithfulness weaves through them all.
A Lineage Carried Forward
Chronicles is all about tracing the lineage, especially the one leading to David and ultimately, Jesus. Even though Jair isn't a major character, his existence is noted because he's part of that crucial line. It's a powerful reminder that God notices and uses seemingly ordinary people in His grand, unfolding plan.
Significance of "Cities"
The mention of "twenty-three cities" isn't just a random detail. In the Old Testament, possessing land and cities symbolized God's blessing and the fulfillment of His promises to His people. It points to covenant faithfulness and the inheritance God provides.
Understand the original words
Ya'iyr · Hebrew Proper Noun
A masculine name meaning 'he enlightens'; he is a significant figure in the tribe of Manasseh who acquired control over territory in Gilead.
Ask a follow-up
The mention of Jair and his cities in Gilead grounds this genealogical detail in the historical reality of Israelite settlement and territorial development in the Transjordan, a region that later faced significant external pressures.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites under Joshua conquered the land of Canaan. This established their presence and tribal inheritances.
c. 1370-1070 BC
Period of the Judges
After Joshua's death, Israel experienced cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance under various judges. This era saw the consolidation of tribal territories.
c. 1100 BC
Settlement in Gilead
Tribes like Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh (half-tribe) settled in the Transjordanian region, known as Gilead. This area became a significant territory for these tribes.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy Established
Saul, David, and Solomon ruled a united Israel. During this time, territorial claims and administrations were solidified across the kingdom.
c. 970 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united monarchy split into two kingdoms: Israel (North) and Judah (South). This division impacted regional control and relationships.
c. 900 BC— this verse
Jair's Cities Mentioned
The text highlights Jair, a descendant of Segub, possessing twenty-three cities in Gilead. This reflects a settled, established presence and administrative control in the region.
734-732 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Israel
The Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III conquered parts of northern Israel, deporting populations. This marked a significant loss of territory and sovereignty.
This passage directly states that Jair took sixty towns, and links them to the sons of Machir, son of Manasseh, offering a parallel narrative of Jair's territorial acquisitions and lineage.
Joshua 13:30This verse also mentions Jair and the villages he took, further solidifying the significance of his conquests and the cities he established in Gilead.
Deuteronomy 3:14This verse records that Jair took all the region of Argob in the days of Moses, providing an earlier context for the cities that would eventually be associated with his name and descendants.
It’s easy to gloss over Jair as just another name in a long genealogy, but the text highlights his twenty-three cities in Gilead. This detail elevates him from a mere ancestor to a significant landowner and leader, showing how God's favor and blessing can manifest in tangible, earthly achievements.
This verse is part of a long genealogy tracing the descendants of Israel, particularly focusing on the lineage of King David. It appears after listing various sons and grandsons, highlighting specific accomplishments or holdings like Jair's cities, which shows how these families established themselves and their territories within the promised land, setting the stage for future historical accounts.
This verse is part of a long genealogy tracing the descendants of Israel, particularly focusing on the lineage of King David. It appears after listing various sons and grandsons, highlighting specific accomplishments or holdings like Jair's cities, which shows how these families established themselves and their territories within the promised land, setting the stage for future historical accounts.
"And Segub fathered Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead." — It’s easy to gloss over Jair as just another name in a long genealogy, but the text highlights his twenty-three cities in Gilead. This detail elevates him from a mere ancestor to a significant land…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026