Zair
“Small or little”
Summary
A place in Edom where King Joram of Judah fought the Edomites, though its exact location remains unidentified.
☩The Battle
Zair is mentioned only in connection with King Joram's expedition against the Edomites after they had revolted from Judah's dominion. Joram advanced to Zair with all his chariots, where he was surrounded by the Edomite forces and had to fight his way out by night. The parallel account in 2 Chronicles 21:9 omits the name Zair, replacing it with 'with his captains,' suggesting possible textual corruption.
☩Location
The exact location of Zair has not been identified. Some scholars have conjectured it may be identical with Zoar at the southern end of the Dead Sea, which lay on the route an army would take from Judea into Edom. Others suggest it may be a corruption of 'Seir,' the broader name for Edomite territory.
Related Verses1 mention
2 Kings· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Zair," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Zair," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).