And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

JUDGES 10:4KJV
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Judges 10:4 (KJV)

What does Judges 10:4 mean?

Judges 10:4 describes how Jair, a leader in Israel, had thirty sons who each rode on a donkey colt and controlled thirty cities in the region of Gilead, which were known as Havothjair at the time the text was written. The verse highlights the wealth, influence, and reach of Jair’s family during his leadership.

The verse is part of a brief summary about Jair, one of the judges who led Israel after Tola. The mention of thirty sons, each with a donkey and a city, paints a picture of a powerful family with significant resources and authority. The cities called Havothjair (“villages of Jair”) show that Jair’s legacy was remembered in the names of these towns in Gilead.

The Hebrew behind Judges 10:4

  • חַוֹּת יָאִיר (Havothjair, ḥavvoth-ya'ir): This phrase means “villages of Jair.” The use of “villages” rather than “cities” in the name may suggest smaller settlements or outposts, emphasizing the extent of Jair’s family influence rather than urban centers.
  • עֲיָרִים (cities, ḥavot): The word for “cities” here can refer to towns or settlements, not necessarily large urban areas. This helps clarify that Jair’s sons ruled over a network of communities, not just major cities.
  • גִּלְעָד (Gilead, gil'ad): This is the region east of the Jordan River, known for its rugged terrain and history as a place of settlement for some Israelite tribes. Naming the location roots the story in a specific, well-known area.

Why Judges 10:4 matters

  • The verse shows how leadership in this period could be closely tied to family networks and personal wealth, as seen in Jair’s sons each having their own donkey and city.
  • The mention of “Havothjair unto this day” suggests that the memory of Jair’s rule and his family’s settlements lasted long after his lifetime, showing the lasting impact of his leadership.
  • This verse helps set the stage for the cycles of leadership in the book of Judges, where each judge’s influence is often marked by their family, possessions, and the territory they controlled.

Where else these words appear

“Havothjair” Hebrew H2334 · used in 3 verses

  • Numbers 32:41 And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair.
  • Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day.

“colts” Hebrew H5895 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Judges 12:14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.
  • Isaiah 30:6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

“rode” Hebrew H7392 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 24:61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
  • 1 Kings 1:44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:
  • Psalms 66:12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

“Gilead” Hebrew H1568 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 31:21 So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.
  • Judges 10:18 And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
  • 2 Kings 9:4 So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramothgilead.