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Iram

biblical_person theological_term standard

Iram is an Edomite chief listed among the descendants of Esau in Genesis and 1 Chronicles.

At a Glance

Iram is an Old Testament genealogical name for a chief of Edom, with significance that is historical and tribal rather than doctrinal.

Key Points

Description

Iram appears in the Old Testament as one of the chiefs of Edom in the genealogical lists associated with Esau’s descendants. The name belongs to the historical record of the nations related to Israel and functions as a tribal marker within Edom’s clan structure. Scripture does not develop a doctrine under this name; its value lies in preserving the biblical account of Esau’s line and the organization of Edom. Because it is a proper name, it should be classified as a biblical-person entry rather than a theological term.

Biblical Context

Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1 both list Iram among the chiefs of Edom. These passages belong to the biblical record of Esau’s descendants and the early tribal organization of Edom.

Historical Context

Edom was the nation descended from Esau, Israel’s brother. The chief lists reflect clan leadership and provide a snapshot of Edomite identity in the Old Testament period.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Ancient genealogies often preserved tribal heads, family lines, and related nations. In that setting, Iram functions as a clan-level designation within Edom rather than as a figure of theological development.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

The name is a Hebrew proper name transliterated as Iram. Its exact meaning is uncertain, and no doctrinal significance is attached to the etymology.

Theological Significance

Iram has no direct doctrinal teaching of its own, but the passage preserves the biblical memory of Esau’s descendants and the nations surrounding Israel.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper name in a genealogy, Iram illustrates how Scripture records real people, clans, and historical relationships rather than only abstract religious ideas.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not build doctrine or typology from a bare genealogical notice. The entry should be read as a historical identifier within the Edomite clan lists.

Major Views

There is no major interpretive dispute about the basic identification of Iram: he is listed as an Edomite chief in the genealogies of Esau’s descendants.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry is not a theological doctrine, office, covenant, or spiritual category. It is a biblical proper name tied to Edomite genealogy.

Practical Significance

Iram reminds readers that Scripture pays attention to real peoples and nations, even in brief genealogical records. It also highlights the historical distinction between Israel and Edom.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Iram

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