Who is…
Hiram

also known as: Chiram, Hirom, Huram, Horam

Hebrew: חִירָ֨ם —meaning: “high-born” or “my brother is exalted”

This is the name of 3 biblical men.

  1. Prince Hiram (aka Huram), one of the sons of King Bela of Edom (1 Chronicles 8:5)

  2. King Hiram I of Tyre, also called “Huram” and “Horam”

    According to Josephus, his father was King Abibaal.

    Under King Hiram’s rule, Tyre grew to become the most important of Phoenician cities.

    He entered into an alliance with King David of the United Kingdom of Israel, and assisted him in building his palace by sending him able workmen, and also cedar and fir trees from Lebanon (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Chronicles 14:1).

    Hiram also sent masons and stonecutters (quarrymen) to Jerusalem to assist Solomon’s workmen in building the Temple.

    See: Solmon’s Quarries

    After the death of David he entered into a similar alliance with his on Solomon, and assisted him greatly in building the First Temple in Jerusalem—sending Solomon architects, workmen, cedar wood, and gold for the project (1 Kings 5:1; 9:11; 2 Chronicles 2:3).

    Through the alliance with Solomon, Hiram ensured himself access to the major trade routes to Egypt, Arabia and Mesopotamia. The two kings also jointly opened a trade route over the Red Sea, connecting the Israelite harbour of Ezion-Geber with a land called Ophir (1 Kings 9:27; 10:11; 2 Chronicles 8:18; 9:10).

    According to the Bible, both kings grew rich through this trade.

    Hiram was succeeded as king of Tyre by his son Baal-Eser I. According to the ancient historian Josephus, Hiram lived for 53 years and reigned 34 years.

  3. Huram (aka Hiram), the “master workman” of whom King Hiram I (above) sent to Solomon

    His mother was a widow of Dan, and his father was of Tyre.

    In 2 Chronicles 2:13 “Huram my father” should be Huram Abi, the word “Abi” (rendered here “my father”) being regarded as a proper name, or it may perhaps be a title of distinction given to Huram, and equivalent to “master.” (Compare 1 Kings 7:14; 2 Chronicles 4:16.)

    In clay-beds in the valley of the Jordan, between Succoth and Zarthan, he cast the magnificent brass works for Solomon’s temple.

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Article Version: April 8, 2024