John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite , etc.] Who was of the half tribe of Manasseh, on the other side Jordan, which inhabited the land of Gilead, and who is the first of the judges that was on that side Jordan; it pleased God, before the government was settled in a particular tribe, to remove it from one to another, and to honour them all, and to show that though the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, were separated from their brethren by the river Jordan, they were not neglected by the Lord; and generally speaking judges were raised up in all those parts which were most oppressed, and liable to be oppressed by their enemies, as Gilead by the Ammonites; wherefore this, and the next judge that followed him, Jephthah, were of Gilead: and judged Israel twenty two years ; protected them from their enemies, administered justice to them, and preserved them in the true religion.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Quiet and peaceable reigns, though the best to live in, yield leas variety of matter to be spoken of. Such were the days of Tola and Jair They were humble, active, and useful men, rulers appointed of God.
Original Hebrew ויקם6965 אחריו310 יאיר2971 הגלעדי1569 וישׁפט8199 את853 ישׂראל3478 עשׂרים6242 ושׁתים8147 שׁנה׃8141
