Persons of the Bible: Letter I

As we enter the people of the Bible whose names begin with the letter I, we meet several central figures in God’s redemptive story. Isaac, the long-awaited son of promise, foreshadows the greater Son to come. Israel—born Jacob wrestles with God and is transformed by grace. Isaiah’s powerful prophecies shine light on the coming Savior with remarkable clarity. Even Ishmael’s story shows God’s compassion for those beyond the covenant line. Alongside these well-known names are many others—warriors, musicians, prophets, and ordinary families—whose lives remind us that God works through all people to carry forward His plan.

Ibhar

Ibhar was one of King David’s sons born to him in Jerusalem.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:15; 1 Chronicles 3:6

Ibneiah

Ibneiah was a Benjamite who lived in Jerusalem after the exile.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 9:8

Ibri

Ibri was a descendant of Merari listed among the Levites.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 24:27

Ichabod

Ichabod was the son of Phinehas and grandson of Eli. His name, meaning “the glory has departed,” marked the tragic moment when the ark of God was captured.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:19–22

Iconius (Apocrypha)

A name preserved in Greek historical sources related to early Jewish tradition.
Scripture: Historical/apocryphal references

Idbash

Idbash was a descendant of Judah, listed among the sons of Etam.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:3

Iddo

Iddo appears several times—one was a seer in the time of Jeroboam, another was a priestly ancestor of Zechariah.
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 9:29; Ezra 5:1

Iezer

Iezer was a son of Gilead and an ancestor of the Iezerites.
Scripture: Numbers 26:30

Igal (spy, son of Joseph)

Igal was one of the twelve spies, representing the tribe of Issachar.
Scripture: Numbers 13:7

Igal (son of Nathan)

Igal was one of David’s mighty warriors, distinguished among “the Thirty.”
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:36

Ikkesh

Ikkesh was the father of Ira the Tekoite, one of David’s mighty men.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:26

Ilai

Ilai was another of David’s mighty warriors, listed among “the Thirty.”
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:20; 1 Chronicles 11:29

Illyricus (Apocryphal)

A personal name found in late Jewish-Greek writings.
Scripture: Historical/apocryphal context

Imlah

Imlah was the father of Micaiah, the prophet who boldly spoke the Lord’s truth to Ahab.
Scripture: 1 Kings 22:8–14

Immanuel

Immanuel, meaning “God with us,” is the prophetic name given in Isaiah that points forward to Jesus, the incarnate presence of God among His people.
Scripture: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23

Immer

Immer was the ancestor of several priestly families; many of his descendants served after the exile.
Scripture: Ezra 2:37; Nehemiah 7:40

Imnah

Imnah was one of the sons of Asher listed in the tribal genealogies.
Scripture: Genesis 46:17

Imrah

Imrah was a descendant of Asher, listed among the tribal families.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 7:36

Iphdeiah

Iphdeiah was a descendant of Benjamin, listed among the sons of Shashak.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 8:25

Ir

Ir was a Benjamite patriarch whose descendants lived in Jerusalem after the exile.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 9:35–38

Ira (the Jairite)

Ira the Jairite served as a priest or chief minister to King David.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 20:26

Ira (son of Ikkesh)

Ira was one of David’s mighty warriors from Tekoa.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:26

Ira (the Ithrite)

Another Ira is listed among “the Thirty,” demonstrating the prominence of this name in David’s ranks.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:38

Irad

Irad was a descendant of Cain, listed early in the genealogies of Genesis.
Scripture: Genesis 4:18

Iram

Iram was a descendant of Esau and was listed among the chiefs of Edom.
Scripture: Genesis 36:27

Iri

Iri was a Benjamite ancestor listed among the sons of Bela.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 7:7

Irijah

Irijah was the captain of the guard who arrested Jeremiah on suspicion of desertion during the Babylonian siege.
Scripture: Jeremiah 37:13–15

Irpeel

Primarily a location; it appears as a personal-style entry in variant records.
Scripture: Joshua 18:27

Iru

Iru was the son of Caleb, listed among the family heads of Judah.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:15

Iruel (genealogical variant)

A rare genealogical variation found in later textual traditions.
Scripture: Genealogical variant

Isa

Isa is a shortened variant that appears in some genealogical lines;
Scripture: Genealogical variant

Isaac

Isaac was the son of promise, born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Through him the covenant continued, pointing forward to Jesus, the greater promised Son. His willingness to be offered on Mount Moriah foreshadows Christ’s sacrifice, and the Lord’s provision shows His faithfulness to save.
Scripture: Genesis 17–22; Genesis 26; Hebrews 11:17–20

Isaiah

Isaiah, one of Israel’s greatest prophets, proclaimed God’s holiness, warned of judgment, and offered hope through the promise of the Messiah. His prophecies describe Christ’s birth, suffering, and future kingdom with remarkable clarity, showing how redemption rests in God’s servant, Jesus.
Scripture: Isaiah 1–66; Matthew 3:3; Luke 4:17–21

Ishbah

Ishbah was a descendant of Judah, listed among the family leaders of Eshtemoa.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:17

Ishbak

Ishbak was one of the sons born to Abraham through Keturah.
Scripture: Genesis 25:2

Ishbi-benob

Ishbi-benob was a Philistine giant who fought against David but was slain by Abishai.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:16–17

Ish-bosheth

Ish-bosheth, also called Eshbaal, was Saul’s son who briefly ruled Israel after Saul’s death. His fragile reign highlights how God had chosen David as king and was guiding Israel toward the line of the Messiah.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 2–4

Ishhod

Ishhod was a son of Zerubbabel, listed among post-exilic descendants of David.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 3:20

Ishma

Ishma was a descendant of Asher, listed among the tribal families.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 7:30

Ishmael (son of Abraham)

Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar, became the father of many nations. Though not the child of the covenant, God heard him, blessed him, and protected his descendants, showing His compassion even outside the chosen line that leads to Christ.
Scripture: Genesis 16; Genesis 21:8–21; Genesis 25:12–18

Ishmael (son of Nethaniah)

Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, assassinated Gedaliah, the governor of Judah, following the Babylonian invasion, further fueling turmoil among the remnant.
Scripture: Jeremiah 40–41

Ishmael (multiple individuals)

Other men named Ishmael appear in post-exilic genealogies and among priestly families.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:25; 1 Chronicles 8:38

Ishmaiah

Ishmaiah the Gibeonite was one of David’s warriors and a leader among the mighty men.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:4

Ishmerai

Ishmerai was a descendant of Benjamin, listed among the sons of Shashak.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 8:18

Ishpan

Ishpan was a Benjamite, one of the descendants listed in the genealogies of Jerusalem’s families.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 8:22

Ishvah

Ishvah was a son of Asher, listed among the tribal family founders.
Scripture: Genesis 46:17

Ishvi (son of Asher)

Ishvi was another son of Asher, listed among the patriarchs of the tribe.
Scripture: Genesis 46:17

Ishvi (son of Saul)

Another Ishvi was one of King Saul's sons.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:49

Ishvite (designation)

Refers to descendants of Ishvi; not a single individual.
Scripture: Numbers 26:44–45

Ismachiah

Ismachiah was a faithful officer appointed to oversee the offerings during King Hezekiah’s reforms.
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 31:13

Israel (Jacob)

Israel, originally named Jacob, was the son of Isaac and the father of the twelve tribes. After wrestling with God, he received a new name that signified God’s covenant with His people. His life—marked by struggle, blessing, and transformation—points toward the grace that God extends to imperfect people and prepares the way for the coming of Jesus, the true Israel who fulfills God’s promises.
Scripture: Genesis 25–35; Genesis 46; Hosea 12:2–6

Issachar (person)

Issachar was the fifth son of Leah and Jacob’s ninth son. His descendants formed one of Israel’s tribes, known later for wisdom and discernment—men who “understood the times.”
Scripture: Genesis 30:17–18; Genesis 49:14–15; 1 Chronicles 12:32

Ithamar

Ithamar was the youngest son of Aaron and served as a priest. His descendants continued in priestly roles throughout Israel’s history.
Scripture: Exodus 6:23; Exodus 38:21

Ithai (variant of Ittai)

A variant spelling of Ittai
Scripture: Variant of 2 Samuel 15

Ithai (Ithai the Moabite)

Ithai appears in the list of David’s mighty men as a Moabite warrior.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:29

Ittai the Gittite

Ittai was a loyal foreign follower of David who pledged himself to the king during Absalom’s rebellion. His faithfulness stands as a powerful example of devotion rooted in trust, reflecting how God gathers people from every nation.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:19–22

Ittai (another mighty man)

Another Ittai served as one of David’s warriors, showing the popularity of this name in David’s ranks.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:29

Ituraean (designation)

Refers to people from Ituraea, the region ruled by Philip the Tetrarch.
Scripture: Luke 3:1

Ivvah (designation)

Primarily a location listed among cities conquered by Assyria, it appears personal in variant manuscripts.
Scripture: 2 Kings 18:34

Ivva (variant spelling)

A variant of Ivvah is preserved in some textual traditions.
Scripture: Genealogical/historical variant

Izehar (variant of Izhar)

A variant spelling of Izhar, appearing in some genealogical traditions.
Scripture: Variant of Exodus 6:18

Izhar

Izhar was a son of Kohath and ancestor of the Izharite clan among the Levites.
Scripture: Exodus 6:18; Numbers 3:19

Izharite

Refers to descendants of Izhar within the Levitical families.
Scripture: Numbers 3:27

Izliah

Izliah was a descendant of Benjamin, listed among the sons of Shashak.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 8:18

Izrahiah

Izrahiah was a chief man in the tribe of Issachar and head of a large family group.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 7:3

Izri

Izri was a leader among the musicians serving under King David.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 25:11

Izzo

A rare variant name found in later genealogical lists.
Scripture: Genealogical variant

Izziah

Izziah was one of the men who put away foreign wives in Ezra’s reforms.
Scripture: Ezra 10:25

Izkiah

Izkiah was a leader among the men of Judah who supported Hezekiah in cleansing the temple.
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 29:12

Izlah (variant of Izliah)

A variant rendering of the name Izliah, preserved in alternate manuscripts.
Scripture: Genealogical variant

Izrah (genealogical)

A minor name found among the genealogical records of Judah.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:17 (variant tradition)

Izvil (variant)

A very rare genealogical spelling variation appearing in later lists.
Scripture: Genealogical variant

Izzar (variant of Izhar)

A simple variant spelling of Izhar, retained for indexing completeness.
Scripture: Variant of Exodus 6:18

Izreel (designation)

Primarily a geographic reference, but included in personal-style variant entries.
Scripture: Joshua 15:56 (contextual)

Izri

Izri was a musician and leader of the fourth division under David.
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 25:11

Iztah (genealogical variant)

A marginal variant preserved in post-exilic genealogical manuscripts.
Scripture: Genealogical variant

Izzochar (variant)

A name appearing in later textual traditions as a genealogical extension of the Issachar line.
Scripture: Genealogical variant

Izzaiah (variant of Izziah)

A spelling variation of Izziah, one of the men in Ezra’s intermarriage reforms.
Scripture: Variant of Ezra 10:25

Izshiah

Izshiah was a Levite listed among the sons of Moses’ relatives who returned from exile.
Scripture: Ezra 8:3–4

Izzoan (genealogical variant)

A late genealogical variant preserved in extra-canonical listings.
Scripture: Genealogical variant

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The people we meet in this section help us see the heart of Scripture: God faithfully keeps His promises, transforms imperfect people, and guides His people toward redemption. Isaac’s trust, Jacob’s transformation, Isaiah’s vision, and the persistent mercy shown even to outsiders all point ahead to Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of God’s covenant.

As we move from the letter I to J, we will encounter more voices, more stories, and more reminders of God's faithfulness across generations.