Lexical Summary Elmadam: Elmadam Original Word: Ἐλμαδάμ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Elmodam. Of Hebrew origin (perhaps for antiloidoreo); Elmodam, an Israelite -- Elmodam. see HEBREW 'Almowdad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin, perhaps for Almodad Definition Elmadam, an Isr. NASB Translation Elmadam (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1678: ἘλμωδάμἘλμωδάμ (Lachmann Ἐλμαδάμ, T Tr WH Ἐλμαδαμ (on the breathing in manuscripts see Tdf. Proleg., p. 107)), ὁ, Elmodam or Elmadam, proper name of one of the ancestors of Christ: Luke 3:28. Topical Lexicon Name and Possible Meaning Elmadam is a personal name appearing only once in the Greek New Testament. While the precise Hebrew origin is uncertain, many scholars see the initial element “El-” (“God”) and suggest a second element derived from roots for “love,” “measure,” or “blood,” yielding proposals such as “God is Beloved” or “God has Measured.” Whatever the etymology, the name testifies to the common Israelite practice of embedding theological truth in personal names, acknowledging the sovereignty of God over each life. Canonical Occurrence Luke 3:28: “the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er”. Position in Luke’s Genealogy 1. Elmadam stands midway between Zerubbabel’s generation (Luke 3:27) and the patriarchs listed later (Luke 3:34-38). Comparison with Matthew’s Genealogy Matthew 1 omits Elmadam because Matthew structures his record around legal descent through Solomon, while Luke traces biological descent through Nathan. The divergence highlights complementary truths: royal legitimacy (Matthew) and physical ancestry (Luke). The appearance of Elmadam in Luke alone reinforces the independence and reliability of the two witnesses rather than exposing contradiction. Historical Context The post-exilic generations were marked by rebuilding, both physically and spiritually (Ezra and Nehemiah). Names from this era often preserve memories of God’s faithfulness amid foreign domination. Although Scripture offers no narrative about Elmadam’s personal life, his inclusion signals that anonymous believers played indispensable roles in sustaining covenant hope until the fullness of time. Theological Significance 1. Providence in Obscurity: God works through known leaders and hidden saints alike (compare Hebrews 11:32-38). Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship • Faithfulness, not fame, secures a place in God’s redemptive plan. Related Old Testament Parallels Though no direct Old Testament figure bears the identical spelling, parallels exist in genealogical segments such as 1 Chronicles 3:17-24 (post-exilic descendants of David) where little-known names collectively testify to divine preservation. Summary Elmadam, encountered only in Luke 3:28, reminds readers that every person in salvation history—celebrated or obscure—rests under the sovereign hand of God, and each thread is necessary in weaving the lineage that culminates in “Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). Forms and Transliterations έλει έλη Ελμαδαμ Ἐλμαδάμ Ἐλμαδὰμ ελμωνί έλος Elmadam ElmadámLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |