2069. Hesli

Lexical Summary

Hesli: Hesli

Original Word: Ἡσλί
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Hesli
Pronunciation: HES-lee
Phonetic Spelling: (es-lee')
KJV: Esli
NASB: Hesli
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (probably for H454 (אֶליְהוֹעֵינַי אֶליוֹעֵינַי - Elyhoenai))]

1. Esli, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Esli.

Of Hebrew origin (probably for Elyhow'eynay); Esli, an Israelite -- Esli.

see HEBREW Elyhow'eynay

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin
Definition
Hesli, an Isr.
NASB Translation
Hesli (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2069: Ἐσλει

Ἐσλει (T Tr WH (see WH's Appendix, p. 155, and under the word εἰ, ἰ)) or Ἐσλί, ὁ, Esli, one of Christ's ancestors: Luke 3:25.

Topical Lexicon

Scriptural Occurrence

Esli appears a single time in the New Testament, in Luke 3:25, within the genealogy tracing Jesus Christ “being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph” (Luke 3:23). The verse reads: “the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai” (Luke 3:25).

Genealogical Placement in Luke

1. Part of Luke’s unique series of eighteen post-exilic names absent from the Old Testament.
2. Situated between Nahum and Naggai, falling in the seventh generation after Zerubbabel (Luke 3:27) and roughly the eighth generation before Joseph (Luke 3:23).
3. Linked to the Davidic line through Nathan rather than Solomon, a branch generally interpreted to represent Mary’s ancestry, demonstrating Jesus’ physical descent from David apart from the royal line that culminated in Jeconiah (compare Jeremiah 22:30).

Historical Context

The generations from Zerubbabel to Joseph span the so-called Intertestamental Period (circa 500–4 BC). Though Scripture records no deeds or dates for Esli, his placement implies:
• He lived when Persian dominion was giving way to Hellenistic rule.
• Jewish communities were scattered yet preserving family records and covenant hopes.
• Faithful households maintained genealogical registers—vital for land rights, Levitical service, and, ultimately, Messianic identification.

Theological Significance

1. Preservation of Promise. Every name in Luke 3 testifies that God safeguarded a human lineage for the promised “offspring” (Genesis 3:15) despite exile, foreign domination, and cultural upheaval.
2. Integrity of Scripture. Luke’s inclusion of otherwise unknown individuals such as Esli argues against legendary fabrication; invented heroes typically receive stories, whereas true archival lists often leave names unexplained.
3. Fulfillment of Prophecy. Luke’s genealogy shows that Jesus meets covenant requirements: Son of Abraham (Genesis 22:18), Son of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), and Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). Esli’s unobtrusive link helps span the centuries between David and Christ without rupture.

Relationship to Old Testament Genealogies

The Old Testament supplies no parallel for Esli, underscoring the complementary nature of the two canonical genealogies (Matthew 1; Luke 3). Where Matthew moves forward from Abraham through Solomon to Joseph, Luke moves backward from Jesus through Nathan to Adam, each list highlighting different legal or physical lines yet harmonizing in key anchor points (David, Abraham). Esli’s absence from earlier records exemplifies Luke’s dependence on alternative family archives—likely maternal—and, ultimately, divine revelation (Luke 1:3-4).

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Value Hidden Faithfulness: Esli’s obscurity reminds believers that God notices every faithful generation, even when human history does not.
• Trust Providential Detail: The meticulous naming of an otherwise unknown ancestor encourages confidence that “all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16).
• Embrace Intergenerational Responsibility: Just as Esli’s place mattered for the advent of Christ, present-day disciples transmit a spiritual heritage whose significance may unfold long after they are gone.

Forms and Transliterations

Εσλει Ἐσλεί Ἑσλὶ esli Hesli Heslì

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 3:25 N
GRK: Ναούμ τοῦ Ἑσλὶ τοῦ Ναγγαί
NAS: the son of Nahum, the son of Hesli, the son of Naggai,
KJV: which was [the son] of Naum, which was [the son] of Esli, which was [the son] of Nagge,
INT: of Nahum of Esli of Naggai

Strong's Greek 2069
1 Occurrence

Ἑσλὶ — 1 Occ.