Lexical Summary Er: Er Original Word: Ἔρ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Er. Of Hebrew origin (Er); Er, an Israelite -- Er. see HEBREW Er NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Er Definition Er, an Isr. NASB Translation Er (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2262: ἦρἦρ, Lachmann ἦρ (on the breathing in manuscripts see Tdf. Proleg., p. 107) (עֵר watchful, from עוּר to be awake), Er, one of the ancestors of Christ: Luke 3:28. Topical Lexicon Name and Identity Er appears in the New Testament solely in Luke 3:28 as an ancestor in the genealogy of Jesus Christ: “the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er”. Though the Greek spelling reflects the Septuagint form of a Hebrew name, Luke provides no additional personal data. Er therefore functions entirely as a genealogical link in the inspired record. Canonical Occurrence • Luke 3:28 – the only New Testament reference. Place in the Messiah’s Line In Luke’s genealogy Er stands between Elmadam and Joshua, several generations after the Babylonian exile (Luke 3:23-38). This section of the lineage traces through lesser-known descendants, demonstrating that divine providence preserved the messianic line not only through famous figures such as Zerubbabel and David but also through otherwise obscure individuals like Er. Every name in the list affirms that the Savior entered real human history and shares genuine solidarity with all people (Hebrews 2:14). Interplay with Old Testament Er Figures The Old Testament twice mentions a man named Er, both in the tribe of Judah (Genesis 38:3-7; 1 Chronicles 4:21). Luke’s Er cannot be the same individual, since Judah and Perez appear much earlier in Luke’s list (Luke 3:33). Nevertheless, the recurrence of the name reminds the reader that God often weaves common family names through successive generations, binding the Testaments together in a unified redemptive story. Genealogy and Covenant Faithfulness Luke arranges his genealogy to move backward from Jesus to Adam, highlighting the universal scope of salvation. By including Er, Luke underscores two theological truths: 1. God keeps covenant promises through every generation, even when individual names fade from human memory (Psalm 105:8-10). Expositional Insights • Integrity of Scripture: The solitary appearance of Er counters the notion that the Gospel writers fabricated pedigrees. The presence of otherwise unattested names argues for the use of authentic family records rather than literary invention. Pastoral and Ministry Application 1. Encouragement for the Unnoticed—Believers who labor without public recognition can identify with Er; their faithfulness is nonetheless written in God’s book (Malachi 3:16). Conclusion Though Er receives only a brief mention, his position in Luke 3:28 contributes to the Gospel’s overarching witness: Jesus Christ is the promised Redeemer whose ancestry fulfills covenant expectations. Er’s quiet presence encourages confidence in the meticulous faithfulness of God, who employs both prominent and hidden servants to advance His redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations Ηρ Ἤρ Ἢρ ηρεμάζων ηρέμαζων er Ēr ḖrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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