Lexical Summary Iónam: Jonam Original Word: Ἰωνάμ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jonan. Probably for Ioannes or Ionas; Jonan, an Israelite -- Jonan. see GREEK Ioannes see GREEK Ionas NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Definition Jonam, an Isr. NASB Translation Jonam (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2494: ΙωνανΙωναν and (so T Tr WH) Ἰωνάμ, ὁ, indeclinable (see Ἰωάννης), Jonah (or Jonam), one of the ancestors of Christ: Luke 3:30. Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrence Luke 3:30 lists “Jonam” as part of the legal ancestry of Jesus Christ recorded by Luke: “…son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim”. This is the sole mention of the name in the Greek New Testament. Place in Luke’s Genealogy 1. Luke traces the Lord’s lineage from Jesus back to Adam (Luke 3:23-38). Theological Significance of Genealogies • Validation of Messiahship: Old Testament prophecy required the Christ to spring from David’s house (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 11:1). Every name in Luke’s list—including Jonam—functions as a witness to the fulfillment of that promise. Possible Old Testament Parallels The name resembles Hebrew forms meaning “Yahweh has been gracious” or “Gift of Yahweh.” While no direct Old Testament individual bears the identical Greek spelling, similar Hebrew names (e.g., Johanan, Jehonan) appear in genealogical lists (1 Chronicles 3:15, 1 Chronicles 26:3). Such echoes suggest that Jonam’s family preserved a theophoric name honoring the LORD, a common post-exilic practice. Historical Context The post-exilic period (fifth–second centuries BC) saw the Jewish community regroup under Persian, Greek, and early Roman rule. Names like Jonam reflect lingering faith amid political obscurity. Though Scripture records no exploits for Jonam, his family evidently maintained covenant fidelity, intermarrying within the tribe of Judah and transmitting the hope of a coming Redeemer. Ministry Insights 1. Faithfulness in obscurity: Jonam’s silent witness encourages believers who serve God without public recognition (Colossians 3:23-24). Devotional Application Jonam’s hidden life reminds Christians that significance is defined by God’s purposes, not human fame. The Lord who recorded Jonam’s name likewise records the works of every servant in His book of remembrance (Malachi 3:16). Forms and Transliterations Ιωναμ Ἰωνάμ Ἰωνὰμ Ionam Ionám Iōnam IōnámLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |