2984. Lamech

Lexical Summary

Lamech: Lamech

Original Word: Λάμεχ
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Lamech
Pronunciation: LAH-mekh
Phonetic Spelling: (lam'-ekh)
KJV: Lamech
NASB: Lamech
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H3929 (לֶמֶך - Lamech))]

1. Lamech (i.e. Lemek), a patriarch

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Lamech.

Of Hebrew origin (Lemek); Lamech (i.e. Lemek), a patriarch -- Lamech.

see HEBREW Lemek

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Lemek
Definition
Lamech, a patriarch and an ancestor of Christ
NASB Translation
Lamech (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2984: Λάμεχ

Λάμεχ, ὁ (Hebrew לֶמֶך), Lamech, the father of Noah (Genesis 5:25ff): Luke 3:36.

Topical Lexicon

Name and Occurrence

Strong’s Greek 2984 appears once in the Greek New Testament, at Luke 3:36, rendering the personal name Λάμεχ (Lamech). Luke includes the name while tracing the human ancestry of Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Background

1. Lamech the descendant of Cain (Genesis 4:18-24) is remembered for introducing polygamy and for his boastful poem of vengeance.
2. Lamech the descendant of Seth (Genesis 5:25-31) is father of Noah. Upon naming his son he prophesied, “He will comfort us in the work and toil of our hands, because of the ground that the LORD has cursed” (Genesis 5:29). Luke cites this second Lamech.

Placement in Luke’s Genealogy

Luke 3:36 presents the sequence “...the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,” locating Lamech within the post-Eden line of promise that runs from Adam to Christ. Luke’s genealogy is arranged in reverse order, moving from Jesus back to “Adam, the son of God” (Luke 3:38). By inserting Lamech, Luke shows continuity with Genesis 5 and underscores that the Savior emerges from a traceable, historical lineage ordained by God.

Theological Themes

• Covenant Continuity: Lamech bridges pre-Flood humanity and the redemptive covenant initiated through Noah (Genesis 9:9). His appearance in Luke underscores that salvation history is unbroken from Eden to Calvary.
• Prophetic Rest: Lamech’s hope that Noah would “comfort” humanity anticipates the greater comfort fulfilled in Christ, who invites, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
• Judgment and Mercy: The violence of Cain’s line against which Lamech (Genesis 5) stood in contrast foreshadows the Flood. Luke’s citation reminds readers that Jesus, like Noah, provides an ark of salvation amid judgment.

Christological Connections

• Typology: Noah prefigures Jesus as a righteous deliverer; therefore, Lamech’s prophetic naming finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
• Sonship: By mentioning Lamech and Noah—both patriarchs—Luke heightens the declaration that Jesus is “Son of God,” heir to every covenant promise made through their line.
• Universal Scope: Luke, writing to a broader audience, shows that Jesus springs from a lineage that is not merely Jewish but human, tracing all the way to Adam. Inclusion of Lamech helps display this universal frame.

Historical Notes

Rabbinic tradition viewed Lamech as a man of faith who anticipated divine intervention. Early Christian writers (e.g., Irenaeus, Julius Africanus) cited Luke’s genealogy to demonstrate the reliability of the Gospel record, often highlighting names such as Lamech to argue for historical accuracy against Gnostic claims of myth.

Ministry Application

• Confidence in Scripture: The seamless agreement between Genesis 5 and Luke 3 equips believers to affirm the harmony of Old and New Testaments when teaching or defending the faith.
• Preaching Hope: Lamech’s expectation of comfort amid a cursed world resonates with contemporary audiences longing for relief; sermons can trace that hope from Lamech through Noah to its culmination in Christ.
• Discipleship: Genealogical passages, sometimes overlooked, model God’s meticulous care over generations; study groups can explore family blessings and responsibilities, inspired by the legacy Lamech passes to Noah.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 2984 marks Lamech as a vital link in the redemptive chain that runs from Adam to Jesus. His solitary New Testament appearance in Luke 3:36 calls attention to God’s faithfulness across millennia, the prophetic anticipation of rest, and the historical roots of the Gospel message.

Forms and Transliterations

Λαμεχ Λάμεχ λαμπάδια λαμπάδιον λαμπαδίου Lamech Lámech

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 3:36 N
GRK: Νῶε τοῦ Λάμεχ
NAS: the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
KJV: which was [the son] of Noe, which was [the son] of Lamech,
INT: of Noah of Lamech

Strong's Greek 2984
1 Occurrence

Λάμεχ — 1 Occ.