3518. Néri

Lexical Summary

Néri: Neri

Original Word: Νηρί
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Néri
Pronunciation: nay-REE
Phonetic Spelling: (nay-ree')
KJV: Neri
NASB: Neri
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H5374 (נֵרִיָה נֵרִיָהוּ - Neriah))]

1. Neri (i.e. Nerijah), an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Neri.

Of Hebrew origin (Neriyah); Neri (i.e. Nerijah), an Israelite -- Neri.

see HEBREW Neriyah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

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

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3518: Νηρί

Νηρί and (so T Tr WH) Νηρει (see εἰ, ἰ), ὁ (from נֵר, a lamp), Neri, the grandfather of Zerubbabel: Luke 3:27.

Topical Lexicon

Identification and Genealogical Placement

Neri appears once in the Greek New Testament, in Luke 3:27, within the lineage of Jesus Christ traced by Luke. The Berean Standard Bible reads: “the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri.” Luke’s genealogy moves backward from Jesus to Adam and places Neri between Shealtiel and Zerubbabel, presenting him as the biological father of Shealtiel and thus as an ancestor of Jesus through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31).

Historical and Biblical Background

1 Chronicles 3:17–19 records Shealtiel as a son of Jeconiah, the last king of Judah taken captive to Babylon. Luke, however, identifies Neri as Shealtiel’s father. Conservative interpreters have long harmonized the data by suggesting:

• Adoption or levirate marriage: Jeconiah may have legally adopted Shealtiel after Neri died without male heirs, or Shealtiel may have been born to Neri’s widow in fulfillment of levirate duty, thus carrying Neri’s bloodline while bearing the royal title of Jeconiah’s household.
• Maternal linkage: Luke’s genealogy is commonly viewed as Mary’s ancestry, providing the biological descent of Jesus through David’s non-royal son Nathan, whereas Matthew 1:6-16 presents Joseph’s legal line through Solomon and Jeconiah. This dual presentation preserves both the physical descent from David and the legal right to David’s throne while avoiding the curse pronounced on Jeconiah’s seed (Jeremiah 22:30). In that framework Neri stands as a key figure in the Nathanic branch.

Theological Significance in the Genealogy of Christ

1. Fulfillment of Davidic Covenant. By appearing in Luke’s genealogy, Neri participates in the chain that fulfills the promise that the Messiah would spring from David’s house (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 11:1). His inclusion underscores how God preserved a faithful remnant during and after the exile, ensuring the covenant line endured.
2. Preservation amid Exile. Neri belongs to the generation living in or soon after the Babylonian captivity. His placement shows how, even in judgment, the Lord preserved His redemptive purposes.
3. Bypassing the Jeconiah Curse. Linking Shealtiel to Neri rather than Jeconiah demonstrates God’s sovereign capacity to satisfy both His promise to David and His word of judgment on Jeconiah’s royal descendants. Jesus receives legal title through Joseph’s descent from Jeconiah (Matthew) but is biologically connected through Mary’s line where Neri displaces Jeconiah, shielding the Messiah from the curse.
4. Light Imagery. Neri’s name likely derives from the Hebrew root for “lamp” or “light.” In Scripture, divine light often symbolizes revelation and salvation (Psalm 119:105; John 8:12). Thus, even the meaning of Neri anticipates the coming of Jesus Christ, “the true Light that gives light to every man” (John 1:9).

Lessons for Faith and Ministry

• God’s faithfulness in details. A solitary name like Neri hidden in a genealogy reminds believers that every individual life can serve God’s unfolding plan.
• Genealogies matter. Far from being incidental, they testify to the historical reality of Scripture and anchor the gospel in verifiable history.
• Hope in exile. For those experiencing displacement or hardship, Neri’s appearance assures that God’s covenant purposes continue unabated.
• Balanced interpretation. Apparent tensions between Luke and Chronicles encourage careful, reverent study rather than hasty skepticism, knowing that Scripture harmonizes when rightly understood.

Summary and Key Truths

Neri, mentioned only in Luke 3:27, stands at a critical juncture in the lineage of Christ, linking the post-exilic community to the promised Messiah through David’s son Nathan. His brief yet strategic presence highlights God’s meticulous providence, His ability to reconcile judgment with mercy, and His unwavering commitment to bring the true Light into the world.

Forms and Transliterations

Νηρει Νηρεί Νηρὶ Neri Nerì Nēri Nērì

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 3:27 N
GRK: Σαλαθιήλ τοῦ Νηρὶ
NAS: the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
KJV: which was [the son] of Salathiel, which was [the son] of Neri,
INT: of Shealtiel of Neri

Strong's Greek 3518
1 Occurrence

Νηρὶ — 1 Occ.