Ἀμώς

Amos

Definition

Ἀμώς (Amos) refers to a man named Amos, who appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Luke 3:25. He is identified as the son of Manasseh and the father of Josiah, making him an ancestor in the Davidic line. This name is distinct from the Old Testament prophet Amos, as this New Testament figure is only mentioned in this specific genealogical context. The name itself carries the meaning 'burden' or 'burden-bearer,' which is significant given its prophetic Old Testament counterpart, but for this individual, it functions solely as a proper name within a historical list.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exactly once in the New Testament, in Luke 3:25, within the genealogy tracing Jesus's lineage back to Adam. It functions purely as a proper name to identify a specific ancestor. There is no narrative or doctrinal usage beyond this historical listing.

Etymology

The name Ἀμώς is of Hebrew origin (עָמוֹס, H5986), meaning 'burden' or 'burden-bearer.' It is derived from the Hebrew verb עָמַס (amas), meaning 'to load' or 'to carry.' The Greek form is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name. This etymology connects it thematically to the Old Testament prophet Amos, whose prophecies were a 'burden' concerning Israel and Judah.

Semantic Range

While the name Ἀμώς itself is not theologically loaded in its single New Testament occurrence, its placement in Luke's genealogy (Luke 3:23-38) is theologically significant. It highlights Jesus's genuine human ancestry, connecting him to the line of David and, ultimately, to all humanity through Adam. Understanding that this name means 'burden' can symbolically enrich the reading of the genealogy, as Jesus, a descendant of a 'burden-bearer,' came to bear the ultimate burden of sin for humanity (John 1:29).

In both Hebrew and Greco-Roman cultures, names were often meaningful and not merely labels. The name 'Amos' ('burden') would have been recognized by Greek-speaking Jews familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures and the prophetic book of Amos. Its use in a genealogy signifies the preservation of a Hebrew name within a Greek text, reflecting the Jewish heritage of the early Christian community. The cultural practice of detailed genealogies was important for establishing lineage, rights, and identity.

There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. Other names in the same genealogy serve a similar function of identifying ancestors, such as Ἰωσήφ (Iōsēph, G2501) — Joseph, the husband of Mary, or Δαυίδ (Dauid, G1138) — King David.

Word Details

Scripture References