Ἡλί
Heli
Definition
Ἡλί (Heli) is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Eli, meaning 'My God' or 'God is high.' In the New Testament, it refers specifically to Heli, a figure listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Luke 3:23. He is presented as the father of Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, according to the lineage traced through Mary. This places Heli as a direct ancestor in the Davidic line, fulfilling messianic prophecies that the Christ would come from the house of David.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 3:23, within the context of Jesus's genealogy. It functions solely as a proper name identifying an individual in that ancestral list. There are no other contextual uses or patterns in the New Testament.
Etymology
The name Ἡλί is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name עֵלִי (Eli). It originates from Hebrew, meaning 'My God,' 'Ascension,' or 'God is high.' The Greek form preserves the sound and meaning of the original Semitic name, as was common for personal names in the Septuagint and New Testament.
Semantic Range
While primarily a proper name, Heli's inclusion in Luke's genealogy (Luke 3:23-38) is theologically significant. It establishes Jesus's legal descent from King David through his mother Mary, as Heli is understood to be Mary's father. This fulfills Old Testament prophecies, such as 2 Samuel 7:12-16, that the Messiah would come from David's line. Understanding this connection underscores the Gospel's presentation of Jesus as the promised Davidic king and Savior.
In first-century Jewish culture, genealogies were of paramount importance for establishing lineage, tribal affiliation, inheritance rights, and messianic claims. Listing Heli in a public genealogy certified Jesus's rightful place within the Davidic line. The name itself, meaning 'My God,' was a common Hebrew name reflecting piety and devotion, seen in figures like the high priest Eli in 1 Samuel.
No direct synonyms exist as this is a unique proper name. Other names in the Davidic genealogy, like Δαυίδ (David, G1138) or Ἰωσήφ (Joseph, G2501), are related by lineage but are distinct individuals.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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