Ἰαννά

Jannai

Definition

Ἰαννά (Jannai) is a proper masculine noun that refers to an individual named Jannai, who appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. He is specifically identified as the son of Joseph and the father of Melchi (Luke 3:24). As a name in a genealogical list, its primary sense is to denote a specific historical person within the lineage of Jesus, connecting Him to the ancestry of David and Abraham. No other meanings or senses are attested for this word in biblical Greek, as it is solely used as a personal name in this single context.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exactly once in the New Testament, in Luke 3:24, within the genealogy that traces Jesus's ancestry back to Adam. Its usage is purely genealogical, serving to list a name in the sequence of Jesus's forefathers. There are no patterns of usage across different books or contexts, as it is a unique reference to a single individual in a specific list.

Etymology

The name Ἰαννά (Ianna) is of Greek origin, but it likely represents a Hellenized form of a Hebrew or Aramaic name. It is not derived from a common Greek root with a broader meaning; it functions solely as a proper personal name. Similar names appear in other historical and textual contexts, but its specific derivation and original Semitic form are uncertain.

Semantic Range

While the name Jannai itself is not theologically loaded, its inclusion in Luke's genealogy (Luke 3:23-38) is theologically significant. It affirms Jesus's genuine human lineage and His connection to the covenant promises made to David and Abraham. Understanding that this is a specific historical person enriches the reading by emphasizing the concrete, historical reality of Jesus's ancestry as part of God's plan of salvation.

In the cultural setting of first-century Judaism, genealogies were of paramount importance for establishing lineage, inheritance rights, and, for some, messianic claims. The inclusion of names like Jannai in Luke's record underscores the careful preservation of family history. The name itself, as a Hellenized form, reflects the cultural interplay between Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds in this period.

There are no direct synonyms, as this is a unique proper name. Other names in the same genealogical list serve a similar function but refer to different individuals (e.g., Ἰωσήφ (Iōsēph, G2501) — Joseph, the preceding name; Μελχί (Melchi, G3197) — Melchi, the following name).

Word Details

Scripture References