Κωσάμ

Cosam

Definition

Κωσάμ (Cosam) is a proper masculine noun referring to a specific individual in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. He is identified as the son of Elmadam and the father of Addi, appearing exclusively in the lineage recorded in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 3:28). As a genealogical name, it carries no additional semantic meaning beyond identifying this ancestral link in the line from David to Jesus. The name serves solely to mark a point in the historical, legal descent of Jesus through his supposed father, Joseph.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 3:28, within the genealogy of Jesus. Its usage is strictly onomastic (pertaining to a name) and genealogical, with no narrative or descriptive function. It appears in a list format as part of Luke's historical record tracing Jesus's ancestry back to Adam.

Etymology

Κωσάμ is a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew or Aramaic personal name. Its exact etymological root in Semitic languages is uncertain, though it may be related to the Hebrew word for 'diviner' (קֹסֵם, qosem). As a transliterated name adopted into the Greek text, its meaning was likely opaque to Greek readers, functioning primarily as an identifier.

Semantic Range

While the name Κωσάμ itself is not theologically loaded, its inclusion is theologically significant. It represents a link in the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Each name in Luke's genealogy, including Cosam, underscores the historical reality and human lineage of Jesus Christ, affirming his identity as the promised Messiah who is both fully God and fully man, rooted in a specific family history.

In first-century Jewish culture, genealogies were of paramount importance for establishing lineage, tribal identity, inheritance rights, and messianic claims. A name like Cosam, preserved in a family record, signified legitimate descent. For Luke's original audience, which included Gentiles, the inclusion of such a detailed genealogy demonstrated that Jesus's claim was based on a verifiable, historical lineage, in contrast to the mythical genealogies of pagan gods.

There are no direct synonyms, as it is a proper name. Other names in the same genealogical list serve a similar function (e.g., Ἀδδί (Addi, G78) — Cosam's son; Ἐλμαδάμ (Elmadam, G1678) — Cosam's father).

Word Details

Scripture References