Λάμεχ
Lamech
Definition
Λάμεχ (Lamech) is a proper name of Hebrew origin used in the New Testament to refer to a specific patriarch in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. In the biblical record, this Lamech is the son of Methuselah and the father of Noah, placing him in the line of Seth (Genesis 5:25-31). His mention in Luke 3:36 serves to connect Jesus' lineage directly back to Adam, emphasizing Christ's identity as the promised seed who would undo the curse of sin. The name itself carries no distinct Greek meaning, as it is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 3:36, within the genealogy of Jesus. It is used strictly as a proper name to identify a specific ancestor in the lineage from Adam to Jesus. The context is purely genealogical, with no narrative or doctrinal usage beyond establishing historical descent.
Etymology
Λάμεχ is a direct Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name לֶמֶךְ (Lamek). The Hebrew name's etymology is uncertain but may be related to a root suggesting 'strong youth' or 'powerful.' The Greek New Testament simply adopts the Hebrew name without translating its meaning, using it as an identifier for the patriarch.
Semantic Range
Lamech's inclusion in Luke's genealogy (Luke 3:36) is theologically significant as it anchors Jesus Christ within the historical, physical lineage of Adam and the patriarchs. This fulfills the promise of a coming seed (Genesis 3:15) and presents Jesus as the true heir to the covenants. Understanding that this is the same Lamech from Genesis 5, who lived 777 years and fathered Noah, the preserver of humanity, enriches the reading by showing Luke's careful tracing of redemptive history from creation to its culmination in Christ.
In the first-century Greco-Roman world, genealogies were important for establishing heritage, rights, and social status. Luke's inclusion of Hebrew names like Lamech would affirm to both Jewish and Gentile readers the ancient, prophetic, and historically grounded nature of Jesus' identity as the Messiah from the line of Adam.
No direct synonyms exist as it is a unique proper name. Other patriarchs in the same genealogy serve a similar identificatory function but are distinct individuals (e.g., Μαθουσάλα (Mathousala, G3103) — Methuselah, Lamech's father; Νῶε (Nōe, G3575) — Noah, Lamech's son).
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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