Semis
## The Genealogical Link Semis appears exclusively in the genealogy of Jesus presented in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 3:26). He is listed as part of the lineage that traces Jesus's ancestry back through King David to Adam and ultimately to God. The genealogy in Luke 3:23-38 works backward from Jesus to Adam, and Semis is positioned as one of the many generations connecting Joseph, Jesus's legal father, to the royal line of David.
## Role in the Davidic Line Semis's primary significance is his place in the chain of descent. He is identified as "the son of Joseph, the son of Judah" (Luke 3:30) in the list that culminates with "the son of Adam, the son of God" (Luke 3:38). This genealogical record was critically important for establishing Jesus's legal right to the throne of David, a necessary qualification for the Jewish Messiah as prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 11:1). By including Semis and other otherwise unknown individuals, Luke demonstrates that God's promise to David was preserved through many generations, often through obscure figures.
## Historical and Textual Considerations The name "Semis" (Greek: Σεμεΐν, Semein) is found only in Luke's genealogy. Some ancient manuscript traditions and translations, including the King James Version, render the name as "Semei." Scholars note that names in biblical genealogies sometimes vary between different textual traditions, but the consistency of Luke's overall genealogical structure remains. Unlike Matthew's genealogy, which highlights key figures in Israel's history, Luke's list includes many names not found elsewhere in Scripture, emphasizing the continuity and humanity of Jesus's lineage.
## Theological Significance of Obscurity The inclusion of Semis, about whom nothing else is known, carries a subtle theological message. It shows that God's redemptive plan advanced through ordinary people across generations. The Messiah's lineage was not preserved solely through kings and prophets but also through countless unnamed and forgotten individuals who were faithful in their generation. This underscores the theme that God works through all of history and through every person in a lineage to fulfill His promises.
Biblical Context
Semis is mentioned only once in the Bible, in Luke 3:26, as part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. He appears in the list that traces Jesus's legal lineage through his adoptive father Joseph back to King David and ultimately to Adam. He is listed as the son of Joseph and the father of Mattathias, forming one link in the long chain of descent.
Theological Significance
Semis represents the continuity and faithfulness of God across generations. His place in Jesus's genealogy demonstrates that God's covenant promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) was preserved not only through famous kings but also through obscure, ordinary individuals. This highlights God's sovereignty in history and the truth that the Messiah's coming was the culmination of a long, divinely orchestrated plan involving countless faithful people.
Historical Background
As a name listed only in a genealogy, no specific historical or archaeological data exists about Semis as an individual. His name is Greek in form (Semein) as recorded by Luke, though it likely represents a Hebrew original. Genealogies were of paramount importance in Second Temple Judaism for establishing tribal lineage, priestly descent, and royal claims. Luke's inclusion of such detailed genealogy, differing from Matthew's, aligns with his emphasis on Jesus as the Savior for all humanity, tracing his line back to Adam.