Joda

At a Glance

Biblical person named in the genealogy of Jesus.

Key Points

• Appears in Luke 3:26
• known only from the genealogy
• no further biographical details are given in Scripture.

Description

Joda is a personal name found in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:26). Scripture does not provide a separate narrative, office, or theological teaching attached to him. His significance lies in his place within the genealogy, which serves Luke’s presentation of Jesus’ historical and covenantal lineage. A dictionary entry should therefore remain brief, text-based, and free from speculation.

Biblical Context

Luke places Joda within the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:23–38. Genealogies in Scripture establish historical identity, family lineage, and continuity in God’s redemptive purposes.

Historical Context

Outside Luke’s genealogy, Scripture gives no historical detail about Joda. He is otherwise unknown to the biblical narrative.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In Jewish Scripture and Second Temple practice, genealogies commonly marked ancestry, inheritance, and covenant continuity. Luke’s genealogy uses that familiar form to locate Jesus within real history.

Primary Key Texts

• Luke 3:26

Secondary Key Texts

• Luke 3:23–38

Original Language Note

The name is preserved in Luke’s Greek genealogy. Scripture does not supply additional information about its wider background.

Theological Significance

Joda’s significance is indirect: his inclusion in Luke’s genealogy supports the historical descent of Jesus and the reliability of the Gospel record.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper name, Joda illustrates that Scripture’s redemptive storyline is grounded in concrete history and real persons, not abstract ideas alone.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not build doctrine or speculation on Joda’s identity beyond what Luke records. The text does not provide a separate biography or theological role for him.

Major Views

There is no substantive interpretive debate about Joda beyond his identification as a name in Luke’s genealogy.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry affirms the historical and literary function of Luke’s genealogy but does not infer any doctrinal claims about Joda himself.

Practical Significance

Joda reminds readers that Scripture preserves ordinary names within God’s saving history, even when those individuals are otherwise unknown.

Related Entries

• Genealogy of Jesus
• Luke
• Jesus Christ
• Luke 3:23–38

See Also

• Genealogy
• Messiah
• Son of David