Semei

At a Glance

A named individual in the New Testament genealogy recorded by Luke.

Key Points

• Appears in Luke 3:26
• Functions as a genealogy name rather than a theological concept
• The exact underlying Semitic form is uncertain

Description

Semei is best treated as a biblical personal name rather than a theological concept. In Luke 3:26 it appears in the genealogy of Jesus, where it functions as one of the names listed in the line traced by Luke. The name is transliterated in English from the Greek text, and the precise underlying Semitic form is not certain from this entry alone. The headword is suitable for publication as a brief dictionary entry identifying the name and its biblical occurrence.

Biblical Context

Luke includes Semei in the genealogy of Jesus, where the name serves the literary and theological purpose of locating Jesus within Israel's history.

Historical Context

Outside the biblical genealogy, little is known with confidence about the individual named Semei. The entry should therefore remain modest and text-centered.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Genealogies were important in Jewish history for tracing family lines, covenant identity, and historical continuity. Semei appears in that setting as part of Luke's carefully structured genealogy.

Primary Key Texts

• Luke 3:26

Original Language Note

A transliterated personal name in the Greek text of Luke 3:26; the exact Semitic equivalent is not certain from the available source row.

Theological Significance

Semei has no independent doctrinal role, but his presence in Luke's genealogy supports the historical rootedness of Jesus' messianic lineage.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper name, Semei illustrates how biblical texts preserve historical persons within redemptive history rather than abstract ideas.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not confuse Semei with the Greek word for 'sign' (semeion) or force the name into a symbolic meaning that the text does not give.

Major Views

There is little interpretive disagreement about the basic function of the name; the main uncertainty is the exact linguistic background of the transliteration.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry identifies a biblical person name and should not be used to build doctrine beyond the reliability of Luke's genealogy and the historicity of the text.

Practical Significance

Semei is a reminder that Scripture often preserves ordinary names and family lines as part of God's unfolding redemptive history.

Related Entries

• Genealogy of Jesus
• Luke 3

See Also

• Genealogies
• Luke
• Jesus Christ