Nerias
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Nerias is a biblical figure mentioned in the context of the genealogy of the Apostle Paul. The name "Nerias" is a variant of "Neri," which appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 3:27 , the genealogy lists "Neri" as an ancestor of Jesus, stating: "the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri."

Genealogical Significance

Nerias, or Neri, holds a significant place in the genealogy of Jesus, as he is part of the line that connects King David to Jesus Christ. This lineage is crucial for fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah would come from the house of David. The genealogy in Luke traces Jesus' lineage through David's son Nathan, as opposed to the genealogy in Matthew, which traces through Solomon. This dual lineage underscores the legitimacy of Jesus' messianic claim from both a legal and a bloodline perspective.

Historical Context

The period in which Neri lived is not explicitly detailed in the Bible, but he is placed in the post-exilic era, a time when the Jewish people were returning from Babylonian captivity and re-establishing themselves in the land of Israel. This era was marked by a renewed focus on religious identity and adherence to the Law of Moses, as the Jewish community sought to restore their covenant relationship with God.

Theological Implications

The inclusion of Neri in the genealogy of Jesus highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout history. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in preserving the line of David despite the challenges faced by the Jewish people, including exile and dispersion. The genealogies in the Gospels affirm the divine orchestration of history to bring about the birth of Jesus, the promised Messiah.

Cultural and Religious Impact

Genealogies were of great importance in Jewish culture, serving not only as records of ancestry but also as affirmations of identity and heritage. For early Christians, the genealogies of Jesus provided a vital link to the Old Testament promises and validated Jesus' role as the fulfillment of those promises. The mention of figures like Neri in these genealogies would have reinforced the understanding of Jesus as the legitimate heir to the Davidic throne, a key aspect of His messianic identity.

Conclusion

While the Bible provides limited information about Neri himself, his inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus underscores the broader narrative of God's salvation history. Through figures like Neri, the Scriptures reveal the intricate and purposeful unfolding of God's plan to bring redemption to humanity through Jesus Christ.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
NERIAS

ne-ri'-as (Ner(e)ias): The Greek form of Hebrew Neriah found only in Baruch 1:1 as the father of Baruch equals "Neriah" of Jeremiah 32:12; Jeremiah 36:4;; 43:03:00. To Baruch's brother, Seraiah, the same genealogy is ascribed in Jeremiah 51:59.

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... and Phideas's son was Sudeas, and Sudeas's son was Juelus, and Juelus's son was
Jotham, and Jotham's son was Urias, and Urias's son was Nerias, and Nerias's ...
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Thesaurus
Nerias
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia NERIAS. ne-ri'-as (Ner(e)ias): The Greek
form of Hebrew Neriah found only in Baruch 1:1 as the father ...
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Neri'ah (8 Occurrences)
Neri'ah. Neriah, Neri'ah. Nerias . Multi-Version Concordance Neri'ah (8
Occurrences). ... Neriah, Neri'ah. Nerias . Reference Bible.
/n/neri'ah.htm - 9k

Nerijah (8 Occurrences)

/n/nerijah.htm - 9k

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Neriah: Father of Baruch
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