Semein
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Semein is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. The name appears in the lineage of Jesus, tracing His ancestry back to Adam, which underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's descent. Semein is found in the New Testament, specifically in Luke 3:26, which states: "the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda" .

Genealogical Context

The genealogy in Luke's Gospel is distinct from that in the Gospel of Matthew. While Matthew traces Jesus' lineage through Joseph, emphasizing His legal right to the throne of David, Luke's genealogy is often understood to trace through Mary, highlighting Jesus' biological descent. This dual lineage underscores both the legal and natural claims of Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Semein's placement in the genealogy is significant as it connects Jesus to the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan throughout history. The genealogy in Luke 3 is structured to emphasize Jesus' connection to all humanity, beginning with Adam, the first man. This universal aspect of Jesus' mission is a central theme in Luke's Gospel, which often highlights the inclusivity of the Gospel message.

Theological Significance

The mention of Semein, though brief, contributes to the theological richness of the Gospel narrative. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in preserving the lineage through which the Savior would come. Each name in the genealogy, including Semein, represents a link in the chain of God's providential work across generations.

The genealogies in the Gospels also affirm the historical reality of Jesus Christ. By anchoring Jesus in a specific lineage, the Gospel writers provide a tangible connection to the historical promises made to the patriarchs and the nation of Israel. This connection is crucial for understanding the fulfillment of the covenant promises, particularly those made to Abraham and David, which find their ultimate realization in Jesus.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the cultural context of the first-century Jewish world, genealogies were of paramount importance. They established identity, inheritance rights, and social standing. For the Jewish audience, the genealogical record would have been a powerful testament to Jesus' legitimacy as the Messiah. It affirmed His rightful place within the Jewish tradition and His fulfillment of the messianic prophecies.

The inclusion of lesser-known figures like Semein highlights the comprehensive nature of God's plan, which involves both prominent and obscure individuals. This reflects the biblical theme that God often works through ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.

Conclusion

While Semein is not a prominent figure in biblical narratives, his inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus serves as a testament to the intricate and faithful unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Through the lineage recorded in Luke, believers are reminded of the continuity of God's promises and the historical reality of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Semein

In the Revised Version of (Luke 3:26) for Semei.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SEMEIN

se-me'-in (Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus Semeein; Codex Alexandrinus Semeei, Textus Receptus of the New Testament, Semei; the King James Version, Semei): An ancestor of Jesus in Luke's genealogy (Luke 3:26).

Greek
4584. Semein -- Semein, an Israelite
... 4583, 4584. Semein. 4585 . Semein, an Israelite. Part of Speech: Proper
Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Semein Phonetic Spelling ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4584.htm - 6k
Library

C. The Genealogy of Jesus. Ch. 3:23-38
... of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,
26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the genealogy of jesus.htm

Genealogy According to Luke.
... of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,
26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iv genealogy according to luke.htm

Thesaurus
Semein (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SEMEIN. se-me'-in (Codex Sinaiticus ... 3:26).
Multi-Version Concordance Semein (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:26 ...
/s/semein.htm - 7k

Mattathias (2 Occurrences)
... In addition to these two of this name are mentioned in the New Testament: (7) Luke
3:25, "son of Amos." (8) Luke 3:26, "son of Semein." S. Angus. ...
/m/mattathias.htm - 8k

Semei (1 Occurrence)
... British and American) "Semeias" (Additions to Esther 11:2). (3) the King James Version
form of the Revised Version (British and American) "Semein" (Luke 3:26). ...
/s/semei.htm - 7k

Josech (1 Occurrence)
... Josech (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:26 son of Mahath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein,
son of Josech, son of Joda, (WEY ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV). ...
/j/josech.htm - 7k

Juda (11 Occurrences)
... Luke 3:26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son
of Joseph, the son of Judah, (Root in WEB KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/j/juda.htm - 12k

Joda (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Joda (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:26 son of Mahath, son of
Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, (WEY ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV). ...
/j/joda.htm - 7k

Maath (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 3:26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of
Joseph, the son of Judah, (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/m/maath.htm - 7k

Mahath (4 Occurrences)
... Henry Wallace. Multi-Version Concordance Mahath (4 Occurrences). Luke 3:26 son of
Mahath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, (WEY). ...
/m/mahath.htm - 9k

Ma'ath (1 Occurrence)
... Ma'ath (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the
son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, (See RSV). ...
/m/ma'ath.htm - 6k

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)
... (4) A Reubenite (1 Chronicles 5:4, Codex Vaticanus Semeei; Codex Alexandrinus Semein),
called Shema in 1 Chronicles 5:8. (5) A Merarite Levite (1 Chronicles 9 ...
/s/shemaiah.htm - 29k

Resources
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Concordance
Semein (1 Occurrence)

Luke 3:26
the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,
(WEB WEY ASV BBE NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Semein

Related Terms

Semeis

Semein (1 Occurrence)

Semeias
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