Luke 3 32

Luke 3:32 kjv

Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,

Luke 3:32 nkjv

the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

Luke 3:32 niv

the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

Luke 3:32 esv

the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,

Luke 3:32 nlt

David was the son of Jesse.
Jesse was the son of Obed.
Obed was the son of Boaz.
Boaz was the son of Salmon.
Salmon was the son of Nahshon.

Luke 3 verses

Luke 3 32 Meaning

Luke 3:32 is part of the comprehensive genealogy of Jesus Christ presented by Luke. This verse specifically lists six individuals—Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Salmon, Nahshon, and Amminadab—as direct ancestors of Jesus, in a lineage traced from the most recent descendant back to an earlier one. The phrase "the son of" repeatedly emphasizes the direct line of descent. This detailed enumeration underscores Jesus's legitimate human heritage, affirming His direct connection to David through Jesse, which is a crucial qualification for His identity as the promised Messiah who would inherit David's throne. It further demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness and meticulous planning throughout generations to bring about His divine purpose of salvation.

Luke 3 32 Context

Luke chapter 3 begins by setting the historical stage for John the Baptist's ministry and Jesus's baptism. After documenting these pivotal events, Luke shifts focus to Jesus's lineage, presenting a detailed genealogy starting from Jesus and meticulously tracing it back through the generations all the way to Adam, and ultimately to God Himself (Luke 3:23-38). This specific method of tracing the line backward and extending it to Adam is distinct from Matthew's genealogy, which moves forward from Abraham to Jesus. Luke's universal approach emphasizes Jesus's connection not just to Israel (through Abraham and David) but to all humanity, positioning Him as the Savior of the entire world. Luke 3:32 is a part of this extensive list, providing historical continuity and reinforcing Jesus's legitimate claim to kingship as the promised Davidic Messiah, whose ancestry had been divinely preserved throughout time.

Luke 3 32 Word analysis

• the son of (τοῦ): This Greek grammatical construction, employing the genitive case of the definite article (tou), consistently signifies direct descent in genealogies, meaning "the son of" or "descendant of." Its rhythmic repetition throughout the list underscores the meticulous, unbroken, and legitimate line of ancestry.
• Jesse (Ἰεσσαί - Iessai): The Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name (יִשַׁי - Yishai), likely meaning "gift" or "my wealth/existence." Jesse was the father of King David and an Ephrathite of Bethlehem (1 Sam 17:12). His significance is profound as he represents the immediate human connection to the royal Davidic line, central to Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isa 11:1), which identify the Messiah as a "shoot from the stump of Jesse." His inclusion directly establishes Jesus as a descendant of David.
• Obed (Ὠβήδ - Obēd): From the Hebrew (עֹבֵד - ʻŌḇēḏ), meaning "serving" or "worshiper." Obed was the son of Boaz and Ruth, making him King David's grandfather (Ru 4:17). His life embodies God's sovereign work through faithful individuals, even a Moabitess mother, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan transcends ethnic boundaries.
• Boaz (Βοόζ - Booz): From the Hebrew (בֹּעַז - Bōʿaz), potentially meaning "in him is strength" or "swiftness." Boaz was a wealthy, influential, and righteous land owner in Bethlehem. He became the "kinsman-redeemer" (goel) for Naomi's family by marrying Ruth, a Moabitess. His compassionate and just character in the book of Ruth powerfully foreshadows Jesus Christ's role as the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, acquiring humanity to redeem it.
• Salmon (Σαλμών - Salmōn): From the Hebrew (שַׂלְמוֹן - Salmôn), possibly meaning "clothed" or "peaceful." Salmon was Boaz's father. While Luke doesn't explicitly name spouses in his genealogy, Matthew's parallel account (Mt 1:5) reveals Salmon's wife was Rahab, the Canaanite from Jericho. This implies a significant earlier inclusion of a Gentile in the Messianic line, quietly affirming God's overarching plan for all nations.
• Nahshon (Ναασσών - Naassōn): From the Hebrew (נַחְשׁוֹן - Naḥšôn), possibly meaning "enchanter" or "foreteller." Nahshon was a prominent prince or tribal leader of Judah during the Exodus (Nu 1:7; 2:3), entrusted with leading his tribe in the wilderness. His sister, Elisheva, married Aaron, connecting this Davidic branch to the priestly line (Ex 6:23). His presence reinforces the significance of the tribe of Judah as the source of kingship.
• Amminadab (Ἀμιναδάβ - Aminadab): From the Hebrew (עַמִּינָדָב - ʿAmmînaḏāḇ), meaning "my kinsman is noble" or "my people are generous." Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, also listed in various Old Testament genealogies (Ex 6:23, 1 Ch 2:10). His inclusion connects Jesus's lineage to the generations just preceding Israel's national formation at the Exodus, showing God's enduring providence across pivotal historical periods.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz: This group constitutes the immediate pre-Davidic lineage. Jesse, David's father, signifies the origin of the Davidic royalty. Obed, the grandson of David, and Boaz, David's great-grandfather, are figures associated with the faithful and redemptive narrative in the book of Ruth, illustrating God's work through seemingly ordinary individuals, including those with Gentile roots, to bring forth His anointed King.
• the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab: This grouping extends Jesus's lineage further back to the crucial Exodus generation and the beginning of Israel's tribal formation. Nahshon's role as a leading figure during the wilderness wanderings underscores the importance of the tribe of Judah in God's covenantal promises from Israel's inception. Salmon, linked to Rahab through Matthew's Gospel, points to an even earlier subtle inclusion of Gentiles within the Messianic line, broadening the scope of salvation even before Christ's incarnation.

Luke 3 32 Bonus section

• Luke's genealogy notably traces backward from Jesus to Adam and then to God, which distinguishes it from Matthew's forward progression from Abraham. This reverse order emphasizes the universality of Jesus's mission—as Savior not just of Israel, but of all mankind.
• The meticulous detailing of this genealogy speaks to divine intentionality and long-term faithfulness. It affirms that Jesus's birth was not an accident but the culmination of centuries of preparation, illustrating God's sovereignty over history and generations.
• The very existence of such precise ancestral records highlights the Jewish cultural importance of lineage for inheritance, identity, and especially for proving Messianic claims, providing strong external validation for Jesus's person.

Luke 3 32 Commentary

Luke 3:32 serves as a pivotal entry in Jesus's genealogy, grounding His Messianic claims in historical reality. By listing Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Salmon, Nahshon, and Amminadab, Luke reinforces Jesus's genuine humanity and His indispensable connection to King David, thus fulfilling integral Old Testament prophecies about the Davidic Messiah. Each ancestor, from Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer who prefigures Christ, to Nahshon, the prince of Judah, represents a thread in the intricate tapestry of God's redemptive plan woven through human history. The consistent pattern of "the son of" validates the legitimacy and continuity of this divinely ordained lineage. While appearing as a simple list, this verse deeply confirms God's unfailing faithfulness and His meticulous preparation for the Incarnation of His Son, Jesus, who would ultimately redeem all people.