Ἀρφαξάδ (Arphaxad)
Arphaxad
Arphaxad
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Arphaxad appears only once in the New Testament, listed as an ancestor of Jesus in Luke’s genealogy (Luke 3:36). It is a transliteration of the Hebrew name Arpachshad, identifying him as the son of Shem and father of Shelah.
Its meaning is traditionally understood as "stronghold of Chaldees." In the biblical narrative, this figure represents a crucial link in the lineage from Noah through Shem to Abraham. Luke includes him to trace Jesus’ human ancestry back to the earliest generations of humanity, emphasizing his connection to all people rather than just Israel.
While the name itself carries no direct theological command, its presence highlights the historical continuity of God’s promises. The genealogy serves as a record of faithfulness across generations, showing how one family line was preserved and passed down through time until it reached Jesus.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read Luke’s genealogy, names like Arphaxad can feel distant or purely academic. Yet this single mention anchors Jesus firmly in real human history. He is not a myth detached from time, but the descendant of specific men who lived, struggled, and passed on their faith to the next generation.
Arphaxad stands as a quiet link between Noah’s fresh start and the rise of Abraham. This continuity shows how God kept His promises across centuries, even when history seemed slow or silent. For you, this means your own life is part of a larger story where God remains faithful through every generation.
Knowing that Jesus shares our human lineage reminds us that He understands the weight of time and tradition. You are connected to this same unfolding narrative, invited to trust in the God who guides history toward His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Arphaxad1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἀρφαξὰδ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:36
the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
This verse places Arphaxad directly between Shem and Cainan, confirming his role as a vital link in the ancestral line that leads to Jesus.