γενεαλογέω (genealogeō)
genealogeō
to trace genealogy
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb genealogeō means to trace or recount a family’s lineage, essentially putting one’s ancestry into a written record. It is a rare word in the New Testament, appearing only once in Hebrews 7:6, where it describes how Abraham accounted for tithes from Melchizedek by tracing his own origins through that priest-king.
Its construction combines genes (generation or race) and legō (to gather or recount). This suggests a deliberate act of gathering facts about descent rather than just stating a name. In the Old Testament background, such records were vital for establishing tribal identity and priestly qualifications, making this term carry significant weight regarding heritage and legal standing.
While modern readers might see genealogies as dry lists, this verb highlights the active process of verifying one’s place within God’s historical plan. The word underscores that identity in Scripture is often rooted in concrete history and lineage, linking individuals to a broader story of faithfulness across generations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The verb genealogeō points to the careful act of tracing a family line. In Hebrews 7:6 it describes how Melchizedek accounted for his origins by receiving tithes from Abraham. This was not just a dry list of names, but a deliberate verification of identity and legal standing within God’s plan.
For your faith, this reminds us that our story is rooted in real history. Just as ancient records established tribal and priestly roles, Scripture shows how God works through generations. Your place in the body of Christ is part of a larger, faithful narrative that connects past promises to present hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tracing his ancestry1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- γενεαλογούμενος1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 7:6
but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.
This verse uses the word to describe Melchizedek's act of accounting for his lineage when receiving tithes from Abraham, highlighting the legal and historical weight of ancestry.