Ἐλμωδάμ (Elmōdam)
Elmōdam
Elmadam
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Elmōdam appears only once in the New Testament, listed as an ancestor of Jesus in Luke’s genealogy (Luke 3:28). It is a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew personal name, meaning "measure." In this specific context, he is identified as the son of Er and the father of Cosam.
Because it occurs just a single time, lexical resources provide little detail beyond its basic identification. The name’s significance lies in its placement within the long chain of generations that Luke traces back to Adam. While the meaning "measure" might suggest themes of justice or proportion, the text uses the name simply to record lineage, connecting Joseph to earlier ancestors without further commentary.
Translators consistently render this name as Elmadam or Elmōdam, preserving the phonetic structure of the original Hebrew. Its sole appearance serves to maintain the historical continuity of Jesus’ human ancestry, demonstrating that his family line included individuals whose names are otherwise unknown in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Elmōdam appears in Luke’s genealogy as a quiet link in the long chain connecting Jesus to Adam. It means “measure,” yet Scripture offers no commentary on his life or character. He is simply listed as the son of Er and father of Cosam, preserving the historical continuity of Jesus’ human ancestry.
This single mention reminds us that God’s plan unfolds through ordinary generations. The lineage includes many whose names are forgotten by history but known to God. It shows that Jesus’ humanity was grounded in real people, each contributing to the fulfillment of promise without fanfare or recorded deeds.
For your faith, this detail invites trust in God’s meticulous care. He does not overlook the unnamed or the obscure. Every link in the chain matters to Him, and by extension, every life in His story holds value. You can rest knowing that God’s purposes are woven through all of history, including the quiet moments.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Elmadam1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἐλμαδὰμ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:28
the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,
This verse places Elmōdam in the lineage as the son of Er and father of Cosam, anchoring his identity within the broader genealogical record.