Ἰωνάν (Iōnan)
Iōnan
Jonam
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Iōnan, rendered Jonam in English Bibles, appears only once in the New Testament, specifically within the genealogy of Jesus found in Luke 3:30. It identifies a specific ancestor in the line leading from Abraham to David and ultimately to Christ. The lexicon data indicates that this is a proper noun with no broader verbal or thematic usage outside this single familial record.
Etymologically, the name means "Jehovah is a gracious giver," derived from Hebrew roots that associate the divine name with generosity. While it does not carry independent theological weight in the narrative flow of Luke’s Gospel, its inclusion highlights the continuity of God’s covenant promises through ordinary human generations. Translators consistently render it as Jonam to preserve this specific familial link.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jonam appears in the New Testament only once, nestled within the extensive genealogy of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. While it may seem like a minor detail among many names, its presence reminds us that God’s plan unfolds through real people across generations. This single mention connects Jesus to a long line of ancestors, showing how faithfully God has kept His promises over time.
Jonam’s inclusion highlights the continuity of God’s covenant love, which reaches back to Abraham and forward to Christ. It is a quiet but powerful testament to the idea that every life matters in God’s story. Even those whose names are barely remembered played a part in bringing about the salvation we celebrate today.
When we reflect on Jonam, we are invited to trust in God’s faithfulness, even when His plans seem hidden or slow. Just as He worked through Jonam and others like him, He continues to work in our lives and in the world around us. May this awareness bring comfort and hope as we walk in faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Jonam1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἰωνὰμ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:30
the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,
This verse places Jonam in the lineage of Jesus, linking him to David and Abraham, which underscores the continuity of God's covenant promises.