Μελχί (Melchi)
Melchi
Melchi
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Melchi is a proper name appearing in the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:24 and 3:28. It identifies a specific ancestor in the line connecting Joseph to David. The name itself derives from Hebrew, carrying the meaning "my king." This etymology links it directly to the common Semitic root for royalty.
Although Melchi is not a major figure in biblical narrative, his inclusion highlights the careful preservation of ancestral lines. Luke traces this lineage back through many generations, ensuring each name is recorded with precision. The presence of "my king" in an ancestor's name may subtly reinforce the royal identity of Jesus, even as the text focuses on historical continuity rather than theological commentary.
Translators consistently render Melchi as a personal name without adding descriptive titles. This reflects the source material’s straightforward presentation of family records. The name serves as a link in the chain, reminding readers that Jesus’ heritage is rooted in real human history and established lineages.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Melchi appears in the genealogy of Jesus recorded by Luke, carrying the meaning "my king." While it marks only a brief moment in a long list of ancestors, its presence reminds us that Jesus’ royal identity is rooted in real human history. Each name in this lineage connects Joseph to David, showing God’s faithful preservation of His promises across generations.
For your faith, this detail offers comfort. It shows that God cares about the specifics of family lines and personal histories. Even names we might overlook are part of a larger story of redemption. This encourages us to trust that our own lives, with all their ordinary moments, are held within God’s careful plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Melchi2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Μελχὶ2×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:24
the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
This verse places Melchi in the line tracing Jesus’ ancestry through Joseph, linking him to Levi and Jannai.
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Luke 3:28
the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,
Here Melchi appears again in a different segment of the genealogy, connecting him to Addi and Cosam.