Ναθάν (Nathan)
Nathan
Nathan
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Nathan appears in Luke 3:31 as part of the genealogy tracing Jesus’ lineage through David. It is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Natan, which means "a giver." In this context, it identifies one of the sons born to King David by Bathsheba.
Although the biblical narrative does not attribute specific deeds or theological themes to this particular Nathan, his inclusion in the list underscores the historical continuity of Jesus’ ancestry. The name itself, signifying giving, connects back to the Hebrew root natan, reflecting a common naming convention where personal names express attributes or divine actions.
By preserving this name in the Greek text, Luke maintains the fidelity of the ancestral record for readers familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures. This single occurrence highlights how early Christian writers integrated Jewish heritage into their accounts of Jesus’ identity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Nathan appears in Luke’s genealogy as a link between King David and Jesus. It means “a giver,” reminding us that every person in this long line was part of God’s careful plan. Even though the Bible does not record specific deeds for this Nathan, his presence shows that Jesus’ ancestry is real and historical.
This detail encourages believers today. It shows that God values each individual in His family tree. The continuity from David to Jesus highlights the faithfulness of God across generations. We can trust that He keeps His promises, even when names seem ordinary or forgotten.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Nathan1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ναθὰμ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:31
the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
This verse places Nathan directly in the line from David to Jesus, confirming the historical continuity of the Messiah's ancestry through David's son.