Νηρί (Nēri)
Nēri
Neri
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Nēri appears only once in the New Testament, listed as an ancestor in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:27). It is a proper noun referring to a specific individual, the grandfather of Zerubbabel, who played a key role in restoring the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile. Because it is a personal name rather than a descriptive term, its meaning is derived entirely from its Hebrew origin.
In Hebrew, the name Neri (Nērî) means "Jehovah is my lamp." This etymology connects the individual to a theological theme of divine guidance and light, suggesting that God serves as the source of illumination for his people. While the New Testament text does not elaborate on Nēri’s personal life or deeds, his inclusion in the lineage highlights the continuity of God’s covenant through generations.
Translators typically retain the name as "Neri" without adding explanatory glosses, respecting its function as a historical marker within the family tree. The verse serves to bridge the gap between the post-exilic leaders and the broader ancestral line leading to Christ. By preserving this specific link, the Gospel writer underscores the historical reality of Jesus’ human ancestry.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we look at the genealogy in Luke 3, names like Neri can feel distant or abstract. Yet this single mention anchors Jesus firmly in human history. He is not a mythic figure detached from time, but the descendant of real people who lived through exile and restoration. This lineage shows that God works through generations, preserving His promise even when circumstances seem dark.
The name Neri means "Jehovah is my lamp." For believers today, this offers a quiet comfort. Just as ancient ancestors relied on God’s guidance to navigate uncertainty, we too look to Christ as the light of our path. His ancestry reminds us that salvation is not an isolated event but a long story of faithfulness. You are part of that same continuing narrative.
There is hope in this continuity. The God who guided Zerubbabel’s grandfather also guides you now. We do not walk alone, but within a family of faith stretching back to Adam and forward to eternity. Rest in the knowledge that your life has meaning within this grand design.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Neri1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Νηρὶ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:27
the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
This verse places Neri directly in the line between Zerubbabel and Shealtiel, confirming his role as a crucial link in the ancestral chain leading to Jesus.