Ῥησά (Rhēsa)
Rhēsa
Rhesa
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Rhēsa appears only once in the New Testament, recorded as an ancestor of Jesus in Luke’s genealogy (Luke 3:27). It is a proper noun with no independent meaning beyond identifying this specific individual in the lineage leading to Christ.
Lexical sources suggest the name likely derives from Hebrew, possibly related to the word for "head" or "chief," though its exact etymology remains uncertain. Because it occurs so rarely outside of this biblical list, there are no broader theological nuances or usage patterns to explore; it serves strictly as a historical marker in the genealogical record.
Translators consistently render it as Rhēsa without variation, preserving the original sound rather than attempting to translate its potential meaning. Its significance lies entirely in its placement within the chain of generations, affirming the human ancestry of Jesus through a long line of named forebears.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Rhēsa appears only once in the New Testament, nestled within the long genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:27. It is a proper noun that identifies an ancestor of Christ, linking generations together in a historical chain. While we do not know the full story of this individual, his inclusion affirms the reality of Jesus’ human ancestry.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God works through real people across time. Each name in the lineage represents a life lived, a family continued, and a promise kept. You are part of this same spiritual heritage, connected to those who came before and those who will follow.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Rhesa1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ῥησὰ1×
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 Rhēsa in the direct line of descent from Zerubbabel to Jesus, serving as a crucial link in Luke's genealogy that establishes Christ's human heritage.