Σήμ (Sēm)
Sēm
Shem
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Sēm appears only once in the New Testament, listed as an ancestor of Jesus in Luke 3:36. It is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Shem, the eldest son of Noah and a pivotal figure in the Genesis narrative.
Etymologically, the name means "name" or "fame." In the biblical account, this designation carries significant weight, as God establishes a covenant with Shem and his descendants, linking them to the future lineage of Abraham and David. Its inclusion in Luke’s genealogy underscores the continuity between the post-flood world and the specific family line from which Jesus descends.
Translators typically retain the form "Shem" or "Sēm" without attempting to translate the meaning, preserving it as a proper identifier. This single occurrence serves as a bridge in the historical record, connecting the early chapters of Scripture to the genealogical proof of Jesus’ human heritage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Sēm appears in Luke’s genealogy as a link between the flood narrative and the line of Jesus. This single mention connects us to the ancient promise God made to Noah’s family, showing that God’s care for humanity stretches back through generations long before Abraham or David.
Seeing this name reminds us that our faith is rooted in real history. It is not a myth but a record of people who lived, loved, and trusted God. This continuity assures us that the same God who preserved life after the flood is faithful to His promises today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Shem1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Σὴμ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:36
the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
This verse places Sēm in the direct ancestral line of Jesus, linking the post-flood world to the Messiah's human heritage.