Ἰωδά (Iōda)
Iōda
Joda
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Iōda appears only once in the New Testament, recorded in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus at Luke 3:26. It serves as a link in the long chain of ancestors tracing Joseph’s lineage back to Adam. The form is a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew personal name, likely related to Yehudah (Judah), meaning "praise" or "thanks."
Because this entry occurs in a list of names rather than in narrative dialogue, the word carries no active theological weight or verb-like action. Its significance lies entirely in its historical function: preserving the identity of an ancestor within the broader biblical record of Israel’s heritage.
Translators consistently render it as "Joda" to distinguish it from the more common Judas or Jude. This singular occurrence highlights how the Gospel writer valued precise genealogical detail, even for figures who do not appear elsewhere in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Iōda appears only once in the New Testament, tucked into the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:26. It is a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew name, likely connected to Yehudah, which carries the sense of praise or thanks. In this context, it serves as a simple link in the long chain of ancestors tracing Joseph’s lineage back to Adam.
While this entry does not carry active theological weight or narrative dialogue, its presence highlights the Gospel writer’s commitment to precise historical detail. Luke valued preserving the identity of every ancestor within Israel’s heritage, even those who do not appear elsewhere in Scripture. This attention to detail reminds us that God’s plan unfolds through real people and specific histories.
For your faith, this word offers a quiet encouragement. It shows that God cares about the full record of His people, including names that might otherwise be forgotten. You can trust that He is faithful to preserve His promises across generations, working through ordinary lives to bring about His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Joda1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἰωδὰ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:26
the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,
This verse places Iōda as the son of Judah in Joseph's lineage, serving as a specific link in the genealogical chain that Luke carefully records.