Luke 3:34

KJV

Which was [the son] of Jacob, which was [the son] of Isaac, which was [the son] of Abraham, which was [the son] of Thara, which was [the son] of Nachor,

KJV (with Strong's)

Which was the son of Jacob {G2384}, which was the son of Isaac {G2464}, which was the son of Abraham {G11}, which was the son of Thara {G2291}, which was the son of Nachor {G3493},

Complete Jewish Bible

of Ya`akov, of Yitz'chak, of Avraham, of Terach, of Nachor,

Berean Standard Bible

the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

American Standard Version

the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 3:34 is a crucial verse within the extensive genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His lineage backward through foundational figures of Israel's history. This segment specifically connects Jesus to the patriarchs Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham, along with their immediate ancestors Terah (Thara) and Nahor (Nachor), thereby establishing His direct descent from the covenant people and underscoring His legitimacy as the promised Messiah. The verse anchors Jesus firmly within the historical narrative of God's redemptive plan, highlighting divine faithfulness across generations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke's genealogy, spanning from [Luke 3:23](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23 - Jesus's Genealogy Begins") to [Luke 3:38](/luke/3-38 "Luke 3:38 - Genealogy Concludes with Adam"), immediately follows the account of Jesus's baptism and the divine declaration of His sonship. Unlike Matthew's genealogy, which begins with Abraham and moves forward to Jesus ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Matthew's Genealogy")), Luke's traces Jesus's ancestry backward from Joseph (His legal father) all the way to Adam and, ultimately, to God. This backward progression emphasizes Jesus's universal humanity and His connection not only to Israel but to all mankind as the "Son of God," a theme Luke consistently develops throughout his Gospel. Verse [Luke 3:34](/luke/3-34 "Luke 3:34 - Jesus's Ancestry through Abraham") forms a vital link in this chain, connecting Jesus to the immediate progenitors of the Israelite nation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Genealogies were profoundly significant in ancient Jewish culture, serving as critical documents for establishing identity, inheritance rights, and legitimacy, particularly for religious and political leaders. For a figure claiming to be the Messiah, a verifiable lineage was indispensable. Luke's decision to trace Jesus's line through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would have resonated deeply with a Jewish audience, affirming Jesus's identity as a true Israelite and a descendant of those to whom God's foundational covenants were made. The inclusion of figures like Terah and Nahor further grounds Jesus within the pre-Israelite, patriarchal history, underscoring the long-term, unfolding nature of God's redemptive plan that predates the nation of Israel itself.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of Luke's broader genealogy, contributes to several key themes. Firstly, it establishes **Messianic Legitimacy** by firmly rooting Jesus within the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the patriarchs through whom God's covenant promises to Israel were initiated. Secondly, it highlights the **Fulfillment of Prophecy and Covenant**, particularly the Abrahamic Covenant, where God promised that "in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Jesus, as a direct descendant, is presented as the ultimate agent of this universal blessing. Thirdly, the meticulous listing of generations, even less prominent figures like Terah and Nahor, underscores **God's Enduring Faithfulness** in preserving a chosen line through which His divine purpose, spanning millennia, would ultimately unfold.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abraám (Greek, _Abraám'_):** This refers to Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch, foundational to Israel's identity and the recipient of God's covenant promises. His inclusion directly links Jesus to the origin of God's chosen people and the promise of universal blessing.
* **Iakṓb (Greek, _Iakṓb'_):** This refers to Jacob, Abraham's grandson, later renamed Israel, from whom the twelve tribes descended. His presence in the genealogy connects Jesus directly to the formation of the nation of Israel and its covenant relationship with God.
* **Isaák (Greek, _Isaák'_):** This refers to Isaac, Abraham's son, the child of promise. His inclusion emphasizes the miraculous and divinely ordained nature of the lineage, reinforcing that Jesus's ancestry is not merely human but guided by God's supernatural hand.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which was [the son] of Jacob":** This clause establishes Jesus's lineage through Jacob, the patriarch whose twelve sons became the progenitors of the tribes of Israel. It firmly places Jesus within the covenant nation and lineage of the chosen people.
* **"which was [the son] of Isaac":** This continues the direct line through Isaac, the son of promise born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. This connection highlights the miraculous and divinely appointed nature of the lineage leading to Christ, mirroring the miraculous birth of Isaac himself.
* **"which was [the son] of Abraham":** This is a pivotal connection, linking Jesus directly to Abraham, the father of faith and the recipient of God's foundational covenant promises. This connection underscores Jesus's role as the fulfillment of the promise that through Abraham's seed, all nations would be blessed.
* **"which was [the son] of Thara":** This refers to Terah, the father of Abraham. Including Terah, who lived in Ur of the Chaldees, connects Jesus's ancestry to a point before the full establishment of the Abrahamic covenant, showing God's long-term sovereign plan unfolding through specific individuals.
* **"which was [the son] of Nachor":** This refers to Nahor, the grandfather of Abraham. His inclusion further extends the lineage into the pre-Abrahamic patriarchal period, demonstrating the meticulous detail of Luke's record and the deep historical roots of Jesus's human identity.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Luke 3:34, and indeed throughout the entire genealogy, is **Repetition**. The recurring phrase "which was [the son] of" (or simply the genitive case implying "son of" in the Greek) creates a rhythmic, almost chant-like quality, emphasizing the unbroken chain of descent. This repetition serves to reinforce the legitimacy and continuity of Jesus's lineage. Furthermore, the entire genealogy functions as a significant **Literary Form** within ancient literature, specifically designed to establish identity, authority, and historical claims. In this context, the genealogy is not merely a list but a theological statement, grounding Jesus in human history and divine purpose. There is also an element of **Symbolism** in the names themselves; each patriarch represents a key stage in God's redemptive history, and their inclusion in Jesus's lineage symbolically links Him to the entirety of that divine narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke's meticulous tracing of Jesus's lineage through these foundational patriarchs powerfully underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. It demonstrates that Jesus's arrival was not a random event but the culmination of a meticulously planned divine history, spanning generations. The inclusion of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob connects Jesus directly to the very origins of God's covenant with Israel, affirming His identity as the promised Messiah through whom God's ancient vows would be fulfilled for both Israel and the nations. This genealogy roots the divine in human history, affirming the genuine humanity of Christ, which is essential for His role as the perfect mediator and redeemer.

* [Genesis 17:7](/genesis/17-7 "Genesis 17:7 - Everlasting Covenant with Abraham")
* [Romans 9:5](/romans/9-5 "Romans 9:5 - Christ's Descent from Israel")
* [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham is Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly dry list of names holds profound theological implications for believers today, reminding us of the enduring nature of God's plan and His meticulous work through history. It assures us that God's promises are not fleeting but are faithfully brought to fruition over vast stretches of time, demonstrating His sovereignty and patience. The genealogy firmly roots Jesus in human history, affirming His genuine humanity, a crucial aspect of His ability to identify with and redeem mankind. He is not merely a divine spirit but a man born of a specific lineage, a true descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This historical grounding allows us to trust that our salvation is not based on a myth, but on the tangible, historical reality of Jesus Christ. It also broadens our perspective, reminding us that while Jesus is deeply connected to Israel's heritage, Luke's broader genealogy extending to Adam reminds us that Jesus's saving work is for all humanity, echoing the universal blessing promised to Abraham.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Jesus's detailed genealogy deepen your appreciation for God's long-term plan of salvation?**
* **In what ways does this verse affirm Jesus's true humanity, and why is His humanity essential for our redemption?**
* **How does the connection to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remind us of God's faithfulness to His promises across generations?**

### FAQ
**Why does Luke's genealogy go backward to Adam, while Matthew's goes forward from Abraham?**

Answer: Luke's genealogy, which begins at [Luke 3:23](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23 - Jesus's Genealogy Begins") and extends to [Luke 3:38](/luke/3-38 "Luke 3:38 - Genealogy Concludes with Adam"), emphasizes Jesus's universal humanity and His connection to all mankind as the "Son of God" and "Son of Adam." This aligns with Luke's broader theological aim to present Jesus as the Savior for all nations, not just Israel. Matthew's genealogy, found in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus"), starts with Abraham and moves forward to Jesus, primarily emphasizing His royal lineage through David and His legitimacy as the Messiah for a Jewish audience. Both genealogies serve distinct theological purposes while affirming Jesus's true historical descent.

**What is the significance of the phrase "which was [the son]" being in brackets in the KJV?**

Answer: The brackets around "the son" in the King James Version indicate that these words are not explicitly present in the original Greek text but are supplied by the translators to make the meaning clearer in English. In Greek, the genealogical lists often use the genitive case (e.g., "of Jacob") to imply the relationship "son of," or the phrase "being of" (ὣν) is used, as seen in [Luke 3:23](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23 - Genealogy Introduction"). The translators added the phrase for readability and to maintain the consistent meaning of a direct paternal lineage. This grammatical structure emphasizes an unbroken line of descent, vital for establishing the Messiah's lineage.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 3:34, by meticulously tracing Jesus's lineage through Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham, powerfully reveals Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's ancient covenants and promises. He is the true "seed" of Abraham, through whom the promise that "all families of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - Abrahamic Covenant Promise")) finds its glorious realization. The Old Testament patriarchs looked forward to a descendant who would bring salvation, and Jesus, in His historical humanity, is that very person. As the Son of Abraham, He inherits the covenant and extends its blessings to both Jew and Gentile ([Galatians 3:8](/galatians/3-8 "Galatians 3:8 - Gospel Preached to Abraham")). His descent from these foundational figures underscores His solidarity with humanity, a necessary condition for His atoning work, for He had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest ([Hebrews 2:16-17](/hebrews/2-16-17 "Hebrews 2:16-17 - Christ's Incarnation and Atonement")). Thus, this verse is not merely a historical record but a profound theological statement affirming Jesus as the promised One who perfectly embodies and fulfills the hopes and prophecies embedded within Israel's patriarchal history, bringing salvation to all who believe, just as the patriarchs believed God ([Romans 15:8-9](/romans/15-8-9 "Romans 15:8-9 - Christ, a Servant to the Circumcision and Gentiles")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 21:3

And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

Genesis 25:26

And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac [was] threescore years old when she bare them.

1 Chronicles 1:34

And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac; Esau and Israel.

Matthew 1:2

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

Genesis 11:24

And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:

Genesis 11:32

And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.

Joshua 24:2

And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, [even] Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.