of Hebrew origin (יֶרֶד); Jared (i.e. Jered), an antediluvian:--Jared.
Transliteration:Iáred
Pronunciation:ee-ar'-ed
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
**G2391 Iáred** is a proper noun, transliterated directly from the Hebrew name **`{{H3259}}` Yered** (יֶרֶד). The underlying Hebrew root is **`{{H3381}}` yarad**, which means "to descend," "to go down," or "to come down." Consequently, the name Jared is commonly interpreted as "descent," "he descends," or "a descending." In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the name is consistently rendered as Ἰάρεδ. As a proper name, its semantic range is confined to identifying a specific individual within the biblical genealogies. Its meaning is primarily derived from its etymological root rather than possessing a broad semantic field in Greek usage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Greek form **G2391 Iáred** appears exclusively in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke. It is found twice within the same verse:
* [[Luke 3:37]]: "the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God."
In this context, Jared is presented as a vital link in the extensive genealogy of Jesus Christ, traced by Luke from Adam through Noah and Abraham, all the way to Jesus. His placement within this antediluvian lineage underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan through specific human lines. The Old Testament Hebrew equivalent, **`{{H3259}}` Yered**, appears in [[Genesis 5:15]], [[Genesis 5:16]], [[Genesis 5:18]], [[Genesis 5:19]], [[Genesis 5:20]] and [[1 Chronicles 1:2]], where he is identified as the father of Enoch and a patriarch who lived for 962 years. The New Testament usage in Luke serves a purely genealogical purpose, establishing the historical and biological roots of Jesus, thereby connecting Him to the earliest human history and the divine promises made to humanity.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H3259}}` Yered (Jared):** The direct Hebrew equivalent, from which the Greek **G2391 Iáred** is derived. All Old Testament references to Jared utilize this Hebrew form.
* **`{{H3381}}` Yarad:** The Hebrew verbal root meaning "to descend" or "to go down," which forms the etymological basis for the name Jared. While not a direct synonym, understanding this root illuminates the potential significance embedded within the name.
* **Genealogy:** This is the primary concept inextricably linked with **G2391 Iáred**. Jared serves as a crucial link in the genealogical chain, emphasizing the profound importance of lineage in biblical narrative, particularly concerning the Messiah.
* **Antediluvian Patriarchs:** Jared is one of the ten patriarchs enumerated in Genesis 5 who lived before the Great Flood. He is positioned as the father of Enoch, who famously "walked with God" and was taken without experiencing death ([[Genesis 5:24]], [[Hebrews 11:5]]), and the grandfather of Methuselah, who lived the longest recorded life span.
* **Lineage of Christ:** Jared's inclusion in Luke's genealogy highlights the meticulous tracing of the Messianic line, demonstrating God's sovereign oversight of human history to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
### Theological Significance
While **G2391 Iáred** is a proper noun primarily serving an identificatory function, its inclusion in the Lukan genealogy carries profound theological implications:
* **Continuity of Redemptive History:** Jared's presence in the lineage demonstrates God's sustained covenant faithfulness through generations, even in the earliest, pre-Flood era. It underscores that God's plan of salvation is not an ad hoc response but a meticulously orchestrated historical progression, unfolding through specific individuals and families.
* **Jesus' Full Humanity:** By tracing Jesus' ancestry back through Jared to Adam ([[Luke 3:38]]), Luke emphasizes Jesus' full humanity and His connection to all of fallen humanity. This establishes Jesus as the "second Adam," uniquely qualified to redeem humanity from the sin and death introduced by the first Adam.
* **Historical Reliability of Scripture:** The meticulous recording of genealogies, including figures like Jared, testifies to the biblical commitment to historical accuracy and the grounding of theological truth in real events and real people. These lists were not merely cultural artifacts but served to authenticate claims of lineage, especially for the Messiah.
* **The "Descent" of God's Plan:** If the name "Jared" indeed signifies "descent," it can subtly point to the progressive "descent" of God's revelation and redemptive plan throughout history, culminating in the ultimate "descent" of God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, who "descended from heaven" ([[John 3:13]]). While an interpretive layer, it invites contemplation on the name's etymological resonance.
### Summary
**G2391 Iáred** refers to Jared, an antediluvian patriarch, whose name derives from the Hebrew **`{{H3259}}` Yered**, meaning "descent." In the New Testament, **G2391 Iáred** appears exclusively in [[Luke 3:37]], where he is listed as a crucial ancestor of Jesus Christ. His significance lies not in any specific action or teaching attributed to him in the New Testament, but in his indispensable role as a link in the divinely preserved Messianic genealogy. His inclusion underscores the historical continuity of God's redemptive plan, the full humanity of Jesus, and the meticulous nature of biblical record-keeping. As one of the patriarchs before the Great Flood, Jared connects the lineage of Christ to the earliest chapters of human history, affirming God's enduring faithfulness across generations toward the ultimate fulfillment of His promises in the Person of His Son.
TRV