genitive case of Ἰωσῆς; Jose, an Israelite:--Jose.
Transliteration:Iōsḗ
Pronunciation:ee-o-say'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term Ἰωσή (Iōsḗ, `{{G2499}}`) is a proper noun, specifically the genitive case of the masculine personal name Ἰωσῆς (Iōsēs). It designates an individual within a genealogical lineage. The name itself is a Hellenized form of the Hebrew name יֹוסֵף (Yoseph, `{{H3130}}`), which carries the meaning "Yahweh adds" or "may he add." As a proper noun, its semantic range is fixed, referring exclusively to a specific person named Jose.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word Ἰωσή (Iōsḗ, `{{G2499}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, within the meticulously recorded genealogy of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Luke:
* [[Luke 3:29]]: "...the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi..."
In this solitary occurrence, Jose is presented as an ancestor of Jesus, positioned several generations before Joseph, the husband of Mary. The context is purely genealogical, serving to trace Jesus's human lineage back through David, Abraham, and ultimately to Adam. This meticulous record underscores the historical grounding of the incarnation and affirms Jesus's rightful place within the covenantal promises made to Israel. Jose's role is to serve as an indispensable link in this divinely orchestrated family tree, demonstrating the unbroken line through which the Messiah was to come.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the nominative form, Ἰωσῆς (Iōsēs), from which Ἰωσή (Iōsḗ, `{{G2499}}`) is derived. Fundamentally, it is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name יֹוסֵף (Yoseph, `{{H3130}}`). This links Ἰωσή to a host of significant biblical figures bearing the name Joseph, including:
* Joseph, the son of Jacob, a patriarch of Israel and a prominent figure in Genesis.
* Joseph, the husband of Mary, the earthly father of Jesus (referenced by `{{G2501}}`).
* Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple who buried Jesus (referenced by `{{G2502}}`).
* Joseph Barsabbas, also known as Justus, a candidate to replace Judas Iscariot (referenced by `{{G2503}}`).
While each of these individuals is distinct and assigned a unique Strong's number in the Greek lexicon, they all share the common linguistic root and the underlying Hebrew meaning of the name. The overarching concept of "genealogy" (γενεαλογία, `{{G1076}}`) is also central, as the inclusion of Jose contributes to the broader narrative of God's faithfulness in preserving a lineage for the promised Messiah.
### Theological Significance
While Jose himself is not a figure of independent theological discourse, his inclusion in Luke's genealogy carries profound theological weight by virtue of his position within the messianic lineage.
1. **Divine Faithfulness:** His presence, however brief, testifies to God's meticulous and unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His promises across generations. Every name in the genealogy, including Jose, represents a step in God's sovereign plan leading to the incarnation of Christ.
2. **Humanity of Christ:** The tracing of Jesus's ancestry through ordinary human beings like Jose emphasizes the true humanity of the Son of God. Jesus was fully God and fully man, and His human lineage, documented in these genealogies, grounds Him firmly in human history and experience.
3. **Continuity of Salvation History:** Jose serves as a vital link in the unbroken chain of salvation history. His existence, though largely unknown to us beyond this single mention, contributed to the preservation of the lineage through which God's ultimate redemptive act would be accomplished. The very meaning of the name "Yahweh adds" subtly echoes God's ongoing work of adding to His people, adding blessings, and ultimately adding the Messiah to the human family.
### Summary
Ἰωσή (Iōsḗ, `{{G2499}}`) is a proper Greek name, the genitive form of Ἰωσῆς, derived from the Hebrew יֹוסֵף (Yoseph), meaning "Yahweh adds." Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Luke 3:29]], where Jose is listed as an ancestor in Jesus's human genealogy. As a link in this divinely preserved lineage, Jose's inclusion underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in bringing forth the Messiah, affirms the true humanity of Jesus Christ, and highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout history. Though an obscure figure, his presence is essential to the biblical narrative of salvation.
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