### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek proper noun Κωσάμ (Kōsám), Strong's number `{{G2973}}`, designates a specific individual within a genealogical record. Its base definition indicates a Hebrew origin, specifically drawing a comparison to the Hebrew word קֶסֶם (qesem), Strong's number `{{H7081}}`. The Hebrew root קֶסֶם typically denotes "divination," "enchantment," or "lot." While the etymological link suggests a potential meaning related to these concepts, it is crucial to understand that as a proper noun, Κωσάμ primarily functions as an identifier for a person, rather than carrying the semantic range of its root word in a descriptive sense. The name itself, like many ancient names, may reflect a characteristic, an event, or a hope associated with the individual's birth or family, but its precise nuance as a personal name is not explicitly defined beyond its identification.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Κωσάμ (Kōsám) appears only once in the New Testament, within the meticulously recorded genealogy of Jesus Christ as presented by Luke:
* [[Luke 3:28]]: "the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er..."
In this solitary occurrence, Cosam is listed as an ancestor of Jesus, specifically the son of Elmadam and father of Addi (though some manuscripts vary slightly in the immediate preceding name, the sequence involving Cosam is stable). The context is purely genealogical, placing Cosam as a vital link in the human lineage traced by Luke from Jesus back to Adam. There is no narrative account or additional information provided about Cosam's life, actions, or character. His significance in the biblical record is solely his inclusion in this ancestral line, underscoring the historical reality of Jesus's human descent.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to Κωσάμ (Kōsám) is its suggested Hebrew root, קֶסֶם (qesem, `{{H7081}}`), which pertains to divination. While this etymological connection is noted, it does not imply that Cosam himself was involved in such practices; rather, it speaks to the potential origin or meaning of the name itself within a broader cultural context.
Other related concepts include:
* **Genealogy (Greek: γενεαλογία, `{{G1076}}`):** The study and tracing of lines of descent, central to understanding Cosam's place in Scripture.
* **Lineage/Descent:** The concept of ancestral succession, particularly as it pertains to the Messianic line.
* **Son of Man:** Luke's genealogy, which includes Cosam, emphasizes Jesus's universal humanity by tracing His lineage back to Adam, the first man.
### Theological Significance
As an individual named in the genealogy of Jesus, Cosam's theological significance is intrinsically linked to the broader purpose of Luke's genealogical record. Luke's genealogy, unlike Matthew's, traces Jesus's ancestry back through Mary's line (or through Joseph's, representing Mary's lineage by legal convention) all the way to Adam, and ultimately to God. This comprehensive lineage underscores several key theological points:
1. **Jesus's Full Humanity:** The inclusion of Cosam, along with all other ancestors, affirms the historical reality and full humanity of Jesus. He was truly born into human history, with a verifiable lineage.
2. **Universal Messiahship:** By tracing Jesus's line back to Adam, Luke highlights Jesus's role as the Savior for all humanity, not just for the Jewish people. Cosam, as part of this human chain, contributes to this universal scope.
3. **Divine Providence in History:** The preservation of this detailed genealogy, including seemingly obscure figures like Cosam about whom nothing else is known, testifies to God's meticulous and sovereign plan unfolding through generations. Even names with potentially challenging etymological roots (like "divination" for קֶסֶם) are incorporated into the divine tapestry of redemption, demonstrating God's ability to work through all human circumstances and individuals. Cosam's presence in the lineage is a silent witness to God's faithfulness in preserving the Messianic line.
### Summary
Κωσάμ (Kōsám, `{{G2973}}`) is a proper noun identifying an individual in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in [[Luke 3:28]]. While its etymological root is compared to the Hebrew word for "divination" (קֶסֶם, `{{H7081}}`), Cosam's biblical significance lies solely in his role as an ancestor of Jesus. His inclusion in Luke's genealogy underscores the historical reality of Jesus's human descent, affirms His universal humanity as the "Son of Man," and implicitly testifies to the meticulous and sovereign providence of God in preserving the Messianic lineage through generations, culminating in the birth of the Savior. Cosam serves as a humble, yet essential, link in the sacred chain leading to Christ.
TRV