### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek proper noun G3518 (Νηρί, *Nērí*) is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name נֵרִיָּה (Neriyah), which corresponds to `{{H5374}}`. The base definition indicates that Neri is an Israelite. Etymologically, the Hebrew name נֵרִיָּה (Neriyah) is composed of נֵר (*ner*), meaning "lamp" or "light," and יָהּ (*Yah*), a shortened form of Yahweh. Thus, the name carries the meaning "lamp of Yahweh" or "light of Yahweh." As a proper noun, its primary semantic function is to identify a specific individual within a lineage, rather than conveying a broad conceptual meaning. Its deeper significance is rooted in the etymological meaning of its Hebrew origin, pointing to divine illumination.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G3518 (Νηρί, *Nērí*) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke's genealogy of Jesus:
* [[Luke 3:27]]: "the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er..."
In this passage, Neri is listed as the father of Salathiel (Shealtiel) in the lineage tracing Jesus's ancestry through Mary (traditionally understood as Luke's genealogy). This differs from Matthew's genealogy ([[Matthew 1:12]]), where Salathiel's father is identified as Jeconiah (Jechoniah/Coniah). This difference is a well-known point of scholarly discussion regarding the two genealogies, often explained by Luke tracing Mary's lineage and Matthew tracing Joseph's, or through levirate marriage customs. Within Luke's account, Neri serves as a crucial link in the unbroken chain of descent leading to the Messiah, demonstrating God's meticulous preservation of the promised lineage.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is its Hebrew progenitor, `{{H5374}}` (נֵרִיָּה, *Neriyah*), meaning "lamp of Yahweh." This name is borne by at least one other individual in the Old Testament, specifically Neriah, the father of Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe ([[Jeremiah 32:12]], [[Jeremiah 36:4]]).
The root of the name, נֵר (*ner*), meaning "lamp" or "light," connects Neri to broader biblical themes of divine illumination, guidance, and presence. This concept is pervasive in scripture, where God's word is a "lamp to my feet and a light for my path" ([[Psalm 119:105]]), and God Himself is often depicted as light ([[Psalm 27:1]], [[Isaiah 60:19]]).
Furthermore, Neri's inclusion in a genealogy relates him to the broader biblical concept of lineages and their theological significance. Genealogies serve to establish identity, inheritance, and, crucially for the New Testament, the messianic claim of Jesus as the Son of David and the Son of Abraham.
### Theological Significance
While Neri himself is not a figure of prominent action or teaching in the biblical narrative, his inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus in Luke's Gospel carries significant theological weight. His presence underscores God's sovereign hand in orchestrating the precise lineage through which the Messiah would come. Every individual in this chain, including Neri, played an indispensable role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
The etymological meaning of Neri's name, "lamp of Yahweh," subtly resonates with the overarching theme of divine light throughout salvation history. From the creation of light ([[Genesis 1:3]]) to the revelation of God's law as a lamp ([[Proverbs 6:23]]), and ultimately to Jesus Christ, who declared Himself to be the "light of the world" ([[John 8:12]]), the imagery of divine illumination is central. Although Neri lived centuries before Christ, his name implicitly points to the divine light that guided and illuminated the path toward the coming of the true Light. His very name suggests a lineage that, in some sense, carried or reflected the divine presence and guidance through the generations.
### Summary
G3518 (Νηρί, *Nērí*) is a Greek proper noun derived from the Hebrew `{{H5374}}` (נֵרִיָּה, *Neriyah*), meaning "lamp of Yahweh." It appears singularly in the New Testament, specifically in [[Luke 3:27]], where Neri is identified as an ancestor of Jesus in the Lukan genealogy. Although a figure without narrative detail, his inclusion is vital for establishing the historical and theological continuity of Jesus's lineage. The name's intrinsic meaning, "lamp of Yahweh," subtly reinforces the pervasive biblical theme of divine light and guidance, culminating in Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's illuminating presence in the world.
TRV