of Hebrew origin (רְעוּ); Ragau (i.e. Reu), a patriarch:--Ragau.
Transliteration:Rhagaû
Pronunciation:hrag-ow'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
Ῥαγαῦ (`{{G4466}}`) is a proper noun, serving as the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Reu (`{{H7467}}`). The Hebrew name Reu is derived from the verbal root רָעָה (ra'ah), which primarily means "to feed," "to shepherd," or "to associate with." Thus, the name Reu could carry connotations such as "friend," "shepherd," or "companion." However, in its New Testament usage, Ῥαγαῦ functions exclusively as a personal name within a genealogical context, and its semantic range is limited to identifying a specific individual in the patriarchal lineage. The etymological meaning is not activated or emphasized in the biblical texts where this Greek form appears.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Greek term Ῥαγαῦ (`{{G4466}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the genealogy of Jesus Christ recorded by Luke:
* [[Luke 3:35]]: "the son of Serug, the son of Ragau, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah..."
In this passage, Ῥαγαῦ is listed as an ancestor of Jesus, positioned between Peleg and Serug. This placement aligns with the Old Testament genealogies found in Genesis and Chronicles. The Septuagint (LXX) also uses Ῥαγαῦ to translate the Hebrew רְעוּ (`{{H7467}}`) in several instances, including:
* [[Genesis 11:18]]: "And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Ragau."
* [[Genesis 11:19]]: "And Peleg lived after he begat Ragau two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters."
* [[Genesis 11:20]]: "And Ragau lived thirty-two years, and begat Serug."
* [[1 Chronicles 1:25]]: "Reu, Serug, Nahor..."
In all these occurrences, Ῥαγαῦ consistently refers to the same individual, a patriarch in the line from Noah's son Shem to Abraham. The context is purely genealogical, serving to establish and preserve the historical continuity of the lineage through which God's redemptive plan would unfold.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the Hebrew original, רְעוּ (`{{H7467}}`), Reu. Understanding the etymology of Reu, derived from רָעָה (ra'ah), connects it to concepts of "shepherding" or "friendship," though these meanings are not semantically active in the New Testament usage of Ῥαγαῦ.
Conceptually, Ῥαγαῦ is intimately linked to the broader theme of *biblical genealogies*. These genealogies, especially those in Luke and Matthew, are crucial for demonstrating the historical reality of Jesus's human ancestry and his fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's lineage. Ῥαγαῦ stands alongside other pre-Abrahamic patriarchs like Peleg (`{{G4077}}`), Serug (`{{G4517}}`), Nahor (`{{G3485}}`), and Terah (`{{G5089}}`), forming the critical bridge between the post-Flood world and the Abrahamic covenant. The meticulous preservation of such names highlights the divine oversight of redemptive history.
### Theological Significance
While Ῥαγαῦ is not a figure with an active narrative role or specific teachings attributed to him, his inclusion in the Lucan genealogy ([[Luke 3:35]]) carries profound theological significance. His presence underscores the *historicity and continuity of God's redemptive plan*. By tracing Jesus's lineage back through Ῥαγαῦ and other patriarchs to Adam, Luke emphasizes Jesus's connection to all humanity, affirming his full humanity and his role as the "second Adam" who redeems fallen humanity.
The very act of preserving such a detailed lineage, even for individuals like Ῥαγαῦ who are merely named, speaks to God's *sovereign faithfulness and providential care*. It demonstrates that God meticulously guided and preserved a specific line through which His covenant promises would be realized, culminating in the birth of the Messiah. The inclusion of Ῥαγαῦ reinforces the notion that God works through real people in real history to accomplish His eternal purposes, demonstrating the reliability and trustworthiness of His promises across generations.
### Summary
Ῥαγαῦ (`{{G4466}}`) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew patriarchal name Reu (`{{H7467}}`). In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in the Lucan genealogy of Jesus Christ ([[Luke 3:35]]), identifying him as an ancestor positioned between Peleg and Serug. This usage is consistent with its occurrences in the Septuagint and Old Testament, where he is part of the pre-Abrahamic lineage. Ῥαγαῦ functions purely as a proper noun, with its etymological meaning ("friend," "shepherd") not actively employed in its New Testament context. Theologically, Ῥαγαῦ is significant not for any personal narrative, but for his integral role in the divinely preserved ancestral line leading to the Messiah. His inclusion underscores the historical reality of God's redemptive plan and His unwavering faithfulness in guiding and preserving the lineage through which His ultimate covenant promises would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
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