### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek proper noun `{{G4527}}` (Salá) is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name `{{H7976}}` (Shelach). As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to identifying a specific individual within biblical genealogies. The underlying Hebrew root שֶׁלַח (Shelach) carries meanings such as "a dart," "a weapon," or "a sending forth," though these etymological nuances do not directly transfer to the individual's identity or role beyond naming him. In essence, `{{G4527}}` signifies the patriarch himself, a key link in the lineage leading to Abraham and ultimately to the Messiah.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, `{{G4527}}` (Salá) appears exclusively in the genealogy of Jesus recorded by Luke: [[Luke 3:35]]. Here, Salá is identified as the son of Cainan (though this inclusion is debated among textual traditions, particularly in comparison to the Masoretic Text of the Old Testament which omits Cainan between Arphaxad and Shelach) and the father of Eber. His position in this lineage places him several generations after the Great Flood and before Abraham, firmly within the patriarchal period.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew equivalent `{{H7976}}` (Shelach) is found in the genealogies of Genesis, specifically [[Genesis 10:24]] and [[Genesis 11:13-15]], as well as in [[1 Chronicles 1:18]] and [[1 Chronicles 1:24]]. These occurrences consistently place him as a descendant of Shem, son of Noah, and an ancestor of Abraham. The consistent inclusion of Salá (Shelach) across these foundational biblical genealogies underscores his historical reality and his vital role as a link in the divinely ordained lineage.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H7976}}` (Shelach), from which `{{G4527}}` is derived. Conceptually, Salá is intrinsically linked to the broader biblical themes of:
* **Genealogy:** As a name in the Messianic line, Salá highlights the meticulous record-keeping and historical continuity of God's redemptive plan.
* **Patriarchs:** He belongs to the long line of foundational figures whose lives and descendants shaped the early history of humanity and the chosen people.
* **Covenant Promises:** His existence is a testament to the unfolding of God's promises, particularly those related to the seed of the woman and the lineage through which blessing would come to all nations.
* **Historical Continuity:** The inclusion of such figures emphasizes the historical rootedness of biblical truth and the tangible progression of God's work through time.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{G4527}}` (Salá) lies not in any specific action or teaching attributed to him, but in his very existence and placement within the sacred lineage. His inclusion in Luke's genealogy of Jesus serves several crucial theological purposes:
1. **Divine Faithfulness:** Salá's presence attests to God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving the promised line through countless generations, even through periods of obscurity or hardship.
2. **Historical Incarnation:** By tracing Jesus' ancestry back through figures like Salá to Adam, Luke emphasizes the full humanity of Christ and His deep historical connection to all humanity, fulfilling God's plan from creation.
3. **Continuity of Redemption:** Salá represents a vital link in the chain of redemption, demonstrating that God's plan was not an improvisation but a carefully orchestrated unfolding across millennia, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ.
4. **Biblical Authority:** The meticulous preservation and repetition of these genealogies across different biblical books (Genesis, Chronicles, Luke) underscore the historical integrity and divine inspiration of Scripture.
### Summary
`{{G4527}}` (Salá) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew patriarch Shelach (`{{H7976}}`), a significant figure in the pre-Abrahamic lineage. While no specific narratives are recounted about him, his consistent appearance in biblical genealogies, notably in [[Luke 3:35]] as an ancestor of Jesus, underscores his crucial role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Salá's inclusion highlights divine faithfulness in preserving the Messianic line, the historical reality of the Incarnation, and the continuous nature of God's covenant promises across generations, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ.
TRV