Σήμ

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word Sḗm, represented by G4590, is a name for the patriarch Sem. The term is of Hebrew origin and appears 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its sole purpose is to identify a specific individual within a patriarchal lineage.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single biblical use of G4590 is found within the genealogy presented in the Gospel of Luke. In this context, Sem is identified as the son of Noe G3575 and the father of Arphaxad G742. This placement solidifies his role as a key ancestral figure in the post-diluvian era Luke 3:36.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words are presented alongside G4590 to establish this specific genealogical line:

• G3575 Nōe: A patriarch, identified as the father of Sem Luke 3:36. He is also noted as a "preacher of righteousness" who was saved by preparing an ark 2 Peter 2:5.
• G742 Arphaxád: A post-diluvian patriarch, listed as the son of Sem Luke 3:36.
• G2536 Kaïnán: The name of a patriarch, identified as the son of Arphaxad and grandson of Sem Luke 3:36.
• G2984 Lámech: A patriarch, who is named as the father of Noe in the same lineage Luke 3:36.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4590 is tied directly to its function within biblical genealogy.

• Genealogical Connection: The name Sem serves as a critical link in the ancestral line recorded in Luke, connecting the patriarch Noe with the generations that followed the flood.
• Post-diluvian Lineage: As the son of Noe G3575 and father of the "post-diluvian patriarch" Arphaxad G742, his position is foundational to the lineage that emerges after the flood.
• Inheritor of Righteousness: Being the son of Noah, who is described as a "preacher of righteousness" saved by faith 2 Peter 2:5, Sem is part of a key patriarchal line that continued after God's judgment on the "world of the ungodly" 2 Peter 2:5.

Summary

In summary, G4590 is not a word with broad conceptual meaning but is the proper name of a significant patriarch. Its importance comes from its singular mention in scripture, where it serves to establish a crucial point in the genealogy of faith. It functions as a linchpin, connecting the heritage of his father Noe to the line of his son Arphaxad, thereby anchoring a key part of ancestral history.