Ἀσά

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word Asá, represented by G760, is a proper name of Hebrew origin for an Israelite. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. Its use is exclusively found within the genealogical record, where it serves to identify a specific individual in the ancestral line of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G760 appears solely in the genealogy presented in the Gospel of Matthew. The name establishes a crucial generational link. Asa is identified as the son who was begotten by Abia G7 Matthew 1:7. He, in turn, is recorded as the father who begat G1080 Josaphat G2498, continuing the royal lineage from Solomon Matthew 1:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for Asa's place in the lineage:

• G7 Abiá (Abijah, the name of two Israelites): This is the name of Asa's father, placing Asa as the grandson of Roboam Matthew 1:7.
• G2498 Iōsaphát (Josaphat (i.e. Jehoshaphat), an Israelite): This is the name of the son whom Asa begat, continuing the line of descent Matthew 1:8.
• G1080 gennáō (to procreate... beget): This key verb is used in both instances with Asa's name, defining his function as a procreator within the genealogical record Matthew 1:7-8.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G760 is tied entirely to its position within the genealogy of the Messiah.

• Genealogical Continuity: Asa's name serves as an essential link, connecting the line from his father, Abia G7, to his son, Josaphat G2498. This inclusion is vital for demonstrating the unbroken lineage from King Solomon to Jesus Matthew 1:7-8.
• Kingly Ancestry: As a descendant of Solomon G4672 and Roboam G4497, and an ancestor of Joram G2496 and Ozias G3604, Asa's inclusion helps document the royal succession that is central to Matthew's presentation of Jesus as the promised King.

Summary

In summary, G760 is the name Asá, an individual whose sole mention in the text is to serve as a generational connector in the lineage of Christ. While the name itself carries no complex definition, its presence is crucial for the integrity of the genealogy recorded in Matthew, affirming the historical and ancestral line leading from the kings of Israel to the Messiah.