Luke 3:34
Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰακὼβ
Which was the son of Jacob
G2384
Ἰακὼβ
Which was the son of Jacob
Strong's:
G2384
Word #:
2 of 10
jacob (i.e., ja`akob), the progenitor of the israelites
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰσαὰκ
which was the son of Isaac
G2464
Ἰσαὰκ
which was the son of Isaac
Strong's:
G2464
Word #:
4 of 10
isaac (i.e., jitschak), the son of abraham
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θάρα
which was the son of Thara
G2291
Θάρα
which was the son of Thara
Strong's:
G2291
Word #:
8 of 10
thara (i.e., terach), the father of abraham
Historical Context
The patriarchal period (circa 2000-1800 BC) established foundational covenant promises: land, descendants, and blessing to nations. Abraham's faith-righteousness (Genesis 15:6) became Paul's paradigm for justification by faith (Romans 4). Isaac's sacrifice foreshadowed Jesus's substitutionary atonement. Jacob's wrestling with God pictured Israel's history of struggle and transformation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's identity as the 'Seed of Abraham' fulfill God's promise that through Abraham all nations would be blessed?
- What does Isaac's miraculous birth teach about God's pattern of bringing life from impossibility, culminating in Jesus's virgin birth?
- How should the patriarchs' lives of faith despite personal failures encourage your confidence in God's covenantal faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham—The genealogy reaches the patriarchs: Abraham (Ἀβραάμ) received God's covenant promise that through his seed all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3; 22:18). Isaac (Ἰσαάκ) was the child of promise, born miraculously to aged parents, prefiguring Jesus's virgin birth. Jacob (Ἰακώβ) was renamed Israel, father of the twelve tribes, embodying God's electing grace despite personal unworthiness.
These three patriarchs form the covenant foundation for Israel's entire history. The phrase "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (Exodus 3:6) defines Yahweh's covenant character. Jesus explicitly invoked this patriarchal formula when teaching resurrection (Luke 20:37), establishing continuity between Old Testament promises and New Testament fulfillment. Luke's inclusion emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate Seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16).