Μελχεί G3197
Melchi, an ancestor of Jesus mentioned twice in Luke's genealogy, possibly two different individuals
A name appearing twice in Luke's genealogy (3:24, 3:28), likely representing two different ancestors of Jesus separated by several generations. The name derives from Hebrew melek ('king'), making it a theophoric abbreviation like Melchizedek. Luke's genealogical method traces Joseph's line (or possibly Mary's) back through David to Adam, including many names unknown from other sources. The repetition of names within genealogies was common in ancient Jewish families.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Luke 3:24 and 3:28 position two men named Melchi in Jesus' ancestry. The Hebrew etymology (king) gives the name royal associations appropriate for Davidic lineage. All translations simply transliterate. The genealogical purpose establishes Jesus' legal claim to David's throne through Joseph, even as Matthew and Luke trace different specific routes through David's many descendants. 2×
AR["مَلْكِي"]·ben["মল্খির"]·DE["Melchi"]·EN["Melchi"]·FR["Melchi"]·heb["מַלְכִּי"]·HI["मलकी"]·ID["Melkhi"]·IT["melchi"]·jav["Melkhi,"]·KO["멜기-의"]·PT["Melqui"]·RU["Мелхиев"]·ES["Melchí"]·SW["Melchí"]·TR["Melhi"]·urd["ملکی-کا"]
Related Senses
G3588 1. definite article (18298×)H0853 1. definite direct object marker (10915×)G2532 1. (8312×)H3068 1. YHWH (the divine name) (6522×)H0834a 1. relative pronoun (who/which/that) (4839×)H3588a 1. causal: because, for (3498×)G1161 1. and (2806×)H3478 1. Israel (proper name and nation) (2507×)G4771 1. you (plural address) (1853×)H1931 1. personal pronoun he/she/it (1431×)G3739 1. relative pronoun who/which/that (1149×)H1732 1. David (proper name) (1075×)H2088 1. this, this one (demonstrative) (1059×)G1063 1. (1047×)G3778 1. this thing, these things (1003×)H???? 2. (1002×)G2424 1. (924×)G3754 1. that (content clause) (881×)H2009 1. presentative particle: behold, look (881×)H0589 1. I (first person singular pronoun) (874×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
Μελχεί (Rec. -χί), indecl., ὁ (Heb. מֶלֶךְ), Melchi: Luk.3:24, 28.† (From Abbott-Smith. LSJ has no entry)