Greek word · G3476
Ναασσών
naassōn
Nahshon
A personal name, from Hebrew Naḥšôn. It may be connected with nāḥāš, 'serpent', giving something like 'little serpent', but the meaning is not certain.
Appears 3 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
- Range of meaning
A personal name, from Hebrew Naḥšôn. It may be connected with nāḥāš, 'serpent', giving something like 'little serpent', but the meaning is not certain.
- Against the English
KJV keeps the Greek spelling 'Naasson'. Most modern versions give the Hebrew form 'Nahshon', which lets readers recognise the man from Exodus and Numbers.
- How it drifted
The KJV's Greek-based spelling hides the fact that this is the well-known chief of Judah in the Torah.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Exodus 6:23, where he is Aaron's brother-in-law. Numbers 1:7; 2:3; 7:12–17; 10:14, where he is chief of Judah, first to offer at the tabernacle and leader of the march. Also Ruth 4:20 and 1 Chronicles 2:10–11. Later rabbinic tradition (Mekhilta on Exodus 14; Babylonian Talmud Sotah 37a) tells that Nahshon jumped into the sea first, before it split. That legend comes after the New Testament and cannot be assumed to be in Matthew's mind.
Where it appears
Matthew · 2
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Matthew 1:4 Ναασσών· Ναασσὼν Nahshon;, Nahshon
Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon.
Here: Hebrew Naḥšôn. In the wilderness he was the appointed chief (nāśîʾ) of the tribe of Judah (Num 1:7; 2:3). He was the first to bring an offering at the dedication of the tabernacle (Num 7:12) and led Judah's division on the march (Num 10:14). He was also Aaron's brother-in-law (Exod 6:23). Anyone who knew the Torah would recognise him.
Luke · 1
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Luke 3:32 Ναασσὼν of Nahshon
the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.