Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:Mainan is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. His name appears in the lineage that traces Jesus' ancestry back to Adam, highlighting the fulfillment of messianic prophecies and the divine plan of salvation through Jesus. Mainan is a lesser-known figure, and his mention is primarily significant for his place in the genealogical record.
Biblical Reference:Mainan is found in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke. The relevant passage is
Luke 3:31, which states: "the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David," . In this verse, Mainan is referred to as "Menna" in some translations, indicating a possible variation in the spelling of his name.
Genealogical Context:Mainan is part of the genealogy that connects Jesus to King David, underscoring Jesus' rightful place in the Davidic line. This lineage is crucial for establishing Jesus as the promised Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah would come from the house of David (
2 Samuel 7:12-16;
Isaiah 11:1). The genealogy in Luke is distinct from the one in Matthew, as it traces Jesus' lineage through Nathan, another son of David, rather than Solomon. This difference highlights the comprehensive nature of Jesus' ancestry, encompassing both royal and prophetic lines.
Theological Significance:The inclusion of Mainan in the genealogy of Jesus serves to emphasize the historical and theological continuity of God's redemptive plan. Each name in the genealogy, including Mainan, represents a link in the chain of God's covenantal promises. The genealogy in Luke underscores the humanity of Jesus, tracing His lineage back to Adam, the first man, and thereby affirming Jesus as the Savior for all humanity.
Cultural and Historical Insights:While there is limited information about Mainan outside of the genealogical record, his inclusion in the Gospel of Luke reflects the importance of genealogies in Jewish culture. Genealogies were vital for establishing identity, inheritance rights, and tribal affiliations. For early Christians, these records also served to validate Jesus' messianic claims and His fulfillment of the Scriptures.
Conclusion:Mainan, though a minor figure in the biblical narrative, plays a crucial role in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. His mention in Luke's Gospel contributes to the broader theological narrative of Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and the world.
Greek
3104.Mainan --Mainan.... 3103c, 3104.
Mainan. 3105 .
Mainan. Part of Speech: Proper Noun,
Indeclinable Transliteration:
Mainan Phonetic Spelling: (mahee
...Thesaurus
Mainan (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Mainan (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:31 the 'son' of Melea, the
'son' of
Mainan, the 'son' of Mattatha, the 'son' of Nathan, (YLT).
...Main (17 Occurrences)
Menna (1 Occurrence)
... men'-a (Menna Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek, Tregelles, Tischendorf;
Mainan Textus Receptus of the New Testament; the King James Version Menan...
Mat'tatha (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mat'tatha (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:31 the 'son' of Melea,
the 'son' ofMainan, the 'son' of Mattatha, the 'son' of Nathan, (See RSV)....
Mainland (3 Occurrences)
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