Sem
TextsWhat is the meaning of Sem in the Bible?
In specific Greek manuscripts of Luke 3:36, the name Shem appears as the variant reading SEM, indicating a distinct textual tradition within the transmission of the New Testament genealogy.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Noting this variant reading helps readers appreciate the complexity of New Testament textual history and how slight variations in biblical names were preserved across different manuscript traditions.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Sem functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Sem in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sem clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Luke 3:36
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Sem." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sem/