STRONGS NT 3104: ΜεννάΜεννά or Μεννας, see Μαϊνάν.

Menna appears a single time in Holy Scripture, Luke 3:31, situated in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus between Melea and Mattatha: “the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David” (Luke 3:31).

Historical Setting

1. Post-exilic Lineage

The names between Zerubbabel and Joseph in Luke 3 arise from the centuries after the Old Testament record closes. Menna therefore belongs to the faithful remnant whose lives spanned Persian, Greek, and early Roman rule, silently carrying forward the Davidic promise.
2. Textual Variants

Ancient manuscripts alternate between Μεννά (Menna), Μενάν (Menan), or Μαϊνάν (Mainan). The variations show normal scribal transmission yet leave Luke’s historical argument intact: every generation from David to Jesus is preserved.
3. Possible Hebrew Roots

While the precise Hebrew equivalent is uncertain, scholars suggest affinity with names such as Manahath (1 Chronicles 8:6) or Menuhah (Nehemiah 11:7), indicating Luke’s dependence on authentic family documents that outlived the exile.

Place in Luke’s Genealogy

• Human Solidarity: Luke traces Jesus back to Adam, and Menna underscores Christ’s full entry into ordinary human history.
• Nathanic Branch: By following Nathan rather than Solomon, Luke highlights the physical line of David distinct from the legal-royal line in Matthew, and Menna serves as a necessary link in that chain.
• Continuity of Promise: Menna’s generation illustrates that the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) was never suspended, even when public prophecy was silent.

Theological Significance

1. Reliability of Scripture

Luke’s inclusion of otherwise unknown figures proves his “careful investigation” (Luke 1:3). The Gospel writer’s precision invites confidence in every detail of the biblical record.
2. God’s Regard for the Obscure

Scripture immortalizes Menna though history remembers no deeds of his. His mention affirms that every believer, no matter how hidden, is indispensable in the outworking of redemption (1 Corinthians 12:22).
3. Sovereignty Across Generations

Menna’s life fell in an era dominated by Gentile powers, yet the messianic lineage advanced unhindered, illustrating that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).

Ministry Applications

• Encouragement for Unheralded Service: Menna’s silent faithfulness motivates modern saints who labor away from public view.
• Teaching Genealogies Devotionally: In preaching or Bible study, Menna can demonstrate that divine promises unfold through real families and ordinary days.
• Apologetic Value: Genealogical precision bolsters the historical credibility of the Gospel, countering claims that New Testament writers were careless with facts.

Related Passages

2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 1:6-16; Luke 3:23-38; Romans 1:3; Romans 11:29.

Questions for Reflection

1. How does Menna’s inclusion deepen assurance that God notices every generation and every believer?
2. In what ways might your own “hidden” service form part of a larger plan known fully only to God?