King James Bible
"Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,"
This portion continues Luke's genealogy of Jesus, tracing through lesser-known ancestors during the post-exilic period. These names, though obscure to modern readers, would have validated Jesus' Jewish heritage and connected him to the covenant community that survived the Babylonian exile. The genealogy progresses backward through time, with each generation affirming Jesus' legitimate descent from David through Nathan's line rather than the royal line of Solomon. This alternative lineage may reflect Luke's emphasis on Jesus as the Messiah for all people, not just political Israel.