Who was Esli in the bible?

Esli is a name listed in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus, appearing as one ancestor in the chain of descent. The Greek form Ἐσλί (Esli) is of Hebrew origin, probably corresponding to a Hebrew name identified by Strong’s as H0454.

Esli in Scripture

Esli appears only within Luke’s genealogical sequence describing Jesus’ lineage “as was supposed” through Joseph. The setting for the list is introduced when Luke situates Jesus at the beginning of his public work and then traces a line of “son of” relationships.

Luke 3:23 (WEB): “Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,”

From that point, Luke continues by naming successive ancestors. Esli is included among them, positioned between Nahum and Naggai. Luke presents him not with a narrative episode but as a link in a descending chain of fathers and sons.

Luke 3:25 (WEB): “the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,”

This verse places Esli within a specific segment of the genealogy: Nahum is identified as “the son of Esli,” and Esli is identified as “the son of Naggai.” Luke’s list continues onward beyond Esli, maintaining the same formula and thereby showing Esli’s location within a broader ancestral framework.

Luke 3:24 (WEB): “the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,”

Luke 3:26 (WEB): “the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,”

Luke 3:27 (WEB): “the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,”

Luke 3:28 (WEB): “the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,”

Within this continuous genealogy, Esli is therefore presented solely as an ancestral name, part of the line Luke recites in connection with Jesus’ family line through Joseph “(as was supposed).” No additional actions, locations, or biographical details are provided for Esli beyond the relationship statements that name him as the father of Nahum and the son of Naggai.

Name and Meaning

In the Greek text, the name is written Ἐσλί, transliterated Esli and pronounced “es-lee’.” Strong’s identifies it as a Greek form “of Hebrew origin,” probably standing in for a Hebrew name referenced as H0454.

Observation

Luke’s genealogy situates Esli among many named ancestors by repeating the same relational wording—“the son of …”—placing him as one link in the lineage Luke recounts when “Jesus himself, when he began to teach,” is introduced (Luke 3:23–25).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Esli in the Bible?

Esli is a person named in a genealogy in Luke 3:25, listed as an ancestor: “…the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai…” (Luke 3:25).

Where is Esli mentioned in the Bible?

Esli is mentioned in Luke 3:25.

How many times does Esli appear in the Bible?

Esli appears 1 time.

What does the name Esli mean?

The name is given as “Esli” (of Hebrew origin).

Explore Further

If you found this page about Esli interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.

Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).