Matthew 1:1–6 (WEL) The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. 2 Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, and Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar; Perez fathered Hezron; Hezron fathered Ram. 4 Ram fathered Amminadab; Amminadab fathered Nahshon; Nahshon fathered Salmon. 5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab; Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth; Obed fathered Jesse. 6 Jesse fathered David, the king; David fathered Solomon by the wife of Uriah.
Chapter summary:
Joseph Benson:
In this chapter we have:
- The genealogy of Christ, in the line of Joseph, showing him to be descended from David and Abraham, in forty-two generations, divided into three fourteens, Matthew 1:1–17.
- An account of the circumstances of his birth, as far as was necessary to show that he was born of a virgin, according to the prediction of the Prophet Isaiah, (chap. Isaiah 7:14,) Matthew 1:18–25.
V1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.
Jesus (Yeshua, which is shortened from Yehoshua) is the Anglicization of the Greek name G2424 Ἰησοῦς Iēsous.
Christ is the Anglicization of the Greek word G5547 Χριστός Christos, which means anointed because of the holy oil poured on the head of kings (A king of Israel was described on occasion as christos tou Kuriou, “the anointed of the Lord,” 1 Samuel 2:10) and the High Priests of Israel (Leviticus 4:3, Leviticus 4:5, Leviticus 8:12). The Persian king Cyrus, Isaiah 45:1 is also given this title.
This anointing is a special ritual to indicate God’s spirit is upon them to perform all the mission of that office. (Vine NT): “The prophets are called hoi christoi Theou, ‘the anointed of God,’ Psalm 105:15.”
The Hebrew word anoint is H4899 מָשִׁיחַ mâšiyaḥ; from 4886 anointed.
Interestingly, the first relationship of this word for Israel (and Gentile) deliverer is first used in 2 Esdras 7:28-29 For my son Jesus shall be revealed with those that be with him, and shall rejoice those who remain four hundred years. 29 After these years shall my son Christ die of those who, and all that have the breath of life.”
Anointing:
(The Moody Handbook of Theology) “Oil is a type of the Holy Spirit inasmuch as the Old Testament practice of anointing priests and kings served as a type of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Zechariah 4:1–14 illustrates the significance of oil as a type; oil depicted the Holy Spirit’s power in strengthening Joshua and Zerubbabel to lead the people in completing the construction of the temple in 515 B.C. The constant flow of oil from the lampstand (v. 2) to the two leaders (Zechariah 4:3 and Zechariah 4:14) is interpreted in verse 6, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” In 1 Samuel 10:1 Samuel anointed Saul as king of Israel, the anointing representing the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him to lead the people (1 Samuel 10:6, 10). The Old Testament events, however, were only types for the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.”
(The Moody Handbook of Theology)
“OIL AS A TYPE OF THE SPIRIT
Significance
- Spirit given for ministry. (Exodus 40:9–16 and Acts 1:8)
- Spirit illuminates. (Exodus 27:20–21 and 1 John 2:20)
- Spirit cleanses and sanctifies. (Leviticus 8:30; 14:17; and Romans 8:2–3)
Anointing is a special endowment from God to do God’s work. How much and what applications it applies to are related to the task God has called them to.
V2 Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, and Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers.”
Abraham was called by God as a Gentile in (modern-day Iraq), believed God, then was acquitted by God (faith then regeneration—Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4:1–4), and received many promises and blessings. His mistakes are listed in Scripture as well as his great faith.
Modern-day Ur is (BraveAI): “On modern maps, the site most widely identified by scholars as Ur of the Chaldeans is located at Tell el-Muqayyar (also known as Tall al-Muqayyar) in the Dhi Qar Governorate of southern Iraq.”
V3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar; Perez fathered Hezron; Hezron fathered Ram.
V4 Ram fathered Amminadab; Amminadab fathered Nahshon; Nahshon fathered Salmon.
V5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab; Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth; Obed fathered Jesse.
V6 Jesse fathered David, the king; David fathered Solomon by the wife of Uriah.
Verses 3–6 are the line from Judah (Genesis 49:8–12), who received the promise of kings and Messiah, to Solomon.
We learn:
- Messiah’s lineage from Abraham to Joseph, the guardian of Jesus, Son of God.
- The direct line from Judah to Solomon (in our passage today).
Questions:
- Do you believe Jesus is a Jew?
- Are you faithful and believing like Abraham?