Matthew 1:12 kjv

And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

Matthew 1:12 nkjv

And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel.

Matthew 1:12 niv

After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Matthew 1:12 esv

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Matthew 1:12 nlt

After the Babylonian exile:
Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.

Matthew 1 verses

Matthew 1 12 Meaning

Matthew 1:12 marks a critical turning point in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, highlighting the period "after the deportation to Babylon." This verse records the immediate descendants of Jechoniah (also known as Jehoiachin), the last Davidic king to reign in Jerusalem before the Babylonian exile, specifically naming Shealtiel and his son Zerubbabel. It signifies God's preservation of the Davidic royal line even through exile and apparent judgment, underscoring the divine faithfulness that ensures the lineage leading to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This transition shifts the focus from an earthly reigning monarchy to a people living in exile, awaiting the promised king whose kingdom is not of this world.

Matthew 1 12 Context

Matthew 1:12 is situated within the meticulously constructed genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His lineage from Abraham through David to Joseph, Jesus' legal father. The genealogy is structured into three sections of fourteen generations each, symbolizing completeness and divine ordering. The "deportation to Babylon" (v. 11, repeated here) marks a pivotal division, signaling the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the post-exilic period, leading to the coming of the Messiah. This verse particularly highlights God's continued covenant faithfulness amidst judgment and exile. Despite the catastrophic national disaster of the Babylonian captivity and the apparent termination of the Davidic monarchy, God preserved the royal line through these individuals, preparing the way for Jesus. The mention of Jechoniah brings to mind the divine judgment prophesied by Jeremiah (Jer 22:24-30) that no descendant of Jechoniah would sit on David's throne, which is fulfilled not by Jechoniah's sons ruling, but by the legal lineage being preserved to Joseph, the foster-father of the Messiah, whose kingship transcends earthly thrones.

Matthew 1 12 Word analysis

• And (Greek: kai - καὶ): A common conjunction, simply connecting this generation to the previous. In genealogies, it continues the linear progression.
• after (Greek: meta - μετὰ): Means "after" or "subsequent to" in time. It marks a clear chronological break and introduces a new era or phase following the preceding event.
• the deportation (Greek: tēs metoikesias - τῆς μετοικεσίας): This significant term refers to "a change of habitation," or "removal from a settlement," specifically a forced relocation or exile. It vividly portrays the devastating impact of the Babylonian conquest on Judah, not merely as a war but as a foundational shift in the national existence, emphasizing the divine judgment and the loss of land and sovereignty.
• to Babylon (Greek: Babylōnos - Βαβυλῶνος): The specific destination of the exile. Babylon represents the peak of Gentile power that subjugated Israel and signifies the low point of Judah's history due to disobedience to God. It marks the shift from a kingdom in the Promised Land to a community scattered among the nations.
• Jechoniah (Greek: Iechonias - Ἰεχονίας): The form used by Matthew, referring to King Jehoiachin (also called Coniah in Jer 22:24-30 and Jeconiah). He was the last reigning king of Judah before the exile. His presence in the genealogy is crucial because of Jeremiah's prophecy that none of his seed would sit on the throne of David, a prophecy that is ultimately satisfied in Christ's spiritual kingship, rather than a continuation of an earthly Davidic monarch on Jerusalem's throne. Matthew connects Jesus to the legal right to the throne through Joseph.
• begat (Greek: egennēsen - ἐγέννησεν): The standard genealogical term meaning "fathered" or "sired." While ancient genealogies can sometimes include adoptive relationships or simply mark descent over generations, here it strongly indicates direct biological lineage, especially with the clarity of Old Testament records like 1 Chr 3:17 that affirm Shealtiel as Jechoniah's son.
• Shealtiel (Greek: Salathiel - Σαλαθιήλ): The son of Jechoniah. He is a pivotal figure in this generation as he bridges the pre-exilic royal line with the post-exilic leadership, fathering Zerubbabel. He represents the survival of the Davidic line through exile, showcasing God's continued covenantal faithfulness.
• and Shealtiel begat Zerubbabel (Greek: kai Salathiel egennēsen Zorobabel - καὶ Σαλαθιήλ ἐγέννησεν Ζοροβάβελ): This clause continues the direct lineage. It confirms Zerubbabel as Shealtiel's son, establishing him as the grandson of Jechoniah. This specific generational link is crucial as Zerubbabel became a significant leader in the return from exile and the rebuilding of the Temple. His inclusion connects the line to a figure of hope and restoration.

• "after the deportation to Babylon": This phrase functions as a profound chronological and theological marker. It signals a shift from the independent Davidic kingdom to the period of the return from exile and eventually, the intertestamental period. It also serves as a somber reminder of divine judgment against Judah's idolatry and rebellion, but implicitly also of God's redemptive purpose, preserving a remnant and the messianic line.
• "Jechoniah begat Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begat Zerubbabel": This specific three-generation sequence highlights the direct survival of the royal lineage despite the national catastrophe and the prophetic "curse" on Jechoniah in Jeremiah 22. It demonstrates that while the earthly kingly throne was temporarily unoccupied, the divine promise to David regarding a perpetual line of descendants (2 Sam 7) remained active, albeit through figures like Shealtiel and Zerubbabel who did not rule as kings, but held significant roles as governor (Zerubbabel) or ancestors in the preserved line.

Matthew 1 12 Bonus section

The genealogical break at the Babylonian exile is crucial for understanding Matthew's tri-partite division of fourteen generations (Matt 1:17). This specific verse signals the transition from the period of the Davidic monarchy to the post-exilic period, emphasizing the 14 generations from the exile to Christ. The selection of fourteen, representing twice seven, implies a divinely ordered symmetry, conveying completeness and purpose in God's redemptive plan leading to the Messiah. This verse also implicitly addresses the prophetic words in Jeremiah 22:24-30, where God declares that "no man of his [Jehoiachin's/Jechoniah's] descendants shall prosper, sitting on the throne of David." Matthew’s genealogy, specifically linking Jesus to Jechoniah through Joseph (Jesus' legal father), ensures that no biological son of Jechoniah literally sat on the throne as King after the exile. Jesus' kingship, established through resurrection and spiritual authority, transcends the earthly throne curse. Luke's genealogy, in contrast, tracks a different line for Shealtiel (Luke 3:27 mentions Shealtiel as the son of Neri, not Jechoniah), likely tracing Mary's biological lineage, which ensures Jesus' physical descent from David independent of the cursed line. Matthew focuses on Joseph's legal claim, crucial for Messianic kingship.

Matthew 1 12 Commentary

Matthew 1:12 concisely articulates a major inflection point in Israel's redemptive history and the Davidic line. The "deportation to Babylon" was not merely a historical event; it was God's severe judgment on Judah for centuries of idolatry and unfaithfulness. Yet, even in this devastating punishment, God's sovereign hand worked to preserve His covenant promises. Jechoniah, the last king before the exile, and the pronouncements of Jeremiah 22 regarding his inability to have a ruling descendant, pose a seeming theological challenge. Matthew resolves this by continuing the legal Davidic line through Joseph, preserving the right to the throne for Jesus. Jechoniah begat Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begat Zerubbabel. Neither Shealtiel nor Zerubbabel (who was a governor, not a king) sat on David's throne in Jerusalem. This effectively bypasses the curse while maintaining the legal claim through the father's side. Zerubbabel, a leader in the post-exilic community and the rebuilding of the temple, serves as a beacon of hope and a prefigurement of the ultimate builder and King, Jesus Christ. This verse thus demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness, even amidst human failure and divine judgment, actively preparing the stage for the true Davidic King, Jesus, whose reign is eternal and spiritual, not confined to an earthly throne.