Matthew 1:13 kjv

And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

Matthew 1:13 nkjv

Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor.

Matthew 1:13 niv

Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor,

Matthew 1:13 esv

and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor,

Matthew 1:13 nlt

Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud.
Abiud was the father of Eliakim.
Eliakim was the father of Azor.

Matthew 1 verses

Matthew 1 13 Meaning

Matthew 1:13 continues the genealogy of Jesus, specifically stating that "Eliud begat Eleazar, and Eleazar begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Jacob." This verse presents three consecutive generations in the lineage of Joseph, the legal father of Jesus. Its primary significance lies in its contribution to establishing Jesus's credible claim as the Messiah, who was prophesied to be of the royal line of David, flowing directly from Abraham. It underscores God's meticulous preservation of a specific family line over centuries, fulfilling His ancient promises through human succession.

Matthew 1 13 Context

Matthew chapter 1 opens with the "book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." This establishes Jesus's messianic and royal credentials from the outset. The genealogy is meticulously structured into three distinct sections of fourteen generations each, from Abraham to David, from David to the Babylonian exile, and from the exile to the Christ. Matthew 1:13 falls within the final segment, highlighting the continuous chain of lineage leading directly to Joseph, the legal father of Jesus. In Jewish society, genealogies were critical for identity, inheritance, tribal affiliation, and, most importantly, for proving claims to leadership and, for the Messiah, proving connection to the royal house of David. This verse, therefore, serves as an indispensable link in validating Jesus's qualifications as the promised King of Israel.

Matthew 1 13 Word analysis

• Eliud (Greek: Elioud, Ἐλιούδ): Meaning likely "My God is praise" or "God of Majestie." He is a key link in the later generations post-exile, providing continuity in the Davidic line after the return to the land, which emphasizes God's ongoing watchfulness over the promise.
• begat (Greek: egennēsen, ἐγέννησεν): This Greek verb is used consistently throughout the genealogy. It signifies direct paternal lineage – a father procreating a son. The repetition of "begat" emphasizes the unbroken chain of human generations, carefully orchestrated by God, establishing an undeniable line leading to Jesus. It is not merely a record of biological succession but highlights divine faithfulness through the act of generation.
• Eleazar (Greek: Eleazar, Ἐλεάζαρ): Meaning "God has helped." This name resonates with several Old Testament figures, most notably Aaron's son, a high priest. While this Eleazar is not directly connected to the priestly line, the name itself serves as a subtle reminder of God's aid and assistance throughout history, preserving His chosen lineage.
• Matthan (Greek: Matthan, Μαθθάν): Meaning likely "Gift" or "Gift of Yahweh." His inclusion, like others, simply marks the progression of generations. The very act of this continuation is a gift from God, who sovereignly maintains the promised lineage despite challenges.
• Jacob (Greek: Iakōb, Ἰακώβ): Meaning "supplanter" or "he grasps the heel." This Jacob is Joseph's father and Jesus's legal grandfather, as clearly stated in Matthew 1:16. His name carries the significant weight of the patriarch Jacob (Israel), emphasizing that the promised blessing through Abraham continues through his direct descendants, all the way to Jesus.

Words-group analysis:

• "Eliud begat Eleazar, and Eleazar begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Jacob": This repetitive structure ("A begat B, and B begat C...") is typical of biblical genealogies. It highlights linear succession, historical accuracy, and the continuous unfolding of God's plan through ordinary human procreation. Each link in this chain, though seemingly mundane, is vital, serving to bridge the historical gap between earlier messianic promises and their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The unbroken nature of this specific sequence is crucial for validating the claims of Matthew's Gospel about Jesus's identity.

Matthew 1 13 Bonus section

• The repetitive "begat" structure serves as a liturgical affirmation for an ancient audience, emphasizing the divinely superintended continuity of the promised line through time.
• Matthew's genealogical method is highly selective, fitting the names into specific numeric patterns (three sets of fourteen generations, where 'fourteen' relates to the numeric value of David's Hebrew name 'DVD'). The inclusion of these particular names in this order indicates their specific fit within this structure, rather than necessarily a complete and exhaustive list of all intervening generations. This theological arrangement underscores Matthew's argument for Jesus's identity as the Christ.
• While these names do not typically feature prominently in sermons, their significance lies in the aggregate: each "begat" signifies divine providence overseeing the progression of time, people, and lineage towards the ultimate goal of Jesus Christ. It serves as a subtle, yet powerful, reminder that God works His purposes even through seemingly ordinary human succession.

Matthew 1 13 Commentary

Matthew 1:13, seemingly a simple list of names, is a profound statement about divine purpose and fidelity. In the broader context of Matthew's Gospel, which targets a Jewish audience, establishing Jesus's Davidic lineage was paramount. This verse, deeply embedded within the genealogy, contributes to proving that Jesus fits the Messianic requirements, flowing from the covenant with David (2 Sam 7) and Abraham (Gen 12). While the individual lives of Eliud, Eleazar, and Matthan are not detailed, their mere existence in this specific sequence testifies to God's precise and unbroken sovereignty over generations. The carefully selected names within Matthew's concise genealogy reinforce the theme of "God with us" (Immanuel) by showing that God orchestrates human history, including seemingly insignificant family trees, to bring about His ultimate plan of salvation through the promised Messiah.