Matthew 1:14 kjv

And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;

Matthew 1:14 nkjv

Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud.

Matthew 1:14 niv

Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud,

Matthew 1:14 esv

and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud,

Matthew 1:14 nlt

Azor was the father of Zadok.
Zadok was the father of Akim.
Akim was the father of Eliud.

Matthew 1 verses

Matthew 1 14 Meaning

Matthew 1:14 records a direct segment of the lineage of Jesus Christ through Joseph, stating that Eleazar was the father of Matthan, and Matthan was the father of Jacob. This verse, embedded within Matthew's genealogy from Abraham to Jesus, serves to affirm Jesus' legal claim to the throne of David by meticulously tracing His ancestral roots. It demonstrates God's faithful preservation of the messianic line, even through individuals whose lives are not extensively detailed elsewhere in Scripture, each generation a vital link leading to the promised Messiah.

Matthew 1 14 Context

Matthew 1:14 is an integral part of Matthew's opening genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matt 1:1-17). This genealogy is meticulously structured, explicitly stated in Matt 1:17 to be "fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the deportation to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ." Verse 14 falls within the third section of this structure, specifically leading directly to Jacob, who is identified as Joseph's father in verse 16. For its original Jewish audience, the meticulous listing of this lineage was crucial. Genealogies validated claims of heritage, inheritance, and tribal identity, especially concerning the Messiah, who was prophesied to be of the "house of David." Matthew presents this legal lineage through Joseph to demonstrate Jesus' rightful claim to David's throne, affirming His qualifications as the promised Jewish Messiah.

Matthew 1 14 Word analysis

• Eleazar (Ἐλεάζαρ - Eleazar): This name, meaning "God has helped," is common in biblical tradition, though this specific Eleazar is not the famous high priest Eleazar, son of Aaron. Here, he is presented as a direct ancestor of Matthan in the lineage of David, indicating divine preservation and continuity of the messianic line. His significance lies solely in his place as an indispensable link in the genealogical chain leading to Jesus Christ, rather than any recorded deeds or teachings.
• begot (ἔγεννησεν - egennēsen): This Greek aorist verb literally translates to "begat" or "fathered." It signifies direct patrilineal descent, implying a direct parental relationship and a legitimate biological or legal claim through the father. Its repetitive use throughout the genealogy (Matt 1:2-16) emphasizes the unbroken, successive generational links chosen and preserved by God, ensuring the rightful heritage of the Messiah. It underscores the historical reality and continuity of Jesus' ancestry.
• Matthan (Μαθθάν - Matthan): This name appears only in Matthew's genealogy within the Bible. Its meaning is possibly related to the Hebrew word for "gift." Similar to Eleazar, Matthan's importance is found solely in his role as a vital intermediate link in the divinely orchestrated lineage. He bridges the generation from Eleazar to Jacob, further authenticating the continuity of the Davidic line down to the immediate ancestors of Joseph.
• and (δὲ - de): A simple connective particle in Greek, translated as "and" or "but." In this genealogical context, it functions to link the preceding generation with the subsequent one, creating a smooth, continuous flow that traces the direct progression of father-to-son relationships. It ensures clarity in showing each generational step forward towards the climax of the genealogy: Jesus the Christ.
• Jacob (Ἰακὼβ - Iakōb): This is the Jacob, father of Joseph, Mary's husband (Matt 1:16), distinct from the patriarch Jacob. His appearance here is crucial as he represents the generation immediately preceding Joseph, the legal father of Jesus. While Luke's genealogy traces Jesus' ancestry through Heli (possibly Mary's father or Joseph's father-in-law), Matthew emphasizes Jacob as Joseph's father to establish Jesus' legal claim to the Davidic throne through His adoptive father.

• "Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob": This phrase details two consecutive generations within the Davidic lineage, forming part of the structured descent presented by Matthew. It showcases the divine commitment to uphold the covenant with David (2 Sam 7) by preserving a continuous male line. Even when individuals within this line are obscure, their very inclusion emphasizes that every link, however humble or unrecorded elsewhere, was providentially guided to fulfill the promised arrival of the Messiah. The straightforward, formulaic repetition of "begot" asserts a clear, undeniable historical continuity of the royal line, laying a firm foundation for Jesus' messianic identity.

Matthew 1 14 Bonus section

The figures in Matthew 1:14 belong to the third section of Matthew's genealogy (Matt 1:12-16), covering the period from the Babylonian exile to Christ. The fact that their names are not widely recognized or featured in the historical books underscores that God's work of preserving the lineage did not rely on prominent figures or powerful dynasties. Instead, it was sustained through ordinary people, demonstrating that divine faithfulness operates independently of human renown. This continuity through less-known individuals accentuates the providential care over every detail of Jesus' background, ensuring that all legal and historical requirements for the Messiah were met.

Matthew 1 14 Commentary

Matthew 1:14 serves as a seemingly mundane but profoundly significant link in the messianic chain, recording three generations that bridge the period leading to Jesus' immediate ancestry. Eleazar, Matthan, and Jacob are not figures celebrated for great deeds or extensive narratives elsewhere in Scripture. Their singular purpose in this verse, and indeed in Matthew's Gospel, is to complete a vital segment of the Davidic genealogy. This highlights divine faithfulness: despite historical complexities or individual obscurity, God unfailingly preserved the promised line through which His Son would come. This simple enumeration quietly underscores God's meticulous and sovereign hand in history, bringing about His plan precisely as foretold, preparing the legal claim for Jesus' royal status.