Matthew 1:2 kjv

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

Matthew 1:2 nkjv

Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.

Matthew 1:2 niv

Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

Matthew 1:2 esv

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

Matthew 1:2 nlt

Abraham was the father of Isaac.
Isaac was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.

Matthew 1 verses

Matthew 1 2 Meaning

Matthew 1:2 establishes the initial steps of Jesus' genealogy, tracing His legal descent through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah. This verse, a foundational element of Matthew's Gospel, underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament promises by explicitly linking Jesus to the patriarchs who received God's covenants and bore the heritage of the chosen people. It highlights the divine orchestration of history, revealing a continuous lineage chosen by God to culminate in the Messiah. The repeated phrase "begot" emphasizes a direct, continuous, and legitimate ancestral line leading to Jesus, the long-awaited Christ.

Matthew 1 2 Context

Matthew's Gospel, written primarily for a Jewish audience, begins with a meticulously structured genealogy of Jesus Christ. Verse 1:2 is the immediate continuation of the opening statement in 1:1, "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham." This introduction immediately sets the stage, presenting Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who fulfills the prophecies and promises made to these foundational figures. The lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob serves to establish Jesus' undeniable claim to be an Israelite, heir to the covenants, and a rightful king. The specific inclusion of Judah highlights the fulfillment of the ancient promise in Genesis 49:10 that the Messiah would come from Judah's tribe. This genealogical emphasis would have resonated deeply with the Jewish readers, who placed significant importance on lineage and heritage, providing validation for Jesus' identity as the Son of Abraham and Son of David, both pivotal titles in Jewish expectation of the Messiah.

Matthew 1 2 Word analysis

• Abraham (Ἀβραάμ - Abraam): The patriarch and father of the Israelite nation. His name signifies "father of a multitude." He is central to God's covenant promises, receiving the divine pledge that through his "seed," all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen 12:3). Matthew's genealogy begins with him, establishing Jesus' link to the ultimate source of God's covenant with humanity.
• begot (ἐγέννησεν - egennēsen): Aorist active indicative form of the verb γιγνώσκω (gignōskō) meaning "to be born," "to beget," or "to produce." This repeated verb emphasizes direct paternal lineage and legal succession, creating an unbroken chain. It signifies both physical procreation and the legal right to inheritance, particularly important in establishing Messianic credentials. Its repetitive use grounds the narrative in historical reality and demonstrates God's consistent working through generations.
• Isaac (Ἰσαάκ - Isaak): The son of Abraham and Sarah, whose name means "he laughs" (alluding to the joy and skepticism surrounding his miraculous birth in old age). He is known as the "son of promise" (Rom 9:7), as his birth was a fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, signifying that God keeps His promises even when human circumstances seem impossible. He carried the Abrahamic blessing.
• Jacob (Ἰακώβ - Iakōb): Son of Isaac, whose name means "heel-grabber" or "supplanter," reflecting his early character. He later wrestled with God and was renamed Israel, meaning "God prevails" or "he struggles with God." His life demonstrates God's sovereign election and grace, choosing the younger son and transforming his character. The twelve tribes of Israel descended from his sons.
• Judah (Ἰούδας - Ioudas): Fourth son of Jacob, whose name means "praise." He is pivotal in this genealogy because the prophetic promises for the Messiah identify his lineage (Gen 49:10). The scepter, signifying royal authority, was promised not to depart from Judah. This immediately sets up the expectation of Jesus' kingship.
• his brethren (τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ - tous adelphous autou): Refers to Jacob's other eleven sons, from whom the twelve tribes of Israel descended. This phrase underscores that Jesus is connected not just to a specific patriarch but to the very foundation of the nation of Israel. The inclusion validates His Israelite heritage and implies His universal relevance to all Israelites, embodying the hopes of the entire nation. It marks the shift from individual patriarchs to the emerging nation.

Words-group analysis

• Abraham begot Isaac; and Isaac begot Jacob; and Jacob begot Judah and his brethren;: This entire sequence forms the inaugural link in Matthew's genealogical chain. It moves from the foundational patriarch Abraham, through the "son of promise" Isaac, to Jacob (Israel), the father of the nation. The inclusion of "Judah and his brethren" immediately points to the establishment of the twelve tribes and specifically identifies the royal line through Judah, signaling a crucial Messianic development from the very beginning of the genealogy. This carefully ordered succession establishes the historical, legal, and theological validity of Jesus' claim to be the Messiah of Israel and the heir to God's covenant promises.

Matthew 1 2 Bonus section

The genealogy, though appearing straightforward, selectively lists figures crucial to the Messianic line, typical of ancient Jewish genealogical practices that focused on legitimizing claims, particularly kingship or priestly roles, rather than presenting exhaustive biological records. The term "begot" does not always imply a direct father-son relationship in all ancient genealogies, sometimes referring to an ancestor-descendant link over several generations, though in Matthew 1:2, these initial connections are indeed direct father-to-son. This verse forms the first segment of Matthew's distinct three groups of fourteen generations (Matt 1:17), which some scholars note could be an intentional structuring device (e.g., using gematria related to David's name or a chiastic structure). This structured presentation lends theological weight, implying a divine pattern and purposeful design leading to Jesus' birth at the fullness of time.

Matthew 1 2 Commentary

Matthew 1:2 initiates the formal lineage of Jesus, moving beyond the introductory statement to lay out the direct patriarchal connection. By starting with Abraham, the 'father of faith' and recipient of the covenant promises that blessed all nations, Matthew immediately establishes Jesus' identity within God's long-standing redemptive plan. The progression through Isaac, the miraculous son of promise, and Jacob, whose transformed name (Israel) birthed a nation, solidifies Jesus' deep roots within Israel's identity and divine election. The specific mention of Judah, rather than simply moving to the next generation in the direct lineage, is a deliberate emphasis on the tribe prophesied to bear the Messiah and kingship. This highlights God's sovereign orchestration, weaving a precise historical tapestry that culminated in Christ. The repetitive "begot" (Greek: egennēsen) stresses the tangible, unbroken chain of physical descent while simultaneously pointing to a divinely superintended lineage, ensuring Jesus' legitimate claim as the promised heir to the covenants with Abraham and David, validating Him as the awaited King and Savior for both Israel and the nations.