Matthew 1:6 kjv

And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

Matthew 1:6 nkjv

and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.

Matthew 1:6 niv

and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,

Matthew 1:6 esv

and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,

Matthew 1:6 nlt

Jesse was the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).

Matthew 1 verses

Matthew 1 6 Meaning

Matthew 1:6 continues the genealogical record of Jesus Christ, linking Him directly to the line of King David. This verse states that Jesse was the father of King David, and King David, in turn, fathered Solomon through "the wife of Uriah." This phrasing is significant, acknowledging David's kingship while subtly referencing his sin with Bathsheba, highlighting that God's redemptive plan often includes and overcomes human failings, even scandal.

Matthew 1 6 Context

Matthew chapter 1 initiates the Gospel with a meticulous genealogy, affirming Jesus' legitimate claim to be the Messiah through His lineage from Abraham and David. The verse Matthew 1:6 is pivotal as it names David, a central figure in Israelite history, from whom the Messiah was prophesied to descend. The genealogy is structured into three sections of fourteen generations each, and David marks the end of the first fourteen generations and the beginning of the next, signifying a critical turning point and highlighting the era of kingship. This verse particularly brings forward the establishment of the Davidic monarchy, a direct fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham, pointing towards the coming Messiah, the ultimate King. The mention of "the wife of Uriah" without naming Bathsheba implicitly references the sin associated with David, yet highlights God's continued faithfulness and ability to work through imperfect human circumstances to bring about His perfect plan.

Matthew 1 6 Word analysis

• Jesse (Ἰεσσαί, Iessai / יִשַׁי, Yishai): Jesse, a shepherd from Bethlehem, was the father of David. His inclusion emphasizes the humble origins from which God raised up a king (1 Sam 16:1-13). This shows God's sovereignty, selecting a king not from human expectations but His divine choosing.
• fathered (ἐγέννησεν, egennesen): This Greek word, meaning "begot" or "became the father of," is consistently used throughout Matthew's genealogy. Its repetitive use emphasizes the direct, legal, and verifiable lineage, asserting a clear succession from generation to generation leading to Jesus.
• David (Δαυίδ, Dauid / דָּוִד, Dawid): A key figure, David's name means "beloved." He is significant as Israel's greatest king and the recipient of an unconditional covenant promising an everlasting dynasty (2 Sam 7). His presence in the genealogy is crucial for establishing Jesus' messianic credentials.
• the king (τὸν βασιλέα, ton basilea): Matthew's explicit designation of David as "the king" is unique in the genealogy, unlike other figures. This emphasizes David's regal status and historical importance. It directly links Jesus to the royal lineage and fulfills the prophecies of a King from David's line. This term sets David apart and marks a new era in the covenant history, that of kingship.
• Solomon (Σολομῶνα, Solomōna / שְׁלֹמֹה, Shlomo): Son and successor to David, Solomon means "peace" or "peaceful." He built the First Temple in Jerusalem and represented the pinnacle of Israel's wealth and wisdom. His inclusion highlights the continued Davidic line of succession and the prosperity of the kingdom under him.
• by the wife of Uriah (τῆς τοῦ Οὐρίου, tēs tou Ouriou): This is a highly distinctive and unusual phrase. Bathsheba, the common name, is notably omitted. Instead, she is identified by her relationship to her wronged husband, Uriah the Hittite.
  • Significance: This detail obliquely yet clearly points to David's adultery and murder (2 Sam 11). Matthew's inclusion of this dark stain on David's otherwise revered reputation is purposeful. It aligns with his prior inclusions of women with scandalous or unconventional pasts (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth), reinforcing themes of God's grace working through imperfect human vessels and circumstances, foreshadowing Jesus' own unusual birth, and possibly hinting at divine sovereignty over human sin. It also challenges the Jewish genealogical norm of not listing women, especially those associated with scandal.

Matthew 1 6 Bonus section

The inclusion of "the wife of Uriah" alongside other specific women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth) in Matthew's genealogy, contrary to the typical patriarchal genealogies that rarely mention women unless for special reasons, serves several theological purposes. It hints at the sovereign grace of God, who works out His plans even through scandalous human events. It might also foreshadow the miraculous and "unconventional" birth of Jesus through Mary, a virgin. Furthermore, the deliberate omission of Bathsheba's name might serve to underscore the gravity of David's sin, connecting his actions directly to Uriah's suffering rather than merely the woman involved. David's designation as "the king" not only marks a crucial point in the Abrahamic covenant's unfolding (the establishment of the kingship) but also serves to authenticate Jesus's claim as the rightful heir to the Davidic throne, a key pillar of Messianic identity for Matthew's Jewish audience.

Matthew 1 6 Commentary

Matthew 1:6 succinctly progresses the divine story, transitioning from Jesse to David, acknowledging the pivotal establishment of the kingship. The phrase "David the king" singularizes him amongst the patriarchal figures, cementing his crucial role as the covenantal royal ancestor from whom the Messiah must descend. Yet, in a startling move, Matthew describes Solomon's mother not by her name, Bathsheba, but as "the wife of Uriah." This pointed reference confronts David's greatest moral failure – his adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her loyal husband, Uriah. Far from idealizing the lineage, this choice exposes the Messianic line's imperfections, reminding the reader that even great figures like David had profound flaws. This raw honesty underscores that God's plan unfolds not through sinless human actors, but through His sovereign grace, often incorporating and transforming human weakness and scandal for His purposes. It echoes the inclusion of other women in the genealogy (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth) who similarly possessed unusual or morally complex circumstances, highlighting a theme of divine inclusivity and redemption, subtly setting the stage for the Messiah's own unusual and grace-filled birth. This demonstrates God’s ability to work His purposes despite and even through human sin.