Matthew 1:17

So all the generations from Abraham to David [are] fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon [are] fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ [are] fourteen generations.

So {G3767} all {G3956} the generations {G1074} from {G575} Abraham {G11} to {G2193} David {G1138} are fourteen {G1180} generations {G1074}; and {G2532} from {G575} David {G1138} until {G2193} the carrying away {G3350} into Babylon {G897} are fourteen {G1180} generations {G1074}; and {G2532} from {G575} the carrying away {G3350} into Babylon {G897} unto {G2193} Christ {G5547} are fourteen {G1180} generations {G1074}.

Thus there were fourteen generations from Avraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the Babylonian Exile, and fourteen generations from the Babylonian Exile to the Messiah.

In all, then, there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the Christ fourteen generations.

Context of Matthew 1:17

Matthew 1:17 serves as a crucial summary statement for the extensive genealogy of Jesus Christ detailed in the preceding verses (Matthew 1:1-16). The evangelist Matthew, writing primarily for a Jewish audience, meticulously traces Jesus's lineage through three distinct historical periods, each comprising fourteen generations. This structure emphasizes Jesus's rightful claim as the promised Messiah, descended from Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, and David, the king from whose line the Messiah was prophesied to come. The verse highlights key turning points in Israel's history: the establishment of the monarchy under David, and the traumatic Babylonian captivity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Plan: The precise enumeration of generations underscores God's meticulous oversight of history. It shows that Jesus's birth was not random but the culmination of a divine plan unfolding over centuries, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promises despite human failings and historical upheavals.
  • Messianic Legitimacy: By linking Jesus directly to Abraham and David, Matthew affirms His credentials as the long-awaited King of Israel. The Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) promised an eternal kingdom through David's seed, and Matthew presents Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy.
  • Structured History: Matthew's deliberate division into three sets of fourteen generations reveals a theological purpose. This symmetrical structure helps readers remember the lineage and highlights the significant epochs of Israel's history, culminating in the birth of Christ.

Linguistic and Numerical Insights

The number "fourteen" is significant in Matthew's genealogy. While the exact count of generations in some periods might appear to differ slightly from other Old Testament lists, Matthew's adherence to "fourteen" is intentional. One widely accepted explanation is its connection to the Hebrew numerical value (gematria) of David's name. In Hebrew, the letters of David's name (D-V-D or Dalet-Vav-Dalet) have numerical values: Dalet (ד) = 4, Vav (ו) = 6, Dalet (ד) = 4. Summing these values (4 + 6 + 4) equals 14. This structure subtly reinforces Jesus's identity as the Son of David, the true heir to the Davidic throne and the fulfillment of God's covenant.

Practical Application

Matthew 1:17 reminds us that God is at work throughout history, orchestrating events and preparing the way for His ultimate purposes. Even through periods of prosperity (like David's reign) and immense hardship (like the Babylonian exile), God's plan for redemption through Jesus Christ remained steadfast. For believers today, this verse offers assurance that God is sovereign over all circumstances, faithfully working out His will in our lives and in the world. It encourages us to trust in His providence and to recognize that every event, great or small, can be part of His larger, unfolding story, ultimately leading to His glory.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Kings 24:14

    And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, [even] ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

  • Matthew 1:11

    And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

  • Matthew 1:12

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

  • Jeremiah 27:20

    Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;

  • John 1:41

    He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

  • Matthew 11:2

    Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

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