Matthew 1:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Abraham {G11} begat {G1080} Isaac {G2464}; and {G1161} Isaac {G2464} begat {G1080} Jacob {G2384}; and {G1161} Jacob {G2384} begat {G1080} Judas {G2455} and {G2532} his {G846} brethren {G80};

Complete Jewish Bible

Avraham was the father of Yitz'chak, Yitz'chak was the father of Ya`akov, Ya`akov was the father of Y'hudah and his brothers,

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 1:2 meticulously traces the foundational lineage of Jesus Christ, beginning with Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish nation, and continuing through Isaac, the son of promise, and Jacob, whose twelve sons formed the tribes of Israel. This verse then highlights Jacob's son, Judah, and his brethren, establishing a crucial link to the royal tribe from which the Messiah was prophesied to emerge, thereby validating Jesus' historical and theological claims as the long-awaited King and Savior.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 1:2 is an integral part of the opening genealogy of Jesus Christ, which spans [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"). This genealogy serves as the foundational statement of Matthew's Gospel, immediately establishing Jesus' credentials as the promised Messiah. Following the introductory verse, [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "The Book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), which declares Jesus as "the son of David, the son of Abraham," verse 2 begins the detailed enumeration of the patriarchal line. The repetitive "begat" structure creates a deliberate, rhythmic progression, emphasizing the historical continuity and divine orchestration of generations leading directly to Jesus. This meticulous record underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and sets the stage for the narrative of Jesus' birth and ministry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, genealogies were not mere lists of names but vital documents that established identity, inheritance rights, tribal affiliation, and claims to positions of authority, such as kingship or priesthood. For a Jewish audience, a credible genealogy was paramount for validating any claim to be the Messiah. Matthew's emphasis on Jesus' descent from Abraham and David directly addresses the expectations of first-century Jews regarding the Messiah's lineage. Abraham was the father of the nation and the recipient of God's covenant promises (e.g., [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call and Promise to Abraham")), while David was the king from whose line the eternal king was prophesied to come (e.g., [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "God's Covenant with David")). The inclusion of Isaac, Jacob, and especially Judah (from whom the royal line of David descended, as prophesied in [Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Jacob's Prophecy for Judah")) firmly roots Jesus within the divinely chosen lineage of Israel.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 1:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, patiently working through centuries and generations to bring about His ultimate plan of salvation, particularly the promise made to [Abraham](/genesis/12-3 "God's Blessing through Abraham"). Secondly, it establishes **Historical Continuity**, bridging the Old Testament narrative with the New, presenting Jesus not as an isolated figure but as the culmination of centuries of divine preparation and foretelling. His coming was meticulously planned and foretold, building upon the foundation laid by the patriarchs. Thirdly, it underscores **Messianic Lineage**, directly linking Jesus to the foundational figures of Israel's history—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and specifically to Judah, the tribe from which the scepter would not depart until Shiloh came, as prophesied in [Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Judah's Royal Destiny"). This lineage validates Jesus' claim to be the promised Messiah and King of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **begat (Greek, _gennáō'_):** This verb, repeated throughout the genealogy, signifies direct paternal procreation. While it can also refer to being born or bringing forth, in this context, it emphasizes the male line of descent, establishing a clear, unbroken chain of father-to-son relationships. Its consistent use underscores the historical reality and the careful record-keeping of Jesus' ancestry, linking Him directly to the foundational figures of Israel's history.
* **Abraham (Greek, _Abraám'_):** Meaning "father of a multitude," Abraham is the pivotal starting point of Matthew's genealogy, signifying the beginning of God's covenant relationship with Israel. His inclusion immediately connects Jesus to the promises of blessing for all nations through Abraham's seed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")).
* **Judas (Greek, _Ioúdas'_):** This is the Greek form of "Judah," meaning "praise." Judah was the fourth son of Jacob, and his tribe was prophesied to hold the scepter, indicating a royal lineage ([Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Jacob's Blessing on Judah")). His mention here is crucial for establishing Jesus' connection to the royal line of David, who was also from the tribe of Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Abraham begat Isaac;":** This clause establishes Abraham, the patriarch and recipient of God's covenant promises, as the starting point of Jesus' human lineage. It immediately grounds Jesus in the foundational history of Israel, connecting Him to the covenant through which all nations would be blessed. Isaac, the son of promise, represents God's miraculous intervention and faithfulness in continuing the lineage despite human impossibility.
* **"and Isaac begat Jacob;":** This continues the direct paternal line, moving from Isaac, the son of promise, to Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, signifying the birth of the nation. Jacob's twelve sons would become the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel, further cementing Jesus' connection to the entirety of the chosen people.
* **"and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;":** This final clause in the verse is highly significant. "Judas" (Judah) is singled out among Jacob's sons because the royal line, from which King David and ultimately the Messiah would come, was prophesied to descend from Judah ([Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Jacob's Prophecy for Judah")). The mention of "his brethren" acknowledges the other sons of Jacob, but the focus is clearly on Judah, highlighting the specific branch of the family tree that leads to Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 1:2 employs several literary devices to achieve its purpose. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the anaphoric use of the verb "begat" (Greek: _egennessen_). This consistent repetition creates a rhythmic, almost chant-like quality, emphasizing the unbroken, historical succession of generations and the deliberate, continuous progression of God's plan. This also highlights the **Genealogy** itself as a literary form, which serves not merely as a list but as a theological statement asserting Jesus' legitimate claim to the Davidic throne and Abrahamic promises. Furthermore, the use of **Anaphora** with the repeated "and" at the beginning of clauses ("and Isaac begat...", "and Jacob begat...") enhances the sense of continuous flow and connection, linking each generation seamlessly to the next and reinforcing the idea of a divinely ordered sequence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 1:2, as the opening segment of Jesus' genealogy, profoundly underscores the theological truth of God's unwavering faithfulness across generations. It demonstrates that the coming of Christ was not an arbitrary event but the culmination of centuries of divine preparation, promises, and patient orchestration. The meticulous recording of this lineage, beginning with Abraham, the father of faith, and moving through the key patriarchal figures, assures the reader that God's covenant promises are reliable and His redemptive plan is unfolding precisely as foretold. This historical grounding provides a firm foundation for the Christian faith, affirming that Jesus is indeed the promised Seed, the heir to both the Abrahamic covenant and the Davidic throne, through whom all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen."

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Covenant with Abraham")
* [Romans 9:6-8](/romans/9-6-8 "Not All Israel Is Israel")
* [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Promise to Abraham's Seed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a list of names might initially seem dry, Matthew 1:2 offers profound comfort and insight for believers today, reminding us of God's long-term vision and unwavering commitment. It teaches us that God works through vast stretches of time, patiently orchestrating events and guiding individuals—flawed though they may be—to accomplish His ultimate purposes. His plans are not rushed, nor are they thwarted by human weakness; they will always come to fruition, even across countless generations. This verse also invites us to consider our own place within God's ongoing story. Just as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah played their part in the grand narrative of salvation, so too do believers today. We are part of a continuing spiritual lineage, called to live out God's purposes in our own generation, trusting in His overarching plan and finding assurance in the historical reliability of our faith. The careful preservation of this lineage, starting with the father of faith, Abraham, solidifies the historical basis for the Christian faith and the reliability of God's promises, assuring us that Jesus truly is the promised King and Savior, fulfilling all that came before Him and offering hope for all who believe.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the historical continuity of Jesus' lineage strengthen your faith in God's long-term faithfulness?**
* **In what ways does the inclusion of specific individuals like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah in this genealogy highlight God's sovereign choice and purpose?**
* **Considering that God worked through generations to bring about His plan, how does this encourage you to trust His timing and process in your own life?**

### FAQ
**Why is a genealogy important at the very beginning of Matthew's Gospel?**

Answer: Matthew's Gospel was primarily written for a Jewish audience, and for them, a genealogy was crucial for establishing legal and historical claims, especially for the Messiah. By starting with a detailed lineage, Matthew immediately validates Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah, demonstrating His rightful claim to the throne of David and His fulfillment of the covenant promises made to [Abraham](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Covenant with Abraham"). It shows that Jesus is not a random figure but the divinely appointed culmination of Israel's history.

**Who are "his brethren" mentioned alongside Judas (Judah)?**

Answer: "His brethren" refers to the other eleven sons of Jacob (Israel): Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. While all of Jacob's sons were progenitors of the tribes of Israel, Matthew specifically highlights Judah because it was from his tribe that the royal line of David descended, and from which the Messiah was prophesied to come ([Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Jacob's Prophecy for Judah")). The mention of "brethren" acknowledges the full family, but the emphasis remains on the Messianic line through Judah.

**Does this genealogy prove Jesus' divinity?**

Answer: While the genealogy primarily establishes Jesus' human lineage and His qualifications as the Messiah from the line of Abraham and David, it indirectly points to His divine nature by demonstrating God's sovereign hand in orchestrating His arrival. The miraculous elements surrounding the births of some individuals in the genealogy (e.g., Isaac from barren Sarah) and the overall divine faithfulness it portrays hint at a greater purpose and power at work. The full proof of Jesus' divinity is found throughout the rest of Matthew's Gospel, particularly in His miraculous birth ([Matthew 1:18-25](/matthew/1-18-25 "The Birth of Jesus Christ")), teachings, miracles, resurrection, and claims to be God's Son ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "The Great Commission")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 1:2, by tracing Jesus' lineage back to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and most significantly, Judah, establishes His profound Christ-centered fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and covenant. Abraham was promised that "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")), a promise fulfilled in Jesus, the ultimate "seed" of Abraham through whom salvation is offered to all humanity ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Promise to Abraham's Seed")). The inclusion of Judah is particularly potent, as Jacob prophesied that the scepter would not depart from Judah until "Shiloh comes" ([Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Jacob's Prophecy for Judah")), a clear Messianic reference. Jesus, therefore, is presented as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah ([Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah")), the rightful King who inherits the promises made to David, who also descended from Judah ([Hebrews 7:14](/hebrews/7-14 "Jesus from the Tribe of Judah")). This verse, at the very outset of Matthew, declares that Jesus is the culmination of God's redemptive history, the one in whom all the hopes and promises of Israel find their ultimate and glorious realization, making Him the universal Savior for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 7:8

And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so [Abraham] begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac [begat] Jacob; and Jacob [begat] the twelve patriarchs.

Hebrews 11:17

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son],

Hebrews 11:18

Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

Genesis 21:2

For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Genesis 21:5

And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

Genesis 25:26

And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac [was] threescore years old when she bare them.

Genesis 46:8

And these [are] the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.