Matthew 1:3

KJV

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Judas {G2455} begat {G1080} Phares {G5329} and {G2532} Zara {G2196} of {G1537} Thamar {G2283}; and {G1161} Phares {G5329} begat {G1080} Esrom {G2074}; and {G1161} Esrom {G2074} begat {G1080} Aram {G689};

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hudah was the father of Peretz and Zerach (their mother was Tamar), Peretz was the father of Hetzron, Hetzron was the father of Ram,

Berean Standard Bible

Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.

American Standard Version

and Judah begat Perez and Zerah of Tamar; and Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron begat Ram;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 1:3 continues the foundational genealogy of Jesus Christ, meticulously tracing the lineage from Judah, son of Jacob, through his twin sons Phares (Perez) and Zara (Zerah), born to Thamar (Tamar), and then through Phares's son Esrom (Hezron), and Esrom's son Aram (Ram). This verse, embedded within the opening verses of Matthew's Gospel, underscores the meticulous divine orchestration of human history, highlighting the unexpected and inclusive nature of God's redemptive plan that culminates in the birth of the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 1:3 is an integral part of the opening genealogy of Jesus Christ, which begins in [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and extends through [Matthew 1:17](/matthew/1-17 "Matthew 1:17 - The Three Generations"). This verse specifically details the third generation after Abraham, following the initial mention of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and then Judah. The repetitive, almost liturgical, structure of "begat" (Greek: *egennesen*) emphasizes the unbroken, divinely ordained succession of generations leading directly to Jesus. The inclusion of Tamar in this verse, alongside other women like Rahab, Ruth, and the wife of Uriah (Bathsheba) later in the genealogy, is a notable literary feature, breaking from typical patriarchal genealogical conventions and signaling a deeper theological message about God's inclusive grace.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Genealogies held immense significance in ancient Jewish culture, serving as vital records for establishing identity, tribal affiliation, inheritance rights, and claims to leadership, particularly the Davidic throne. For Matthew's Jewish audience, presenting Jesus' lineage was paramount to demonstrating His legitimacy as the promised Messiah, the Son of David and the Son of Abraham, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. The mention of Judah, Phares, Zara, Esrom, and Aram connects directly to the historical records found in the Old Testament, such as [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "Genesis 38 - Judah and Tamar") for Tamar, Perez, and Zerah, and [Ruth 4:18-22](/ruth/4-18-22 "Ruth 4:18-22 - The Lineage of Perez") for Perez, Hezron, and Ram, solidifying the historical accuracy and continuity of the Messianic line within Israel's history.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's meticulous and unwavering plan unfolding through generations, even amidst human imperfections and unexpected circumstances. The precise tracing of the lineage underscores that the Messiah's arrival was not accidental but divinely orchestrated. Secondly, the inclusion of Thamar (Tamar), whose story involves unconventional actions, points to **God's Inclusive Grace** and the **Redemptive Power of God**, foreshadowing the radical inclusivity of the Gospel message that extends salvation to all, regardless of their past or origin, Jew and Gentile alike. This theme is further developed throughout Matthew, culminating in the Great Commission in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission"). Finally, the verse reinforces the **Messianic Lineage** of Jesus, establishing His legitimate claim as the Christ, the promised King from the line of David, a central tenet of Matthew's argument for Jesus' identity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **begat (Greek, _gennáō'_):** This verb, G1080, means "to procreate," primarily referring to the father, but by extension, also the mother. Figuratively, it can mean "to regenerate." In this genealogical context, it emphasizes the direct, unbroken line of physical descent, signifying the act of fathering or giving birth. Its repetitive use throughout the genealogy underscores the continuity and divine preservation of the Messianic line.
* **and (Greek, _dé'_):** This particle, G1161, is primarily adversative or continuative. While often unexpressed in English, it serves here as a simple conjunction, linking successive generations in a straightforward, chronological manner. Its presence maintains the flow and rhythm of the genealogical record, indicating a direct progression from one individual to the next.
* **of (Greek, _ek'_):** This preposition, G1537, denotes origin, meaning "from" or "out of." In the phrase "of Thamar," it specifies the maternal origin of Phares and Zara, indicating that they were born *from* or *out of* Tamar. This seemingly simple preposition is significant in highlighting the specific women included in Matthew's genealogy, drawing attention to their roles in the Messianic lineage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar;":** This clause establishes the immediate descendants of Judah, one of Jacob's twelve sons. It highlights the birth of twin sons, Phares (Perez) and Zara (Zerah), and notably names their mother, Thamar (Tamar). The inclusion of Tamar is highly significant, as her story in [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "Genesis 38 - Judah and Tamar") involves deception and unconventional means to secure her lineage within Judah's family, yet God sovereignly uses her to continue the Messianic line.
* **"and Phares begat Esrom;":** This clause continues the direct lineage through Phares, indicating that he fathered Esrom (Hezron). This demonstrates the specific branch of Judah's family through which the Messianic line is traced, bypassing Zara. This choice aligns with the Old Testament records that trace the line of David through Perez.
* **"and Esrom begat Aram;":** The final clause in this verse further extends the lineage, stating that Esrom fathered Aram (Ram). This continues the progression of generations, meticulously recording the ancestors of Jesus Christ, reinforcing the historical and genealogical accuracy that Matthew aims to establish for his Jewish audience.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 1:3, like the entire genealogy, employs several key literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the anaphoric repetition of the phrase "begat" (Greek: *egennesen*). This repetitive structure creates a rhythmic, almost chant-like quality, emphasizing the unbroken chain of generations and the continuity of God's covenant promises. It also serves to underscore the divine sovereignty at work, as each successive generation is presented as part of a preordained plan. Furthermore, the inclusion of Thamar (Tamar) introduces an element of **Symbolism** or **Typology**. Her story, marked by unconventional and even scandalous circumstances, foreshadows the broader theme of God's inclusive grace and His ability to work through imperfect people and unexpected situations to accomplish His perfect will. The genealogy itself functions as a **List** or **Catalogue**, a common ancient literary form used to establish authority, legitimacy, and historical continuity, which Matthew masterfully employs to present Jesus' credentials as the Messiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 1:3 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign hand in human history, demonstrating that His redemptive plan unfolds meticulously through generations, even those marked by human frailty and unconventional circumstances. The inclusion of Tamar, a figure whose story in [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "Genesis 38 - Judah and Tamar") involves deception and a struggle for lineage, serves as a powerful theological statement. It signals that God's grace is not limited by human perfection or societal norms, but extends to the unexpected, the marginalized, and the flawed. This foreshadows the radical inclusivity of the Gospel, where salvation is offered to all, regardless of their past or background, underscoring that God's plan for redemption transcends human expectations and moralistic boundaries.

* [Genesis 38:29](/genesis/38-29 "Genesis 38:29 - The Birth of Perez")
* [Ruth 4:18-22](/ruth/4-18-22 "Ruth 4:18-22 - The Lineage of Perez to David")
* [Luke 3:33](/luke/3-33 "Luke 3:33 - The Genealogy of Jesus through Judah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 1:3, though seemingly a dry list of names, offers profound insights for our spiritual journey. It reminds us that God's grand narrative of redemption is meticulously woven through the fabric of human history, often utilizing individuals and situations that appear ordinary, flawed, or even scandalous from a human perspective. The inclusion of Tamar in Jesus' lineage is a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises, demonstrating that His purposes are not thwarted by human sin or societal conventions. This should inspire immense comfort and hope: our own imperfections, our past mistakes, or the unconventional paths of our lives do not disqualify us from being part of God's ongoing, redemptive work. Instead, they highlight the depth of His grace and His ability to redeem and transform any circumstance for His glory. We are called to trust in His sovereign plan, knowing that He is faithfully working all things together for good, ultimately culminating in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the inclusion of Tamar in Jesus' genealogy challenge your perceptions of who God uses in His divine plan?**
* **What comfort or encouragement can you draw from the fact that God works through imperfect people and unexpected circumstances?**
* **How does this verse reinforce your trust in God's long-term, sovereign plan for your life and for the world?**

### FAQ

**Why is Tamar, a woman with a controversial story, included in the Messiah's genealogy?**

Answer: Tamar's inclusion is highly significant and intentional. Her story in [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "Genesis 38 - Judah and Tamar") reveals her desperate, albeit deceptive, actions to secure her rightful place and lineage within Judah's family after being denied her due by Judah himself. Matthew's decision to include her, along with other women like Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, who also had unusual or Gentile backgrounds, serves several theological purposes. It underscores God's sovereign ability to work through imperfect human choices and unconventional circumstances to fulfill His promises. It also highlights the theme of God's inclusive grace, foreshadowing that the Messiah's salvation would extend beyond the strict boundaries of Israel, welcoming Gentiles and those with complex pasts into His redemptive plan. Her presence signals that God's grace triumphs over human weakness and societal judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 1:3, as a vital link in the Messianic genealogy, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The meticulous tracing of lineage through Judah, Phares, Esrom, and Aram underscores the historical reality and divine intentionality behind the incarnation of the Son of God. The very act of God entering human history through a specific, traceable lineage, including figures like Tamar, demonstrates His profound commitment to His covenant promises made to Abraham and David, as seen in [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant") and [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant"). Jesus, as the culmination of this lineage, embodies the perfect fulfillment of all these promises. His birth, as detailed in [Matthew 1:18-25](/matthew/1-18-25 "Matthew 1:18-25 - The Birth of Jesus"), is the divine intervention that transforms a mere human genealogy into the story of God's redemptive work. The inclusion of Tamar, a woman whose story highlights God's grace working through unconventional means, powerfully foreshadows Jesus' mission to extend salvation to all, regardless of their background or past, breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, as proclaimed in [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace"). Thus, this seemingly simple genealogical verse points directly to Jesus as the promised Messiah, the sovereign Lord who redeems and includes all who come to Him by grace through faith, echoing the universal call of the Gospel found in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World").

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

Genesis 38:29

And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? [this] breach [be] upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.

Genesis 38:30

And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.

Genesis 46:12

And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.

1 Chronicles 4:1

¶ The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.

Ruth 4:18

Now these [are] the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,

Ruth 4:22

And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

Genesis 38:24

¶ And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she [is] with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.