Matthew 1:4

And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

And {G1161} Aram {G689} begat {G1080} Aminadab {G284}; and {G1161} Aminadab {G284} begat {G1080} Naasson {G3476}; and {G1161} Naasson {G3476} begat {G1080} Salmon {G4533};

Ram was the father of `Amminadav, `Amminadav was the father of Nachshon, Nachshon was the father of Salmon,

Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon.

and Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat Salmon;

Matthew 1:4 continues the crucial genealogy of Jesus Christ, establishing His legal right to the Davidic throne and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. This verse specifically lists three generations: Aram begat Aminadab, Aminadab begat Naasson, and Naasson begat Salmon.

Context

This verse is an integral part of the opening passage of Matthew's Gospel, which meticulously traces Jesus' lineage from Abraham through David to Joseph, Jesus' legal father. The purpose of this detailed list is not merely historical record-keeping, but theological declaration: it proves Jesus' credentials as the promised Messiah, demonstrating His connection to the covenant promises made to Abraham and David. Each name, though seemingly just a link in a chain, represents a life through which God's sovereign plan unfolded across centuries.

Key Figures and Significance

  • Aram: A descendant of Judah, serving as a vital link in the lineage.
  • Aminadab: Little is known about him directly from scripture beyond his place in this genealogy.
  • Naasson (or Nahshon): This figure holds particular significance. He was a prince of the tribe of Judah and a leader during the Exodus, mentioned in Numbers 1:7. His inclusion highlights the connection of Jesus' lineage to the foundational events of Israel's history.
  • Salmon: He is identified in other biblical texts as the father of Boaz, a key figure in the Book of Ruth. Salmon's marriage to Rahab (mentioned in Matthew 1:5, though not directly in this verse) is also notable, showing God's inclusion of Gentiles in the Messiah's ancestry.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness: The meticulous preservation of this lineage over many generations underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, bringing His plan to fruition despite human shortcomings and historical complexities.
  • God's Sovereign Plan: Each individual listed, including Aram, Aminadab, Naasson, and Salmon, played a part in God's grand design, illustrating that even seemingly ordinary lives are woven into His extraordinary purposes.
  • Historical Veracity: Matthew's inclusion of these specific names emphasizes the historical reality and tangible roots of Jesus' identity as the Christ.

Linguistic Insight

The repeated phrase "begat" (Greek: egennēsen) serves to emphasize the direct, successive, and unbroken chain of descent. This simple repetition reinforces the legal and biological continuity of the lineage, crucial for establishing Jesus' rightful claim as the Son of David and the Messiah.

Practical Application

While a genealogical list might seem dry, Matthew 1:4 reminds us that God works through generations, through ordinary families, and through historical events to achieve His ultimate purposes. It encourages us to see our own lives, and the lives of our ancestors, as part of a larger divine narrative. God's long-term faithfulness in fulfilling His promises should inspire confidence and patience in His timing for our own lives and for the world.

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.

  • 1 Chronicles 2:10

    And Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah;

  • 1 Chronicles 2:12

    And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,

  • Numbers 7:12

    And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:

  • Numbers 1:7

    Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

  • Numbers 2:3

    ¶ And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab [shall be] captain of the children of Judah.

  • Luke 3:32

    Which was [the son] of Jesse, which was [the son] of Obed, which was [the son] of Booz, which was [the son] of Salmon, which was [the son] of Naasson,

  • Numbers 10:14

    In the first [place] went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host [was] Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back