Matthew 1:7

And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

And {G1161} Solomon {G4672} begat {G1080} Roboam {G4497}; and {G1161} Roboam {G4497} begat {G1080} Abia {G7}; and {G1161} Abia {G7} begat {G1080} Asa {G760};

Shlomo was the father of Rechav`am, Rechav`am was the father of Aviyah, Aviyah was the father of Asa,

Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.

and Solomon begat Rehoboam; and Rehoboam begat Abijah; and Abijah begat Asa;

Commentary on Matthew 1:7 (KJV)

Matthew 1:7 continues the vital genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His royal lineage through the kings of Judah. This verse specifically lists three generations: Solomon, Roboam, Abia, and Asa. Each name represents a significant figure in the history of ancient Israel, emphasizing the historical grounding and legitimacy of Jesus' claim as the promised Messiah and heir to King David's throne.

Context and Historical Significance

This verse is part of the second section of Matthew's genealogy, which spans from King David to the Babylonian captivity. It highlights the direct succession of kings, underscoring the continuity of the Davidic covenant. For a Jewish audience, this meticulously recorded lineage was crucial for authenticating Jesus' identity as the "Son of David," a primary messianic title.

  • Solomon: The son of King David, Solomon was renowned for his wisdom and for building the First Temple in Jerusalem. His reign marked a golden age for Israel, though it also saw the seeds of future division due to his later idolatry.
  • Roboam (Rehoboam): Solomon's son, Rehoboam, succeeded him. His refusal to lighten the burdens on the people led directly to the division of the united kingdom into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah (where Rehoboam reigned). This event was a major turning point in biblical history.
  • Abia (Abijah/Abijam): Rehoboam's son, Abijah, continued the royal line in Judah. His reign was short and marked by conflict with the northern kingdom.
  • Asa: Abijah's son, Asa, is largely remembered as a reforming king. He sought to remove idolatry from Judah and restore proper worship of God, bringing a period of peace and spiritual renewal to the kingdom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Continuity of God's Promise: Despite the flaws and failures of human kings—such as Rehoboam's unwise decisions—God's overarching plan for the Messiah's lineage remained intact. This demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises.
  • Messianic Lineage: The meticulous listing of these kings, even those with checkered records, underscores Jesus' legitimate claim to the Davidic throne and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
  • God's Sovereignty in History: The genealogy illustrates how God works through human history, including periods of prosperity, decline, and reform, to bring about His ultimate redemptive purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated Greek word translated "begat" is egennēsen (ἐγέννησεν), which simply means "he begat" or "he fathered." This repetition emphasizes the direct, unbroken line of descent, reinforcing the legal and biological continuity of the lineage. While seemingly monotonous, the precise repetition serves to confirm the historical accuracy and legitimacy of each generation.

Practical Application

For us today, this verse, like the rest of the genealogy, serves as a powerful reminder of God's steadfastness. It shows that God's plans are not derailed by human imperfections or historical turmoil. He works through generations, through both the good and the challenging times, to bring His promises to fruition. It assures us that if God was faithful to preserve this lineage for thousands of years to bring about the birth of the Savior, He will also be faithful in our lives and in His ultimate global purposes.

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 Chronicles 14:1

    ¶ So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.

  • 2 Chronicles 14:15

    They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.

  • 2 Chronicles 12:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.

  • 1 Kings 15:8

    And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead.

  • 1 Kings 15:23

    The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:10

    ¶ And Solomon's son [was] Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,

  • 1 Chronicles 3:14

    Amon his son, Josiah his son.

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