Matthew 1:8

And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

And {G1161} Asa {G760} begat {G1080} Josaphat {G2498}; and {G1161} Josaphat {G2498} begat {G1080} Joram {G2496}; and {G1161} Joram {G2496} begat {G1080} Ozias {G3604};

Asa was the father of Y'hoshafat, Y'hoshafat was the father of Yoram, Yoram was the father of `Uziyahu,

Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.

and Asa begat Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Uzziah;

Matthew 1:8 continues the vital genealogical record of Jesus Christ, tracing His royal lineage through a succession of kings of Judah. This verse specifically lists three generations: King Asa, followed by his son King Jehoshaphat (Josaphat), and then King Joram, who is recorded as the father of Ozias (Uzziah).

Context

This verse is embedded within the opening section of the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:1-17), which presents the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph, the legal father of Jesus. Matthew's purpose in this genealogy is to establish Jesus' rightful claim to the Davidic throne and His messianic identity, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. Unlike Luke's genealogy, which traces back to Adam, Matthew's focuses on the royal line, emphasizing Jesus as the King of Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Continuity and Purpose: The repeated phrase "begat" (Greek: egennēsen) underscores the unbroken, divinely orchestrated succession of generations leading to Christ. It highlights God's faithfulness in bringing His redemptive plan to fruition through human history.
  • Messianic Lineage: By listing these specific kings, Matthew reinforces Jesus' direct connection to the covenant promises made to King David, that his throne would be established forever.
  • Matthew's Selective Genealogy: A notable point in this verse is Matthew's omission of three kings (Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah) between Joram and Ozias (Uzziah). While these kings are recorded in Old Testament accounts (e.g., 1 Chronicles 3:11-12), Matthew's genealogy is structured into three sets of fourteen generations (Matthew 1:17), a common rabbinic practice to aid memorization and emphasize theological points. This deliberate condensation serves to highlight the structured progression towards Christ.

Historical Figures

  • Asa: A generally righteous king of Judah who removed idolatry and fortified the kingdom (1 Kings 15:11-24).
  • Josaphat (Jehoshaphat): Also a generally righteous king, known for his religious reforms and alliances (1 Kings 22:43-50).
  • Joram: A wicked king who married Ahab's daughter Athaliah and led Judah into idolatry (2 Kings 8:16-24). His wickedness contributed to the curse that led to the omission of his immediate descendants in Matthew's simplified list.
  • Ozias (Uzziah): Began his reign righteously but later became arrogant and was afflicted with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:1-23).

Practical Application

This verse, like the rest of the genealogy, reminds us that God works through real people, in real history, to accomplish His divine purposes. Even through imperfect kings and complex family histories, God's plan for salvation steadily unfolds. It underscores the reliability of God's promises and His meticulous attention to detail in preparing the way for the Messiah. For believers today, it offers assurance that God is sovereign over all generations and all circumstances, meticulously guiding history towards His ultimate goal of redemption through Jesus Christ.

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 3:11

    Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,

  • 2 Chronicles 26:1

    ¶ Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who [was] sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:23

    So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which [belonged] to the kings; for they said, He [is] a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

  • 1 Kings 22:2

    And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

  • 1 Kings 22:50

    And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Kings 3:1

    ¶ Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.

  • 2 Kings 8:16

    ¶ And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat [being] then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.

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