Matthew 1:9

And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

And {G1161} Ozias {G3604} begat {G1080} Joatham {G2488}; and {G1161} Joatham {G2488} begat {G1080} Achaz {G881}; and {G1161} Achaz {G881} begat {G1080} Ezekias {G1478};

`Uziyahu was the father of Yotam, Yotam was the father of Achaz, Achaz was the father of Hizkiyahu,

Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

and Uzziah begat Jotham; and Jotham begat Ahaz; and Ahaz begat Hezekiah;

Commentary

Context of Matthew 1:9

Matthew 1:9 is an integral part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, presented at the very beginning of the Gospel of Matthew. This meticulously recorded lineage serves a crucial purpose for Matthew's predominantly Jewish audience: to establish Jesus' rightful claim as the Messiah, the promised King from the line of David. Each "begat" phrase meticulously traces the ancestral path, connecting Jesus to the Old Testament prophecies concerning the royal descendant who would sit on David's throne forever.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse names four kings of Judah: Ozias (also known as King Uzziah), Joatham (King Jotham), Achaz (King Ahaz), and Ezekias (King Hezekiah). These rulers reigned during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, facing threats from Assyria and internal challenges. Their stories are detailed in books like 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

  • Ozias (Uzziah): Began his reign well, strengthening Judah and achieving military success, but ended his days afflicted with leprosy due to pride (2 Chronicles 26:16).
  • Joatham (Jotham): Followed in his father's footsteps, ruling righteously and continuing to fortify the kingdom.
  • Achaz (Ahaz): A stark contrast, King Ahaz was one of Judah's most wicked kings, known for his idolatry, human sacrifice, and alliance with Assyria, which brought great distress upon the nation (2 Kings 16:3).
  • Ezekias (Hezekiah): His son, Hezekiah, was a highly righteous king who initiated significant religious reforms, destroyed idols, restored temple worship, and famously trusted in the Lord during a siege by Assyria (2 Kings 18:5).

The inclusion of both righteous and wicked kings in this direct lineage highlights the sovereign hand of God, working through flawed humanity to accomplish His perfect plan.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty in History: The genealogy demonstrates God's ability to work through diverse individuals, including those who were unfaithful (like Ahaz), to bring about His ultimate purpose. No human failing can derail God's plan.
  • Messianic Lineage Confirmed: Each name reinforces Jesus' legitimate claim to the Davidic throne. This unbroken chain underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant with David, promising a perpetual heir to his throne (2 Samuel 7:12).
  • God's Patience and Grace: The lineage is not a list of perfect individuals. It showcases God's enduring patience and grace, continuing to work through generations despite their moral failings, all leading to the coming of the Savior.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated Greek word translated "begat" is egennesen (ἐγέννησΡν), which simply means "he fathered" or "he became the father of." It is a straightforward term used throughout the genealogy to denote direct paternal descent, emphasizing the unbroken physical line from Abraham to Jesus.

Practical Application

The seemingly simple listing of names in Matthew 1:9 carries profound implications for believers today:

  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: Just as God remained faithful to His promises through generations of imperfect kings, He remains faithful to His promises to us. Our personal struggles or the failings of those around us do not negate God's overarching plan.
  • God Uses Imperfect People: This genealogy is a powerful reminder that God uses ordinary, and sometimes deeply flawed, individuals to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Our past or our lineage does not disqualify us from being part of God's redemptive story.
  • Hope in God's Plan: The meticulous tracing of Jesus' ancestry assures us that God is in control of history, orchestrating events and lives to fulfill His divine will. This provides great hope and security in a chaotic world.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 15:32

    ΒΆ In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.

  • 2 Kings 16:20

    And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:11

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

  • 1 Chronicles 3:13

    Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,

  • 2 Chronicles 26:21

    And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, [being] a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son [was] over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

  • 2 Kings 18:1

    ΒΆ Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, [that] Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.

  • 2 Kings 18:20

    Thou sayest, (but [they are but] vain words,) [I have] counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
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