The Greek word metoikesía, represented by G3350, describes a change of abode or expatriation. It appears 4 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. The term specifically refers to the event of being brought or carried away from one's home, highlighting a significant and often forced relocation.
In the biblical narrative, G3350 is used exclusively within the genealogy of Jesus to denote the Babylonian exile. It is used to describe when Josias begat Jechonias "about the time they were carried away to Babylon" Matthew 1:11. This event is a critical chronological marker, with the text noting that after they were brought to Babylon, the lineage continued through Jechonias Matthew 1:12. The phrase "the carrying away into Babylon" is repeated to structure the genealogy, marking a division between two sets of fourteen generations Matthew 1:17.
Several related words help clarify the context of this significant "change of abode":
- G897 Babylṓn: The destination of the expatriation, identified as the capitol of Chaldæa Matthew 1:11. This location is central to all occurrences of G3350.
- G1074 geneá: The "carrying away" is used as a landmark to count the generations from David to Christ, emphasizing its importance in the flow of history Matthew 1:17.
- G1080 gennáō: This word, meaning to beget, shows the continuity of the lineage despite the dislocation. Josias begat Jechonias before the exile, and Jechonias begat Salathiel after it Matthew 1:11-12.
- G1138 Dabíd: The period of generations marked by the G3350 event begins after David, highlighting the exile as the end of an era in Israel's royal history Matthew 1:17.
The theological weight of G3350 is immense within Matthew's account. It functions as a key marker in the history of redemption leading to the Messiah.
- Genealogical Turning Point: The "carrying away into Babylon" serves as a pivotal event that structures the entire genealogy, separating the era of the kings from the period leading up to the birth of Christ G5547 Matthew 1:17.
- Unbroken Lineage: Despite the trauma of expatriation, the messianic line continues. The fact that Jechonias G2423 begat Salathiel G4528 after being brought to Babylon demonstrates that God's plan was not broken by this national crisis Matthew 1:12.
- Historical Marker: The term anchors the story of Jesus in a well-defined historical event, emphasizing that the promises made to Abraham G11 and David continued through periods of both blessing and judgment.
In summary, G3350 is far more than a simple reference to moving. It is a cornerstone of the genealogy in Matthew, defining a specific, catastrophic "change of abode" for the people of Israel. It illustrates how a profound moment of national displacement serves as a crucial structural and theological marker in the narrative of God's unfolding plan, bridging the history from Israel's kings to the coming of Christ.
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