Matthew 1:11

And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

And {G1161} Josias {G2502} begat {G1080} Jechonias {G2423} and {G2532} his {G846} brethren {G80}, about the time {G1909} they were carried away {G3350} to Babylon {G897}:

Yoshiyahu was the father of Y'khanyahu and his brothers at the time of the Exile to Bavel.

and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

and Josiah begat Jechoniah and his brethren, at the time of the carrying away to Babylon.

Commentary

Historical and Cultural Context

Matthew 1:11 is a crucial link in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His lineage through King David and Abraham. This verse specifically highlights the transition from King Josias (Josiah) to Jechonias (also known as Jehoiachin or Coniah), marking a significant turning point in Israelite history: the Babylonian Captivity. This period, around 586 BC, saw the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the forced deportation of the Judean elite to Babylon. It was a time of immense national crisis and divine judgment, yet within God's sovereign plan.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Sovereignty in History: Even amidst national disaster and exile, God remains in control, guiding the lineage through which the Messiah would come. The exile was not an interruption of God's plan but a part of it, fulfilling prophetic warnings.
  • Continuity of the Davidic Line: Despite the end of the monarchy and the exile, the royal line promised to David did not cease. Jechonias, though a captive king, continued the lineage, ensuring that the future Messiah would indeed be of the house and lineage of David.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The Babylonian exile was a direct fulfillment of prophecies given through prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah, warning Israel of the consequences of their disobedience. Matthew's inclusion of this detail underscores the divine orchestration of history leading to Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "begat" is egennesen (ἐγέννησεν), meaning "he fathered" or "he became the father of." This term consistently emphasizes direct lineal descent throughout Matthew's genealogy, affirming the biological connection in the royal line. The mention of "his brethren" alongside Jechonias likely refers to other sons of King Josiah or prominent members of the royal family who were also part of the deportation, emphasizing the collective nature of the exile.

Significance for the Genealogy

Matthew's genealogy is structured into three periods of fourteen generations each (Matthew 1:17): from Abraham to David, from David to the Babylonian captivity, and from the captivity to Christ. Verse 11 marks the end of the second period and the beginning of the third, highlighting the exile as a pivotal dividing point in Israel's history, a stark reminder of their spiritual journey and God's enduring promise of redemption.

Practical Application and Reflection

Matthew 1:11 reminds us that God works through all circumstances, even those that appear to be setbacks or judgments. The Babylonian exile was a dark chapter, yet it was precisely through this period that the stage was set for the eventual coming of the Messiah. This verse offers hope, showing that God's plans are unthwarted by human failures or historical calamities. It encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness and sovereignty, even when circumstances seem dire, knowing that He is always working towards His ultimate redemptive purposes.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 27:20 (6 votes)

    Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;

  • Jeremiah 52:11 (3 votes)

    Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.

  • Jeremiah 52:15 (3 votes)

    Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive [certain] of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.

  • Daniel 1:2 (3 votes)

    And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

  • Jeremiah 52:28 (3 votes)

    This [is] the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:

  • Jeremiah 52:30 (3 votes)

    In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons [were] four thousand and six hundred.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:20 (2 votes)

    And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: