Matthew 1:11
and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text names Josiah as the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, but historical records and the need to maintain the genealogical structure suggest this is an abbreviated lineage. It likely omits Jehoiakim, Josiah's son, who was Jechoniah's father, placing Jechoniah and his uncles (Josiah's other sons) in the context of the Babylonian exile.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage through King David's line. It specifically names Josiah and his sons, placing them chronologically around the period of the Jewish people's forced exile to Babylon. This placement highlights the significant historical upheaval and loss of sovereignty experienced by the nation just before the birth of the Messiah, underscoring the hope Jesus represented amidst such hardship.
Matthew's genealogy seems to skip a generation, creating confusion about who is whose father. Why might this have happened, and what's the best way to understand it?
This verse highlights a common challenge in genealogies: missing links. Matthew's gospel, aiming for a specific structure, appears to omit Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah and father of Jechoniah.
Why the Omission?
The Solution
Most scholars agree that the intended line is: Josiah begat Jehoiakim, and Jehoiakim begat Jechoniah. While the text as written omits Jehoiakim, understanding this intermediary provides a clearer picture of the royal succession and Jesus's lineage.
The mention of 'brothers' alongside Jechoniah might seem odd, especially given the specific genealogical links. What does this reveal about the context of the deportation?
The inclusion of 'his brothers' in this verse, particularly concerning Jechoniah, points to a broader picture of the royal family and the upheaval of the Babylonian exile.
Who are the 'Brothers'?
Understand the original words
metoikesia · Greek Noun
Refers to the forced removal of the Jewish people from their land by the Babylonians, an event marking a significant divine judgment for covenant unfaithfulness. It represents a period of national humiliation and spiritual transition in Israel's history.
Babylōn · Greek Noun
A historical region and empire in Mesopotamia, often symbolizing power, opposition to God's people, and the place of divine discipline and exile for Israel. In Scripture, it represents the site of captivity and the eventual place from which God promised to restore His people.
gennaō · Greek Verb
The act of generating offspring; in biblical genealogies, it signifies the continuation of a lineage, specifically demonstrating the preservation of the Messianic line promised to David. It emphasizes the sovereign unfolding of God's redemptive plan through generations.
Matthew's genealogy notes this verse occurred 'about the time' of the deportation. This historical context highlights a period of immense upheaval and exile for the Jewish people, underscoring the precariousness of the Davidic line leading up to Jesus' birth.
c. 609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah, a righteous king, dies in battle. His son Jehoahaz briefly reigns before being deposed by Pharaoh Neco.
609 BC
Jehoiakim begins his reign
Pharaoh Neco installs Jehoiakim (formerly Eliakim), another son of Josiah, as king of Judah. He reigns for 11 years.
605 BC— this verse
First deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, prince of Babylon, invades Judah, besieging Jerusalem. He deports King Jehoiakim, members of the royal family, and a portion of the elite and skilled workers to Babylon.
c. 597 BC
Jehoiachin's brief reign and deportation
Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim, reigns for three months before surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar. He and thousands more are deported to Babylon, marking a significant phase of the exile.
This passage details Josiah's death and the immediate succession of his sons, including Jehoiakim (who is likely the omitted link in Matthew's genealogy) and his brethren, providing historical context for the events around this verse.
2 Kings 24:8-16This section describes the reign and deportation of Jehoiachin (Jechoniah) to Babylon, directly aligning with the 'time of the deportation' mentioned in Matthew 1:11 and clarifying the historical circumstances.
1 Chronicles 3:15-17This passage from Chronicles offers a more detailed account of Josiah's sons and grandsons, including Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin, which helps reconcile the genealogical discrepancies noted in scholarly commentary on Matthew 1:11.
Jeremiah 22:10-12This prophecy speaks directly about Shallum (also called Jehoahaz), one of Josiah's sons and thus a 'brother' to Jehoiakim, mentioning his exile and the fate of his descendants, adding a prophetic layer to the individuals named.
Matthew 1:12This verse immediately follows, mentioning Jehoiachin (Jechoniah) again, this time in relation to his son Salathiel after the exile, showing how Matthew structured the genealogy around key moments of transition.
bensonMatthew 1:11: "And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:"
Matthew 1:11 . Josias begat Jechonias — According to the Bodleian and other MSS., (of which notice is taken in the margin of our Bibles,) we must read Josiah begat Jehoiakim, and Jehoiakim begat Jechoniah. And this indeed seems absolutely necessary to keep up the number of fourteen generations; unless we suppose, with Dr. Whitby, that the Jechoniah here is a different person from that…
clarkeMatthew 1:11: "And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:"
Josias begat Jechonias, etc. - There are three considerable difficulties in this verse. 1. Josias was not the father of Jechonias; he was only the grandfather of that prince: 1 Chronicles 3:14-16. 2. Jechonias had no brethren; at least, none are on record. 3. Josias died 20 years before the Babylonish captivity took place, and therefore Jechonias and his brethren could not have been be…
The text names Josiah as the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, but historical records and the need to maintain the genealogical structure suggest this is an abbreviated lineage. It likely omits Jehoiakim, Josiah's son, who was Jechoniah's father, placing Jechoniah and his uncles (Josiah's other sons) in the context of the Babylonian exile.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage through King David's line. It specifically names Josiah and his sons, placing them chronologically around the period of the Jewish people's forced exile to Babylon. This placement highlights the significant historical upheaval and loss of sovereignty experienced by the nation just before the birth of the Messiah, underscoring the hope Jesus represented amidst such hardship.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage through King David's line. It specifically names Josiah and his sons, placing them chronologically around the period of the Jewish people's forced exile to Babylon. This placement highlights the significant historical upheaval and loss of sovereignty experienced by the nation just before the birth of the Messiah, underscoring the hope Jesus represented amidst such hardship.
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The Deportation Context
This phrase connects the royal line directly to the significant event of the Babylonian deportation. It wasn't just one individual being taken, but a significant portion of the ruling family and nobility. The mention of 'brothers' underscores the disruption to the entire royal house and the kingdom of Judah during this tumultuous period.
c. 597-586 BC
Zedekiah's reign
Zedekiah (formerly Mattaniah), a son of Josiah and uncle to Jehoiachin, is installed as king by Nebuchadnezzar. He reigns for eleven years, marked by rebellion against Babylon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and deports the majority of the remaining population to Babylon, effectively ending the kingdom of Judah.
"and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon." — The text names Josiah as the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, but historical records and the need to maintain the genealogical structure suggest this is an abbreviated lineage. It likely omits J…
