and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "and his brothers" attached to Jechoniah here likely refers not to his siblings, but to his uncles—the sons of Josiah, such as Zedekiah. This inclusion broadens the perspective from a single individual to the immediate royal family facing the immense upheaval of the Babylonian exile.
and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears within Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage from Abraham down to Joseph. It falls between lists of kings and prominent figures, specifically noting a transition point marked by the Babylonian exile, a period of immense upheaval and exile for the Jewish people. This placement highlights the impact of historical events on the unfolding lineage leading to the Messiah.
Ever feel like a piece of information is just missing? Matthew's genealogy seems to have one, and it's caused quite a stir for centuries!
When you read Matthew 1:11, you might notice a jump. The verse says, 'Josiah fathered Jechoniah,' but historical records (like 2 Kings) tell us Josiah's son was Jehoiakim, and then Jehoiakim's son was Jechoniah (also called Jehoiachin).
This means the name Jehoiakim is likely omitted between Josiah and Jechoniah in Matthew's list. Why?
History has turning points, moments that reshape entire nations. This verse anchors a generation in one such cataclysmic event.
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The phrase 'about the time of the deportation to Babylon' isn't just a historical marker; it’s deeply significant for understanding the context of Jesus’ lineage.
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.
This verse is embedded in a tumultuous period of Judean history marked by multiple deportations to Babylon, highlighting the decline and eventual fall of the Davidic monarchy.
c. 609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah, a reforming king, is killed in battle, leading to instability and the ascension of his son Jehoahaz, then Jehoiakim.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports some of the Jewish nobility and skilled workers to Babylon, beginning the period of exile.
c. 598 BC— this verse
Reign of King Jehoiachin (Jechoniah)
Jehoiachin, grandson of Josiah, reigns for only three months before surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar. He and many more are deported to Babylon.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following Jehoiachin's surrender, a larger group of Judeans, including prominent citizens and craftsmen, are exiled to Babylon.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling the remaining population except for the poorest to Babylon.
This passage details the initial deportation to Babylon under Jehoiachin (Jechonias), directly linking the historical event mentioned in Matthew 1:11 to the individuals in the genealogy. It sheds light on the specific 'carrying away' that contextualizes this part of Jesus' lineage.
1 Chronicles 3:15-16This passage provides the Old Testament account of Josiah's sons, including Jehoiakim (who is omitted in Matthew's genealogy at this point) and Zedekiah, thus helping to clarify the familial relationships and potential omissions in Matthew's list.
Jeremiah 22:24-30This prophetic passage speaks directly to Jeconiah (Jechonias), denouncing him and his lineage, and prophesying that no descendant would sit on David's throne. It highlights the desperate circumstances and the brokenness of the royal line at this point in history.
Ezra 1:1-4This passage describes the decree of Cyrus allowing the Jews to return from Babylonian exile, marking the 'after the deportation' period mentioned in the genealogy. It shows the eventual end of the exile that so profoundly shaped this generation and those that followed.
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 phrase "and his brothers" attached to Jechoniah here likely refers not to his siblings, but to his uncles—the sons of Josiah, such as Zedekiah. This inclusion broadens the perspective from a single individual to the immediate royal family facing the immense upheaval of the Babylonian exile.
This verse appears within Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage from Abraham down to Joseph. It falls between lists of kings and prominent figures, specifically noting a transition point marked by the Babylonian exile, a period of immense upheaval and exile for the Jewish people. This placement highlights the impact of historical events on the unfolding lineage leading to the Messiah.
This verse appears within Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage from Abraham down to Joseph. It falls between lists of kings and prominent figures, specifically noting a transition point marked by the Babylonian exile, a period of immense upheaval and exile for the Jewish people. This placement highlights the impact of historical events on the unfolding lineage leading to the Messiah.
"and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon." — The phrase "and his brothers" attached to Jechoniah here likely refers not to his siblings, but to his uncles—the sons of Josiah, such as Zedekiah. This inclusion broadens the perspective from a sing…
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Last reviewed October 2026