Matthew 1:11-12
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The phrase "and his brothers" likely refers to Josiah's sons other than the direct ancestor, highlighting the royal lineage and the tumultuous times of the Judean monarchy. This detail points to the inclusion of figures like Jehoahaz and Zedekiah, whose reigns were marked by the impending Babylonian exile, underscoring the instability leading up to this pivotal moment.
and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, which is structured into three sets of fourteen generations. The current section traces Jesus' lineage from King David down to the Babylonian exile, and this particular verse places Josiah and his sons within that historical context. The following verse will then bridge the gap from the exile to Jesus' birth.
Matthew's genealogy seems to have a missing link. Why would he intentionally leave out a name, and what does this tell us about his goal?
Matthew 1:11 presents a challenge: Josiah is listed as the father of Jechoniah and his brothers. However, the Old Testament clearly states that Josiah was the grandfather of Jechoniah, with Jehoiakim (also known as Eliakim) being Josiah's son and Jechoniah's father.
Several commentators note that the name 'Jehoiakim' is missing from this verse in many manuscripts, suggesting a possible scribal error or intentional omission.
Why would Matthew omit Jehoiakim?
The mention of 'his brothers' alongside Jechoniah is unusual. Who were they, and what do they add to this part of the story?
Ask a follow-up
The verse mentions 'Jechoniah and his brothers.' While Jechoniah (also known as Jehoiachin) himself had no recorded sons who reigned, his 'brothers' in this context likely refers to his uncles—the other sons of Josiah who were either kings or prominent figures during this tumultuous period.
Specifically, these would be:
Including these 'brothers' (or uncles) serves several purposes:
The phrase 'about the time of the deportation to Babylon' isn't just a date marker; it's a critical moment of judgment and transition. What does this signify for Jesus' lineage?
This verse pinpoints a pivotal moment: the deportation to Babylon. This event wasn't just a historical inconvenience; it represented a profound divine judgment upon Judah for generations of unfaithfulness, idolatry, and disobedience.
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 Jeconiah and his brothers around the time of the Babylonian deportation. This highlights a period of immense crisis and exile for the Davidic line, setting a somber backdrop for the promised restoration through Jesus.
c. 609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah, a righteous king who had led reforms, was killed in battle, leaving a fractured succession.
609 BC
Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim Reign
After Josiah's death, his son Jehoahaz reigned briefly before being deposed by Pharaoh Necho, who installed Jehoiakim (originally Eliakim) as king.
c. 605 BC— this verse
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invades Judah, and King Jehoiakim becomes his vassal. A first wave of Judean nobles and skilled workers, including members of the royal line, are deported to Babylon.
598/597 BC
Jehoiachin's Reign and Deportation
Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim, reigns for only three months before surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar. He and many more Judeans, including members of the royal family, are exiled to Babylon.
597 BC
Zedekiah's Reign Begins
Nebuchadnezzar installs Zedekiah, another son of Josiah, as king. He reigns as a puppet ruler over the remaining population in Judah.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
After Zedekiah rebels, Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, deporting the majority of the remaining population to Babylon, marking the end of the kingdom of Judah.
This passage directly describes the first deportation to Babylon, highlighting the context of Jechoniah and his family, which the verse in Matthew references.
1 Chronicles 3:15-16This passage provides a more detailed list of Josiah's sons, including Jehoiakim (who is often conflated with or omitted before Jechoniah in Matthew's genealogy), clarifying the familial relationships.
Jeremiah 22:11Jeremiah mentions Shallum (also called Jehoahaz), another son of Josiah, placing him within the same generation and historical period as Jechoniah and his brothers, further illuminating the 'brethren' mentioned.
2 Chronicles 36:10This verse shows Zedekiah, referred to as Jechoniah's uncle (and thus a 'brother' in the broader sense used in Matthew's genealogy), being appointed king by the king of Babylon after Jechoniah's exile, underscoring the political turmoil of the time.
Daniel 1:1-2This passage recounts Daniel and his companions being taken to Babylon during the initial stages of the exile, directly illustrating the 'carrying away to Babylon' event that frames this part of the genealogy.
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" likely refers to Josiah's sons other than the direct ancestor, highlighting the royal lineage and the tumultuous times of the Judean monarchy. This detail points to the inclusion of figures like Jehoahaz and Zedekiah, whose reigns were marked by the impending Babylonian exile, underscoring the instability leading up to this pivotal moment.
This verse appears in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, which is structured into three sets of fourteen generations. The current section traces Jesus' lineage from King David down to the Babylonian exile, and this particular verse places Josiah and his sons within that historical context. The following verse will then bridge the gap from the exile to Jesus' birth.
This verse appears in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, which is structured into three sets of fourteen generations. The current section traces Jesus' lineage from King David down to the Babylonian exile, and this particular verse places Josiah and his sons within that historical context. The following verse will then bridge the gap from the exile to Jesus' birth.
"and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel," — The phrase "and his brothers" likely refers to Josiah's sons other than the direct ancestor, highlighting the royal lineage and the tumultuous times of the Judean monarchy. This detail points to the…
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Last reviewed October 2026
