Matthew 1:11-12
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)
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The verse here mentions Josiah fathering Jechoniah and his brothers "about the time of the deportation to Babylon." However, Josiah himself died before this deportation. This phrasing points to the era of this significant historical event as the marker for the birth of these individuals, rather than indicating Josiah was their direct father at that specific time.
This verse marks a significant, yet somewhat obscured, point in the genealogy of Jesus. It highlights the lineage tracing from Josiah, the last righteous king of Judah, through his sons and grandsons, directly before and during the Babylonian exile. This period signifies the tragic end of the Davidic monarchy and the people's forced removal from their homeland.
Have you ever felt like you're missing a piece of the puzzle? This verse presents a genealogical hiccup that has puzzled scholars for centuries.
Matthew's genealogy is designed to show Jesus' royal lineage, but verse 11 presents a challenge. The text reads 'Josiah begat Jechoniah,' but historical records and other biblical accounts show that Josiah was Jechoniah's grandfather, not his father.
The Missing Jehoiakim
Most commentators agree that Matthew likely omitted a name here to maintain a structured count of generations. The missing link is Jehoiakim, Josiah's son, who was indeed the father of Jechoniah (also known as Jehoiachin).
The mention of 'brothers' in this verse, especially in relation to Jechoniah, might seem straightforward, but it opens up a fascinating discussion on how kinship was understood.
The verse says Josiah begat 'Jechoniah and his brothers.' This phrasing has caused confusion because Jechoniah (Jehoiakim) himself didn't have brothers in the direct sense. However, biblical genealogies often used 'brothers' to encompass a wider family circle, including uncles and cousins, especially when referring to royal lines.
Uncle or Brother?
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 connects Jesus to the lineage of David, but the inclusion of Jechoniah and his brothers 'about the time of the deportation to Babylon' highlights a critical turning point. This period saw the end of the Davidic monarchy and the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a time of immense national trauma and loss of royal authority.
c. 609 BC
Death of Josiah
King Josiah, a righteous ruler, is killed in battle at Megiddo. His son Jehoahaz briefly reigns before being deposed and exiled by Pharaoh Neco.
c. 609 BC
Jehoiakim's Reign Begins
Pharaoh Neco installs Jehoiakim (originally Eliakim), another son of Josiah, as king of Judah. He pays tribute to Egypt.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar defeats the Egyptians at Carchemish and begins his campaign against Judah. He deports some of the nobility and treasures to Babylon, including Daniel.
c. 600-598 BC
Jehoiakim's Rebellion
Jehoiakim rebels against Babylonian rule, leading to further conflict and hardship. He dies before Nebuchadnezzar arrives to besiege Jerusalem.
This passage describes the first deportation to Babylon under King Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah), directly connecting to the 'time of the deportation' mentioned in Matthew's verse.
1 Chronicles 3:15-16This passage lists the sons of Josiah, including Jehoiakim (who is often conflated or omitted in Matthew's genealogy) and his brothers, clarifying the family relationships around Jeconiah.
Jeremiah 22:24-30The prophet Jeremiah directly addresses Jeconiah (Coniah), pronouncing judgment upon him and his lineage, highlighting the gravity of his exile to Babylon.
Matthew 1:12This verse immediately follows, detailing the 'after the deportation to Babylon' and further listing descendants, showing the progression of the lineage through this significant historical event.
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 verse here mentions Josiah fathering Jechoniah and his brothers "about the time of the deportation to Babylon." However, Josiah himself died before this deportation. This phrasing points to the era of this significant historical event as the marker for the birth of these individuals, rather than indicating Josiah was their direct father at that specific time.
This verse marks a significant, yet somewhat obscured, point in the genealogy of Jesus. It highlights the lineage tracing from Josiah, the last righteous king of Judah, through his sons and grandsons, directly before and during the Babylonian exile. This period signifies the tragic end of the Davidic monarchy and the people's forced removal from their homeland.
This verse marks a significant, yet somewhat obscured, point in the genealogy of Jesus. It highlights the lineage tracing from Josiah, the last righteous king of Judah, through his sons and grandsons, directly before and during the Babylonian exile. This period signifies the tragic end of the Davidic monarchy and the people's forced removal from their homeland.
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It's a reminder that genealogies aren't just dry lists; they are woven with the stories of people and their relationships during significant historical moments.
Why does Matthew specifically mention the 'deportation to Babylon' right here? This phrase isn't just a date marker; it signals a profound shift.
Matthew anchors this particular generation to a major historical event: the Babylonian exile. This wasn't just a geographical move; it was a crisis of faith and identity for the people of God.
From Kingdom to Captivity
The mention of the exile isn't just incidental; it sets the stage for the coming of a Messiah who would fulfill promises made even amidst national disaster.
598 BC— this verse
Jehoiachin's Reign and Deportation
Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah or Jechoniah), son of Jehoiakim, reigns for three months. Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem and deports Jehoiachin and thousands of other Judeans to Babylon.
c. 597-587 BC
Zedekiah's Reign
Nebuchadnezzar installs Zedekiah (originally Mattaniah), another son of Josiah and uncle to Jehoiachin, as king. He initially appears loyal but later rebels.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple. Most of the remaining population is exiled to Babylon, marking the end of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
"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 verse here mentions Josiah fathering Jechoniah and his brothers "about the time of the deportation to Babylon." However, Josiah himself died before this deportation. This phrasing points to the…
