And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights how God's promises often unfold in ways we don't expect. Even though Jeconiah was cursed with a childless future in terms of reigning, his royal line continued through his son, Salathiel, showing that God's covenant faithfulness transcends human pronouncements and even apparent dead ends.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing the lineage after the Jewish exile to Babylon. It highlights key figures like Jeconiah, Salathiel, and Zerubbabel, who were central to the restoration and continuation of David's royal line, even though they no longer held kingly power. This section bridges the gap from the captivity to the post-exilic period, setting the stage for the future Messiah's arrival.
How could Jeconiah, famously declared 'childless,' be the ancestor of Jesus?
The prophecy in Jeremiah 22:30 declared that Jeconiah (also called Coniah or Jehoiachin) would have 'no one to sit on the throne of David' in Judah. This wasn't a literal absence of children, but a statement about his royal line being cut off from ruling. Despite this pronouncement, Jeconiah did have descendants, including his son Shealtiel (or Salathiel in Matthew's Greek). This preserved the Davidic lineage, even though the kingdom itself was lost.
How can Zerubbabel be both the son of Shealtiel and also linked to Pedaiah?
Genealogies in Scripture sometimes present complex family relationships. In Zerubbabel's case, tradition suggests a scenario of 'legal sonship' or 'levirate marriage.' If Shealtiel (his father in Matthew's line) died without an heir, his brother Pedaiah might have married Shealtiel's widow to produce an heir for Shealtiel. This child, Zerubbabel, would then be considered the legal son of both Shealtiel (by lineage and inheritance) and Pedaiah (by biological fatherhood). This practice helped maintain family lines and inheritances.
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The genealogy in Matthew 1:12 highlights key figures who lived through the pivotal Babylonian exile and the subsequent return to Jerusalem, emphasizing the continuation of David's royal line even after the kingdom's collapse.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah) and many Jewish nobles and craftsmen to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC— this verse
Jeconiah's Exile and Descendants
Jeconiah (Jechonias) is exiled to Babylon. Though a prophecy suggested he would have no successful heir to the throne, his lineage continued, with his son Shealtiel (Salathiel) and grandson Zerubbabel (Zorobabel) being significant figures.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Under Cyrus the Great, the Persian ruler who conquered Babylon, many Jews are permitted to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Zerubbabel leads this first major wave of returnees.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The Second Temple in Jerusalem is completed and dedicated under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua the High Priest. This event signifies the re-establishment of Jewish religious life after the exile.
This prophecy concerning Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah) states he would be 'childless,' which at first glance seems to contradict Matthew's genealogy. However, the context clarifies that 'childless' here refers to not having any descendants who would prosper and sit on David's throne, not a literal lack of offspring. This passage helps explain the nuance of the prophecy and how the lineage could continue through his descendants.
Luke 3:27Luke's genealogy also names Salathiel and Zerubbabel, but lists Salathiel as the son of Neri. This parallel account highlights the complexities and potential discrepancies in ancient genealogies, suggesting different lines of descent or adoption practices may be at play, illustrating how the lineage was traced in the Old Testament.
1 Chronicles 3:17-19This Old Testament passage offers a different, yet related, account of Zerubbabel's parentage, naming him as the son of Pedaiah, who was the brother of Shealtiel (Salathiel). This provides context for the discussion of legal versus natural sonship, or the practice of levirate marriage, which could explain why Zerubbabel is called the son of Salathiel in Matthew's account.
Ezra 3:2Ezra directly identifies Zerubbabel as the son of Shealtiel (Salathiel). This passage supports Matthew's account and shows Zerubbabel's prominent role in the post-exilic period, reinforcing his significance in the lineage leading to Christ.
Nehemiah 12:1Similar to Ezra, Nehemiah also refers to Zerubbabel as the son of Shealtiel. This consistency across different Old Testament books adds weight to Matthew's genealogical record, confirming Zerubbabel's place in the Davidic line after the exile.
bensonMatthew 1:12: "And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;"
Matthew 1:12 . And after they were brought to Babylon — After the Babylonish captivity commenced, Jechonias begat Salathiel — It is here objected, that God said concerning this Jeconiah, called also Coniah, Jeremiah 22:30 , Write ye this man childless: How then did he beget Salathiel? This objection is easily answered, for that verse, (where see the note,) expounds itself: it being…
clarkeMatthew 1:12: "And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;"
Jechonias begat Salathiel - After Jechonias was brought to Babylon, he was put in prison by Nebuchadnezzar, where he continued till the death of this prince, and the accession of Evilmerodach, who brought him out of prison, in which he had been detained thirty-seven years, and restored him to such favor that his throne (seat) was exalted above all the kings which were with him in Ba…
This verse highlights how God's promises often unfold in ways we don't expect. Even though Jeconiah was cursed with a childless future in terms of reigning, his royal line continued through his son, Salathiel, showing that God's covenant faithfulness transcends human pronouncements and even apparent dead ends.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing the lineage after the Jewish exile to Babylon. It highlights key figures like Jeconiah, Salathiel, and Zerubbabel, who were central to the restoration and continuation of David's royal line, even though they no longer held kingly power. This section bridges the gap from the captivity to the post-exilic period, setting the stage for the future Messiah's arrival.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing the lineage after the Jewish exile to Babylon. It highlights key figures like Jeconiah, Salathiel, and Zerubbabel, who were central to the restoration and continuation of David's royal line, even though they no longer held kingly power. This section bridges the gap from the captivity to the post-exilic period, setting the stage for the future Messiah's arrival.
"And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel," — This verse highlights how God's promises often unfold in ways we don't expect. Even though Jeconiah was cursed with a childless future in terms of reigning, his royal line continued through his son,…
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Last reviewed October 2026