Shroro:

Bible Study - Matthew Chapter 1
Verses 1-17

from Kaniyamparmabil Achen, the Great Teacher of Malankara

v1-17 – Genealogy

One of the most commendable things about the Jews is that they preserved their genealogy. In the Old Testament, we can see the genealogy of many important persons. (Gen 5:1, 10:1; 11:10; 11:27). The reasons why the Hebrews were so particular in preserving genealogies are:

1. If any of them have even a little ‘outside blood’ then they are not eligible to called a Jew.
2. A Jewish priest had to show his lineage from Aaron
3. Even a lady that a Jewish man marries need to show at least five generation of lineage. We can see such a verification in Ezra 2:62
4. The ‘Sanhedrim ’ (a council with 71 members) preserved these lineages

Two different genealogies are given by St. Matthew and St. Mark. We will address these differences in detail in the interpretation of the epistle of St. Mark.

Uniqueness of this genealogy

This genealogy is divided into three sections, each having 14 generations.

a) In the first section is history up to David. David was the greatest King of the Israelites. He is the one who organized the Israelites into a great power.
b) The second section from David to Babel exile. That is a time, which portrays the degradation and destruction of Israelites.
c) This section is from Babel exile to our Lord.

Each of these three sections also shows the spiritual history of mankind. That is:

1) Man has been created to most noble state. (Gen 1:26). He was created to be rule as a king.
2) But man lost his nobility. Lost the status as the subordinate of the Lord, becoming a slave to sin.
3) Man can return to his old noble state. The Lord did not let go of the degraded man. So He sent His own Son to save the man and to deliver him from the sins and there by guide him to be in relationship [acquaintance, communion] with God.

In this genealogy, St. Matthew highlights three things:

1) The prosperity, ruin and renewal of Israelites.
2) Highlights an important aspect of Jesus Christ, being the Son of David. Son of David: St. Matthew portrays Jesus is the son of David, the Messiah that the Jewish people were expecting. In the first documented speech of the Christian church, St Peter uses this name. St Paul (Romans 1:3; 2 Tim 2:8) and St. John (John 22:16) also uses this name. It is used many times in this gospel as well (12:23, 15:22, 20:30, 21:9,15). The Jews anticipated that Son of David would save them from their ruins.
3) The Hebrews did not have the custom of including the name of their woman in genealogical chain. The woman had been treated as an object who had no social or legal rights of any sort. But in this genealogical chain woman were also included. The list even contains some Gentile woman and even some woman with bad morals. Tamar (Gen 38), Rahab( Josh:2:1-7), and Beth-Sa-Ba , the wife of Uriah were all people with poor morals. Ruth (2 Samuel: 11:12) was an Ammonite. Actually Jews are banned from having any relationship with either Ammonite or Moabite. (Deut 23:4)

Please take note of the explanations of the church fathers. (St. Jerome and St. John Chrysostom).

1) Even if one’s ancestors are impious or sinners, they can, turn back to the righteous. Our Lord came seeking sinners not only the just.
2) The separation between a gentile and a Jew has been removed, because of Christ. The Love of the God and universality of the epistles can be seen in this.
3) The inequality between man and woman has been removed. Both man and woman are required for fulfilling God’s objective.
4) Verse 16 is really noteworthy. Joseph is introduced and then St. Mary and then Jesus. The usage is “…Joseph the husband of Mary. Of whom was born Jesus.” This is clear proof stating the virgin birth of Jesus. (For many fellowships, virgin birth of Jesus is not a doctrine. But for the Holy Church that is a doctrine.)

V-17 Babel Exile

After David, nearly 20 kings ruled the Jews. During the time of King Hezekiah (715-687) (Source)

The Assyrian Emperor attacked the Jewish state. But the king secured a peace treaty and gave presents and sent the Assyrian kings back. Then the emperor of Babylon, Nebuchadnezer invaded Egypt in BC 605. Then he annexed Judea and became its king Jehoiakim [Eliakim] (609-598). Judea survived by giving him ‘ransom’ for three years. But the emperor again attacked Judea, killed the king and imprisoned his son and a large population, taking them to his country. The Babylonians replaced him with Zedekiah; Jehoiachin’s uncle But Sedakia who became king in BC 597 attacked the Babylonians. He was defeated in that war. He was captured and taken to Nebuchadnezzar’s headquarters in Syria. His sons were executed, and then he was blinded and taken prisoner to Babylon where he died (2 Kings 25:5-7; Jer. 52:11). With his death the Davidic dynasty in Judea that had ruled the Israelites for over 400 years ended. The temple of Jerusalem, which Solomon built, was completely destroyed. The gold and silver chalice used in the temple was taken away and was used as wine glasses in the palace. It as at this time that prophet Jeremiah, lived. Along with the people in exile, he too had gone to Babylon. A lot of people fled to Egypt fearing Nebuchadenezer the exile, which started by BC 587, continued till BC 537. Some prominent people lived there engaged in agriculture. Some others gave up their faith. But many prayed with tears about there humiliation. A very few, like Daniel, received favors from the king as well. Prophet Ezekiel worked among the people for repentance and for ‘religious education.’ It was at this time that they received the opportunity to examine their ancestral history and collecting related documents. The books of Joshua, Judges, and Kings are considered to be books of those times. Some books related to prayers were also written. After the reign of Nebuchadnezer, Kuresh, the king of Elam annexed Babylon. This resulted in the end of Babylon kingdom and rise of Persian Empire. King Kuresh allowed the Jews to return to Palestine. In BC 536, under the leadership of Surbabel many returned to Palestine with the chalice and other valuables. The main effort of the people who returned was resurrection of the temple. Prophets Haggai, Zechariah encouraged the people. By BC 516 the temple was reconstructed and celebrated the festival in it.