Matthew 1:15

Berean Standard Bible
Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,
And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
 
King James Bible
And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
 
NET Bible
Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,
 
Greek Text:
Ἐλιαὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἐλεάζαρ, Ἐλεάζαρ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ματθάν, Ματθὰν δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰακώβ.
 
Transliteration:
Elioud de egennēsen ton Eleazar, Eleazar de egennēsen ton Matthan, Matthan de egennēsen ton Iakōb.
 
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Study Bible:
 
Eliud
The name "Eliud" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my praise." This name reflects a deep-seated tradition in Jewish culture where names often carried significant spiritual meanings. Eliud's place in the genealogy of Jesus highlights the continuity of God's plan through generations. It serves as a reminder of the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises, as each name in the genealogy represents a link in the chain leading to the Messiah.
 
was the father of
This phrase, in the original Greek, is "ἐγέννησεν" (egennēsen), which means "begat" or "became the father of." It signifies not just biological parentage but also the passing down of heritage, faith, and covenant promises. In the context of Matthew's genealogy, it underscores the divine orchestration of history, where each generation plays a role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
 
Eleazar
The name "Eleazar" means "God has helped" in Hebrew. This name is a testament to the providence and assistance of God throughout the lives of His people. In the genealogy, Eleazar represents another link in the lineage of Jesus, emphasizing that God's help and guidance were present in every generation leading to the birth of Christ.
 
the father of Matthan
The continuation of the genealogical line through Matthan, whose name means "gift" in Hebrew, suggests the idea of divine blessing and favor. Each generation is seen as a gift from God, contributing to the fulfillment of His promises. Matthan's inclusion in the genealogy serves as a reminder of the grace and generosity of God in providing a Savior.
 
Matthan the father of Jacob
The name "Jacob" is significant in biblical history, originally belonging to the patriarch who was later named Israel. In this context, Jacob represents the culmination of a long line of faithful individuals who were part of God's covenant people. The mention of Jacob in the genealogy of Jesus ties the New Testament narrative back to the foundational accounts of the Old Testament, reinforcing the continuity of God's salvation history.
 
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Commentary:
 
This verse is part of a longer list that traces Jesus' lineage back through his legal father, Joseph, from Abraham through David, and on to the Babylonian exile and beyond. Here's a breakdown:
 
Eliud: This name comes from the Hebrew "Eliud", meaning "God is my praise."
 
Eleazar: Derived from the Hebrew "Eliezer," which means "God has helped."
 
Matthan: From the Hebrew "Matthan," meaning "gift."
 
Jacob: A common Hebrew name meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel."
 
This lineage serves multiple purposes in Matthew's Gospel:
 
Establishing Jesus' Davidic descent: It shows Jesus is from the line of King David, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would be David's descendant.
 
Legal heritage: It provides Jesus with a legal claim to the throne of David through Joseph, even though Jesus' biological father was not Joseph but was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
 
Connection to Abraham: By tracing back to Abraham, Matthew highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of promises made to Abraham, extending the blessing to all nations.
 
This genealogy is structured to appeal to Jewish readers by showing Jesus' credentials as the prophesied Messiah, linking him directly to significant figures in Jewish history.