Matthew 1:8

 

Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.
Matthew 1:8 Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
 
And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
Matthew 1:8 King James Bible (KJV)
 
Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah,
Matthew 1:8 New English Translation (NET)
 
Asa
Asa was a king of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to rid the land of idolatry. The name "Asa" in Hebrew means "physician" or "healer," which is fitting given his role in spiritually healing Judah by removing pagan altars and high places. Asa's reign is a reminder of the importance of spiritual leadership and the impact of righteous governance. His story, found in 1 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 14-16, highlights the blessings of obedience to God and the dangers of relying on human strength over divine guidance.
 
the father of Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat, Asa's son, continued his father's legacy of faithfulness. His name means "Yahweh has judged," reflecting his commitment to divine justice and righteousness. Jehoshaphat is noted for his judicial reforms and efforts to educate the people in God's laws, as seen in 2 Chronicles 17. His reign exemplifies the importance of seeking God's guidance in leadership and the power of prayer, as demonstrated in his victory over a vast enemy coalition through divine intervention (2 Chronicles 20).
 
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram
Joram, also known as Jehoram, was a king whose reign marked a departure from the faithfulness of his predecessors. His name means "Yahweh is exalted," yet his actions often contradicted this meaning. Joram's marriage to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, led to the introduction of Baal worship in Judah, as recorded in 2 Kings 8. His reign serves as a cautionary tale about the influence of ungodly alliances and the consequences of turning away from God.
 
Joram the father of Uzziah
Uzziah, also known as Azariah, was a king who initially followed God and experienced great success. His name means "Yahweh is my strength," which is evident in his military victories and the prosperity of Judah during his reign. However, Uzziah's pride led to his downfall when he unlawfully entered the temple to burn incense, resulting in leprosy (2 Chronicles 26). His life illustrates the dangers of pride and the importance of humility before God, reminding us that true strength comes from reliance on the Lord.
 
Berean Study Bible
 
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Asa: He was the third king of Judah, known for his religious reforms and efforts to eliminate idolatry from the kingdom.
 
Jehoshaphat: Son of Asa, who succeeded him as king. Jehoshaphat is known for his piety and for strengthening the kingdom through alliances and judicial reforms.
Joram: Also known as Jehoram, was the son of Jehoshaphat. His reign was marked by a return to idolatry and challenges from neighboring states.
 
Uzziah: Although in historical records Uzziah is the son of Amaziah, not Joram, there's a discrepancy here. In the genealogy, Matthew omits three generations (Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah) to align the number of generations in a pattern, which was a common practice in ancient genealogies for theological or symbolic reasons.
 
This verse is part of a longer list where Matthew traces Jesus's lineage back from Abraham through David and the kings of Judah, emphasizing Jesus's royal and messianic credentials. The omission of some kings in this list might be intended to keep the number of generations at 14 from Abraham to David, from David to the Babylonian exile, and from the exile to Christ, which could be symbolic for 2x7 (7 being a number often associated with completion or perfection in Jewish tradition).
 
In summary, Matthew 1:8 is part of establishing Jesus's lineage, highlighting his connection to the Davidic line and thus fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah coming from the line of David. However, the genealogical list here is more theological than strictly historical in its structure.