1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
3 and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
4 and Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
5 and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6 and Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
7 and Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
8 and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
9 and Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
10 and Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
11 and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
12 and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
13 and Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
14 and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
15 and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
16 and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
The Birth of Jesus
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat 1:1 1The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Mat 1:1 NASB "The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah,"
NKJV "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ"
NRSV "an account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah"
TEV "This is the family record of Jesus Christ"
NJB "roll of the genealogy of Jesus Christ"
The genealogy (cf. Gen 5:1 or "account," cf. Gen 2:4 ) is illustrative of God's hand in history fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David. The NT is the fulfillment of the OT. In some cultures the use of genealogy is evidence for a trustworthy history.
▣ "the son of David" This was a title for the promised Messiah that emphasized His Jewish royal line from the tribe of Judah (cf. Gen 49:8-12 ). He was of the seed of woman, Gen 3:15 ; the seed of Abraham, Gen 22:18 ; the seed of Judah, Gen 49:10 and the seed of David, 2Sa 7:12-14 ; 2Sa 7:16 . This phrase was a common Messianic designation in Matthew (cf. Mat 9:27 ; Mat 12:33 ; Mat 15:22 ; Mat 20:30-31 ; Mat 21:9 ; Mat 21:15 ; Mat 22:42 ).
▣ "the son of Abraham" Luke's genealogy takes the line back to Adam. Luke was written for Gentiles, so it emphasizes the common human ancestry (cf. Gen 12:3 ; Gen 22:18 ). Matthew was written for Jews, so it focuses on the beginning of the Jewish family, Abram. In Matthew's genealogy "Abraham" and " David" are highlighted by its numerical design (i.e., three groups of 1:4 ).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat 1:2-6 a
2Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron the father of Ram. 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. 6Jesse was the father of David the king.
Mat 1:2 "Judah" Judah was one of Jacob's children (cf. Gen 49:10 ; Deu 33:7 ). Mat 1:2-6 follow the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 1-3 in a limited sense.
Mat 1:3 "Perez and Zerah" Perez and Zerah were twins (cf. Gen 38:27-30 ). The Messianic line came through Perez. This section of the genealogy (Mat 1:3-5 ) follows Rth 4:18-22 .
▣ "Tamar" Tamar was Judah's daughter-in-law who became pregnant by him (cf. Gen 38:12 ff). It was very unusual to include women in Jewish genealogical lists. Several are included here in Matthew to emphasize that the lineage of the Messiah was not based on nationality or meritorious effort. Three of the women listed-Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth-were Gentiles and the fourth, Bathsheba, was married to a Hittite. The Gentiles, even women, are included for an inclusive theological impact!
Mat 1:5 "Rahab" Rahab was the Canaanite prostitute who helped the spies (cf. Jos 2:13 ; Jos 6:17 ; Jos 6:23 ; Jos 6:25 ). In Jewish and Christian tradition Rahab was an example of the power of repentance (cf. Heb 11:31 ; Jas 2:25 ).
▣ "Ruth" Ruth was a Moabitess (cf. Ruth 1). Moabites were forbidden from entering the congregation of Israel (cf. Deu 23:3 ).
She exemplified the faith of Gentiles and women and God's inclusive love. She was the grandmother of King David.
Mat 1:6 "who had been the wife of Uriah" This referred to Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon (cf. 2 Samuel 1:1 , 12), who, like Rahab and Ruth, was not Jewish.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat 1:6-11 6bDavid was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah. 7Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa. 8Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah. 9Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah was the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
Mat 1:7-11 This section (with some differences) follows 1Ch 3:10-15 .
Mat 1:7 NASB, NKJV,
TEV, NJB "Asa"
NRSV "Asaph"
This Judean king was named Asa in 1Ki 15:9 and 1Ch 3:10 . "Asa" is found in MSS L and W and fits the context. The early uncial Greek manuscripts א, B, and C surprisingly have "Asaph." This was the name of a choir director of David (cf. Psalms 5:0 , 73, 83). Most textual critics assume that this is an ancient copyist error, or just a variant spelling of the name of the king.
Mat 1:8 Three Judean kings between Joram and Uzziah are omitted (1) Ahaziah (cf. 2 Kings 8, 9; 2 Chronicles 2:2 ); (2) Joash (cf. 2Ki 11:2 ; 2Ki 12:19-21 ; 2 Chronicles 2:4 ); and (3) Amaziah (cf. 2 Kings 1:4 ; 2 Chronicles 2:5 ).
The reason for their omission is uncertain. Two theories are: (1) Joram was married to and influenced by his wife, Athaliah, the daughter of Jezebel and, therefore, his sin of idolatry was transmitted to the third generation (cf. Deu 5:9 ) or (2) Matthew is structuring the genealogy into three sections of 1:4 ancestors each (Mat 1:17 ). This would be the middle section.
Mat 1:9 "Uzziah was born to Jotham" In 2Ki 15:1-7 and 1Ch 3:12 Uzziah is called Azariah. He was a godly king who was struck with leprosy because he offered a sacrifice in a wrong manner.
Mat 1:10 "Hezekiah" Hezekiah was one of the five godly kings of Judah (Asa, Jehoshaphat, Uzziah, Hezekiah, and Josiah). His life is recorded in 2 Kings 1:8-20 , 2 Chronicles 2:9-32 , and Isaiah 3:6-39 .
▣ "Manasseh" He was the son of Hezekiah. Manasseh was reputed to be the most evil king in Judah's history (cf. 2Ki 21:2-7 ). He also reigned the longest, fifty-five years (cf. 2 Kings 2:1 ; 2 Chronicles 3:3 ).
▣ "Amon" He was the son of Manasseh and father of Josiah (cf. 2Ki 21:18-19 ; 2Ki 21:23-25 ; 1Ch 3:14 ; 2Ch 33:20-25 ). Some early uncial Greek manuscripts, א, Bc, and C, have the name, "Amos." This manuscript problem is much like Mat 1:7 .
▣ "Josiah" Another godly king of Judah, Josiah was eight years old when he became king (cf. 2 Kings 2:2-23 ; 2 Chronicles 3:4 , 35). Many scholars believe that the righteous father, the wicked son of the righteous father, and the righteous son of the wicked father in Ezekiel (cf. Eze 18:5-18 ) were direct references to Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah.
Mat 1:11 "Jeconiah" He was also called Coniah (cf. Jer 22:24 ) and Jehoiachin (cf. 2 Kings 2:4-25 ). The next to last Davidic king before the Babylonian captivity, Jeconiah was either 8 years old when he ascended the throne (cf. 2Ch 36:9 ) or 1:8 years old (cf. 2Ki 24:8 ) and reigned only three months (cf. 1Ch 3:16-17 ; Jer 24:1 ; Jer 29:2 ). Ezekiel dates his prophecies from the year of this king's exile by Nebuchadnezzar II in 59:7 B.C. (cf. Eze 1:1-2 ; Eze 8:1 ; Eze 20:1 ; Eze 24:1 ; Eze 26:1 ; Eze 29:1 ; Eze 30:20 ; Eze 31:1 ; Eze 32:1 ; Eze 32:17 ; Eze 33:21 ; Eze 40:1 ).
▣ "deportation to Babylon" This deportation occurred under Nebuchadnezzar II. Jerusalem was captured by the army of Babylon several times-in 60:5 , 597, 586, and 58:2 B.C. Several different deportations occurred.
1. deportation of Daniel and his three friends in 60:5 B.C.
2. the deportation of Jehoiachin, Ezekiel, and ten thousand soldiers and craftsmen in 59:7 B.C. (cf. 1 Kgs. Mat 24:10-17 )
3. the deportation of most of the remaining population (the city of Jerusalem was destroyed) in 58:7 /586 B.C., 2 Kings 25:4 . the final invasion and deportation of Judah in 58:2 B.C. in retaliation for the killing of Nebuchadnezzar's appointed governor, Gedeliah, and his Babylonian honor guard
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat 1:12-16 12After the deportation to Babylon, Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. 13Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor. 14Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud. 15Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob. 16Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.
Mat 1:12 "and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel" Zerubbabel was the leader of the Jews in the second return from Babylonian exile, the first return being under Sheshbazzar (cf. Ezr 1:8 ; Ezr 5:14 ). He was of the line of David (cf. Ezra 2-6). In 1Ch 3:16-19 , his father is listed as Pedaiah and his grandfather as Shealtiel. Hebrew familial terms were fluid and could refer to several different categories of relatives. In this case, Shealtiel was an uncle. This confusion could be explained if Shealtiel adopted Zerubbabel after his father Pedaiah died (cf. Ezr 3:8 ; Ezr 5:2 ; Neh 12:1 ; Hag 1:1 ).
These two names also appear in the Lucan genealogy, but in a much later period.
Mat 1:13-15 The names from Zerubbabel's son Abihud to Jacob are unknown from OT sources.
Mat 1:14 "Zadok" This was not the faithful priest of David's day (cf. 2Sa 20:25 ; 1Ch 16:39 ) because Matthew's Zadok is of the tribe of Judah, not Levi.
Mat 1:16 "Joseph the husband of Mary" "Begot," which is so prominent in this listing of the other fathers, is left out! Joseph is named as the legal father and his lineage given because this was what the Jews of the first century legally required and recognized. But he was not the true biological father. Jesus was virgin born of the Spirit of God (cf. Mat 1:23-25 ; Luk 1:34-35 ).
▣ "who is called the Messiah" "Christ" (NKJV) was the Greek translation of the Hebrew term Messiah (BDB 60:3 , cf. 1Sa 2:10 ; 1Sa 2:35 ; 2Sa 22:51 ; Psa 2:2 ; 18:51; Psa 89:38 ; Psa 89:51 ; Psa 132:10 ; Psa 132:17 ; Dan 9:24-25 ), meaning "an anointed one." Jesus was YHWH's special Servant (cf. Isa 7:14 ; Isa 9:1-7 ; Isa 11:1-5 ; Isa 52:13 to Isa 53:12 ), the Coming One, who would establish the new age of righteousness (cf. Isaiah 6:1 , 65-66). See Special Topic at Mat 8:20 .
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat 1:17 17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
Mat 1:17 "generations" This was not a complete historical genealogy. The Hebrew term "generations" was ambiguous and could have meant grandfather or great-great-grandfather or ancestor.
▣ "from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations" There are three sections of fourteen ancestors listed (1) Abraham to David, ( 2) David to the Exile, and (3) the Exile to Jesus. Only thirteen names are listed in the third section, so possibly Jehoiachin is counted in both the second and third sections. The number pattern implies that some names were left out (cf. 1 Chronicles 1-3). Some commentators believe that these structured lists of fourteen are based on the numerical value of the consonants of David's name in Hebrew (daleth, 4 + waw, 6 + daleth, 4 = 14).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat 1:18-25 18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, wanted to send her away secretly. 20But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." 22Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23" Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us." 24And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Mat 1:18 "the birth" There is a Greek manuscript variant between "beginning" [genesis] and "birth" [gennasis]. The term genesis was probably original (cf. MSS P1, א, B, C; UBS4 rated it B). While both terms can mean "birth," the first had wider connotations (creation, generation, i.e., "the new Genesis in Jesus as the second Adam, cf. Rom 5:12-21 ) and could have meant "begotten." It has been supposed that later scribes changed the first term to "birth" deliberately to counteract later Christological (gnostic) heresies (cf. The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture by Bart P. Ehrman, pp. 75-77).
▣ "betrothed to Joseph" Betrothal was a legally binding Jewish custom, usually lasting about a year before marriage. The parties lived separately but were considered contractually married. Only death or divorce could break the betrothal arrangement.
NASB "she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit"
NKJV "she was found with child of the Holy Spirit"
NRSV "she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit"
TEV "she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit"
NJB "she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit"
This refers to the virgin birth, which was not a sexual experience for Mary or the Spirit. This was a prophetic fulfillment of Gen 3:15 (" And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel"), and in a multiple fulfillment sense, of Isa 7:14 (" Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel"). Surprisingly, no apostolic sermons in Acts or the Epistles mention this, possibly because it could have been confused with Greco-Roman mythology (the Mount Olympus gods often took human women and bore children by them).
Mat 1:19 "being a righteous man" A "righteous man" meant a lawful man by the standards of the Mosaic Law and the oral traditions of his day. It does not imply sinlessness; Noah and Job were righteous in the same sense (cf. Gen 6:9 and Job 1:1 ).
▣ "to send her away secretly" Joseph could have accomplished this through two legal procedures: (1) open renunciation in court or (2) the presentation of a written bill of divorce in front of two witnesses (cf. Deuteronomy 2:4 ). Mary had not shared the vision concerning her pregnancy with Joseph. OT Law demanded the death penalty for sexual unfaithfulness (cf. Deu 22:20-21 ; Deu 22:23-24 ).
Mat 1:20 Joseph was informed about the pregnancy of his betrothed wife by an angelic messenger. In Luk 1:26 the angel is identified as Gabriel (cf. Mat 1:19 ; Dan 8:16 ; Dan 9:21 ).
The word "dream" (onar) occurs five times in the first two chapters of Matthew (cf. Mat 1:20 ; Mat 2:12-13 ; Mat 2:19 ; Mat 2:22 ), but not again until Mat 27:19 and no where else in the NT.
▣ " an angel of the Lord" This phrase is used two ways in the OT.
1. an angel (cf. Gen 24:7 ; Gen 24:40 ; Exo 23:20-23 ; Exo 32:34 ; Num 22:22 ; Jdg 5:23 ; 1Sa 24:16 ; 1Ch 21:15 ff; Zech. 1:28)
2. as a way of referring to YHWH (cf. Gen 16:7-13 ; Gen 22:11-15 ; Gen 31:11 ; Gen 31:13 ; Gen 48:15-16 ; Exo 3:2 ; Exo 3:4 ; Exo 13:21 ; Exo 14:19 ; Jdg 2:1 ; Jdg 6:22-24 ; Jdg 13:3-23 ; Zec 3:1-2 Matthew uses the phrase often (cf. Mat 1:20 ; Mat 1:24 ; Mat 2:13 ; Mat 2:19 ; Mat 28:2 ), but always in the sense of #1 above. The NT does not use sense #2 except Act 8:26 ; Act 8:29 , where, "an angel of the Lord" is paralleled to the Holy Spirit.
Mat 1:21 "you shall call His name Jesus" This name (Hebrew, Joshua) meant "YHWH saves," " YHWH brings salvation," or "YHWH is Savior" (some verb must be supplied, cf. Luk 1:31 ). See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE NAME OF THE LORD <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/name_of_the_lord.html> at Mat 18:20 .
The name YHWH means
1. This is the name which reflects deity as the covenant making God; God as savior, redeemer! Humans break covenants, but God is loyal to His word, promise, covenant (cf. Psalms 10:3 ).
This name is first mentioned in combination with Elohim in Gen 2:4 . There are not two creation accounts in Genesis 1-2, but two emphases: (1) God as the creator of the universe (the physical) and (2) God as the special creator of humanity. Gen 2:4 begins the special revelation about the privileged position and purpose of mankind, as well as the problem of sin and rebellion associated with the unique position.
2. In Gen 4:26 it is said "men began to call upon the name of the Lord" (YHWH). However, Exo 6:3 implies that early covenant people (the Patriarchs and their families) knew God only as El-Shaddai. The name YHWH is explained only one time in Exo 3:13-16 , esp. Mat 1:14 . However, the writings of Moses often interpret words by popular word plays, not etymologies (cf. Gen 17:5 ; Gen 27:36 ; Gen 29:13-35 ). There have been several theories as to the meaning of this name (taken from IDB, vol. 2, pp. 409-11).
a. from an Arabic root, "to show fervent love"
b. from an Arabic root "to blow" (YHWH as storm God)
c. from a Ugaritic (Canaanite) root "to speak"
d. following a Phoenician inscription, a causative participle meaning "the One who sustains," or "the One who establishes"
e. from the Hebrew Qal form "the One who is," or "the One who is present" (in future sense, "the One who will be")
f. from the Hebrew Hiphil form "the One who causes to be"
g. from the Hebrew root "to live" (e.g., Gen 3:20 ), meaning "the ever-living, only-living One"
h. from the context of Exo 3:13-16 a play on the imperfect form used in a perfect sense, "I shall continue to be what I used to be" or "I shall continue to be what I have always been" (cf. J. Wash Watts, A Survey of Syntax in the Old Testament, p. 67
The full name YHWH is often expressed in abbreviation or possibly an original form.
(1) Yah (e.g., Hallelu - yah)
(2) Yahu (names, e.g., Isaiah)
(3) Yo (names, e.g., Joel)
3. In later Judaism this covenant name became so holy (the tetragrammaton) that Jews were afraid to say it lest they break the command of Exo 20:7 ; Deu 5:11 ; Deu 6:13 . So they substituted the Hebrew term for "owner," "master," " husband," "lord" -adon or adonai (my lord). When they came to YHWH in their reading of OT texts they pronounced "lord." This is why YHWH is written Lord in English translations.
4. As with El, often YHWH is combined with other terms to emphasize certain characteristics of the Covenant God of Israel. While there are many possible combinations of terms, here are some.
a. YHWH - Yireh (YHWH will provide), Gen 22:14 b. YHWH - Rophekha (YHWH is your healer), Exo 15:26 c. YHWH - Nissi (YHWH is my banner), Exo 17:15 d. YHWH - Meqaddishkem (YHWH the One who sanctifies you), Exo 31:13 e. YHWH - Shalom (YHWH is Peace), Jdg 6:24 f. YHWH - Sabbaoth (YHWH of hosts), 1Sa 1:3 ; 1Sa 1:11 ; 1Sa 4:4 ; 1Sa 15:2 ; often in the Prophets)
g. YHWH - Ro'I (YHWH is my shepherd), Psa 23:1 h. YHWH - Sidqenu (YHWH is our righteousness), Jer 23:6 i. YHWH - Shammah (YHWH is there), Eze 48:35
SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/names_deity.html>
▣ "for He will save His people from their sin" Jesus came for three distinct purposes.
1. to fully reveal the Father
2. to give humans an example to follow
3. to redeem mankind from sin
Genesis 3 affected all life on this planet (cf. Rom 8:20-23 ). Jesus came to die in our place (cf. Mar 10:45 ; Joh 1:29 ; 2Co 5:21 ; Php 2:6-11 ; Isaiah 5:3 ). The promise of Gen 3:15 is fulfilled in Him!
Mat 1:23 Matthew uses the fulfillment of OT prophecy as a major evidence for Jewish people to believe in Jesus as the promised Messiah.
1. Mat 1:22 ― Isa 7:14 2. Mat 2:15 ― Hos 11:1 and Exo 4:22-23 3. Mat 2:23 ― possibly Isa 11:1 4. Mat 3:15 ― "fulfill all righteousness"
5. Mat 4:14 ― Isa 9:1-2 6. Mat 5:17 ― ". . .but to fulfill"
7. Mat 8:17 ― Isa 53:4 8. Mat 12:17 ― Isa 42:1-4 9. Mat 13:14 ― Isa 6:9-10 10. Mat 13:35 ― Psa 78:2 11. Mat 21:4 ― Isa 62:11 or Zec 9:9 12. Mat 27:9 ― Zec 11:12-13
▣ "virgin" This is a quotation of Isa 7:14 from the Septuagint. In Isaiah the Hebrew word used was almah (BDB 76:1 II), meaning a "chaste young woman of marriageable age." There was a special birth in Ahaz's day (cf. Isa 7:15-16 ). Only one virgin birth has ever occurred, not two; therefore, the historical fulfillment in Isaiah's day was a sign to Ahaz, but not an impregnation by the Holy Spirit. This is an example of a multiple fulfillment of prophecy. The sign to Ahaz was the child's name. See my commentary of Isaiah 1-39 online at www.freebiblecommentary.org. <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org./>
NASB, NKJV,
NJB "Immanuel"
NRSV, TEV "Emmanuel"
NJB "God-is-with-us"
Immanuel meant "God with us" (BDB 76:9 ). This shows that the OT passage pointed beyond its own day. Isaiah 7-12 (the Syro-Ephramitic War) ultimately referred to incarnate Deity, Jesus of Nazareth (cf. Joh 1:1 ; Joh 5:18 ; Joh 10:33 ; Joh 14:9-10 ; Php 2:6 ). However, it must be remembered that the Jews did not expect the Messiah to be divine. They would have seen the powerful names from Isa 9:6 as metaphors. It is not until the NT that the Messiah as God Incarnate was clearly revealed.
Mat 1:24-25 These verses reaffirm a truly supernatural virgin birth. They also imply that the couple had a normal married life after the birth of Jesus. The Textus Receptus, following the Greek uncial manuscripts C and D*, K, W add "her firstborn son," implying other children.
Rights in the Authorized (King James) Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Published by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press. Cambridge Univ. Press & BFBS
