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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
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 11, 12), who, like Rahab and Ruth, was not Jewish.