Devine Scripture

Matthew 1:8

What does Matthew 1:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 1:8 means

This verse continues the succession of kings in Judah, naming Jehoshaphat, Joram, and Uzziah. Notably, it omits three kings between Joram and Uzziah (Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah), which was not uncommon in ancient genealogies which often focused on significant figures or maintained a desired numerical pattern. This demonstrates that Hebrew genealogies were not always exhaustive but served a thematic purpose—in this case, establishing the Davidic descent of Jesus and fitting the numerical pattern of fourteen generations mentioned in verse 17.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and Asa begat Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Uzziah;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and Asa begat Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Uzziah;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the son of Asa was Jehoshaphat; and the son of Jehoshaphat was Joram; and the son of Joram was Uzziah;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Asa begat Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat begat Joram, and Joram begat Uzziah,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and Asa begat Josaphat, and Josaphat begat Joram, and Joram begat Ozias,

Context

This verse is an integral part of the continuing royal genealogy, maintaining the detailed record of Jesus' Davidic ancestry. It follows the previous listing of kings after Solomon and continues toward the period of the Babylonian exile. The selective nature of the list, omitting certain names, serves the overall structural purpose Matthew has for the genealogy while still affirming the direct lineage of kings.

v.7and Solomon begat Rehoboam; and Rehoboam begat Abijah; and Abijah begat Asa;

v.8This passage

v.9and Uzziah begat Jotham; and Jotham begat Ahaz; and Ahaz begat Hezekiah;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Kings 15:24

    And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father; and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Chronicles 17:1

    And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.

  • 2 Chronicles 21:1

    And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Kings 3:1

    Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.

  • 2 Kings 8:16

    And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.

  • 2 Kings 15:1

    In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.

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