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Biblical Problems
 
The Geneology in St Mathew:
What does it mean?
 
Dr Paul Kariamadom V C

The genealogy of Jesus is given in the very first chapter of St Matthew’s Gospel. Here we see three groups of fourteen generations each. The purpose of the author is to establish that Jesus, the son of Abraham, belongs to the house of David. Jesus, of the family of David is the chief figure of this Gospel. The genealogy comprises the introduction to the entire Gospel. In Matthew 1:1 we see the word ‘generation’ which is the same word used as introduction to the genealogy of Adam in Genesis 5:1. The names and presentation here are different from that of the Gospel of St Luke. Here, too, we cannot go into the meticulous details of the genealogy. Though several names of the Old Testament are seen here, some of the names mentioned are not in the Old Testament. For example, the names of three kings are omitted from the genealogy. King Jechoniah occurs twice (Mt 1:11-12). The intention of the Evangelist is to present the Messiah who is of kingly descent and the hope of the ages.
 
 
The meaning of this genealogy

In the first part is the genealogy from Abraham, the Father of the Israelite nation to David their king. In the second is the description of the generations from David to the time of Israel’s exile (the Babylonian captivity). The generations from the Babylonian captivity to the coming of Christ are included in the third group. From this we can understand that in this genealogy of Christ, the Evangelist is presenting a concise summary of the Old Testament history.

Scholars attribute different meanings to this genealogy. In the Hebrew language, syllables, have the value of numbers. In the word David there are three syllables DWD. The first syllable signifies four, the second six and the last again four digits. Thus the name David has a sum total of fourteen. The author wants to point out that Jesus is the king belonging to the house of David through three references to the fourteen generations.

The Evangelist also makes it clear through the presentation of the genealogy that the fulfilment of Christ’s time has come. There are six groups of seven in the genealogy. In each section there are two groups. Thus Jesus is the head of the seventh group. (The number seven signifies perfection). The genealogy of the patriarchs (six groups) reaches its perfection in the seventh generation beginning with Jesus. In Jesus begins the new age and the new race of mankind and he reigns as the crown of the new creation.
 
 

Women in the genealogy

In the genealogy of St Matthew, we see the names of some women. They are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Urias’ wife Bathsheba. The Jews considered only the paternal genealogy. That is why Joseph’s genealogy is mentioned in the Gospel of St Matthew. It is not correct to say that in Luke, it is the genealogy of Mary that is mentioned. It is through Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and his legal father, that Jesus became a member of the house of David.

It is commonly held that at least some of the women seen in this genealogy were sinful women. Ruth and Tamar cannot be taken as such. Some consider them as gentiles. By mentioning their names, the Evangelist is highlighting the truth that Jesus is the Saviour of sinners and gentiles. The Fathers of the Church concur with this opinion.

We read about Tamar (cf Mt 1:3) in Genesis 38: 1-30. In the view of the Jews, specially in the Targum, Tamar is not considered a sinner. They look upon her as one belonging to the house of David through the tribe of David and through David to the house of the Messiah. It is clear that the community of St Matthew took her to be one who longed for the blessings of the coming Messiah.

We read about Rahab (cf Mt 1:5) in the Old Testament in the book of Joshua(cf 2:1-21). Rahab was not considered a harlot in the Jewish tradition. In a moment of great crisis in the History of Salvation, she did her level best to save Israel. She saved two messengers of Joshua. The Jews of the New Testament considered her as a model of faith (cf Heb 11:31). The Jewish tradition held that the Holy Spirit dwelt in her.

We read about Ruth in the book of Ruth. She has a special place in the family of David. Ruth was a woman from Moab. Through her all the gentiles received a special blessing of the Messiah even as did Israel.

Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, is mentioned (cf Mt 1:6) specifically in Samuel 11:3. Jewish tradition does not consider her as a sinner either. She, who became Solomon’s mother, prepared the way for the kingly house of the Messiah. In short, all the above-mentioned women became important factors in the plan of God through the intervention of the Holy Spirit. They are faithful in their mission. They paved the way for God’s election of the Blessed Virgin Mary and remain as her symbols.
 
 

Conclusion

In the genealogy of Mathew, Jesus is shown with great emphasis as the fulfilment of the messianic prophecies. The Messiah, who is born of Abraham, is the Saviour of all (cf Gen 12:13). Jesus is not considered by the author as one who just belongs to the house of David. He is the universal Saviour as well. All the chief ideas seen in the first Gospel are present in the genealogy, we may say. For example, the coming of the Messiah, the people of God, the fulfilment of the prophecies, the Son of God, the end of the ages (Christ initiates a new era)-all these are indicated here.

Jesus is presented as the crown of the history of Israel through this genealogy. The purpose of this history is Christ. The genealogy makes it clear that the birth of Christ took place in God’s infinite providence. In the life of each individual, our Saviour God’s mysterious hand is at work. With the advent of Jesus, the eternal light, the former darkness is dispelled and a new era dawns. God loves all without considering their sins, unworthiness, shortcomings or weaknesses and gives them a share in his plan of salvation – this great truth is illustrated by the Evangelists. Jesus, who was born of the family of David, is a King, the King of kings. He must be acknowledged as the king of the whole world and of each individual.