Aminadab, Naason and Salmon Matthew 1:4

Matthew was a Jew, writing specifically to the Jews about a Jew whose name was Jesus. Matthew employs many Old Testament references throughout his book to prove that Jesus is indeed the Messiah for whom the Jewish people awaited. Matthew began his book with the words, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” “Abraham beget Isaac; and Isaac beget Jacob; and Jacob beget Judas and his brethren; And Judas beget Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares beget Esrom; and Esrom beget Aram;” and in chapter one and verse four of his book, Matthew begins to share the lineage of Jesus from “Aminadab, Naason and Salmon” where we read:

And Aram beget Aminadab; and Aminadab beget Naasson; and Naasson beget Salmon;

The verse reads, “And Aram beget Aminadab; and Aminadab beget Naasson;” Matthew began with the words, “and Aram” or “Ram” which means “high” “beget Aminadab” or “fathered and engendered Aminadab whose name means on of the prince's people”; “and Aminadab” or “one of the prince's people” “beget Naasson” which means “fathered and engendered Naasson whose name means enchanter”. Matthew mentioned “Aminadab” and “Naasson” as Jesus' ancestors.

The verse goes on to say, “ and Naasson begat Salmon;” Matthew continued with the words, “and Naasson” which means “enchanter” “beget Salmon” which means “fathered and engendered Salmon whose name means raiment or a garment”. Matthew continued Jesus' ancestral line with “Naasson and Salmon”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we discover interesting meanings to the names mentioned by him. “High” fathered “of the prince's people”, and “of the prince's people” fathered “enchanter” who fathered “raiment or a garment”. There is nothing in particular that stands out about the meanings of these names, however, that may be the reason for them. Regardless of the name of a person, God desires for everyone to be in a personal relationship with His Son Jesus. Though He employed these individuals to be the ancestors of His Son, He wants everyone to yield their lives to Jesus for the “salvation” of their “sinful souls”. God promises “everlasting life” to “whosoever believes in Him” (See John 3:16), and those who are wise shall know that although their names are not within Jesus' lineage, their names may be written in God's “book of life” through a relationship with Jesus.

Next time Matthew continues Jesus' lineage with “Booz of Rachab, Obed of Ruth; and Obed and Jesse”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.