Eleazar, Matthan and Jacob Matthew 1:15

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 as 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”, and he included, “Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judas and his brethren, Phares and Zara of Thamar, Esrom, Aram, Aminadab, Naasson, Salmon, Booz of Rachab, Obed of Ruth and Jesse, David the king, and Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias, Roboam, Abia, Asa, Josaphat, Joram, Ozias, Joatham, Achaz, Ezekias, Manasses, Amon and Josias, Jechonias and his brethren, Salthiel, Zorobabel, Abiud, Eliakim, Azor, Sadoc, Achim and Eliud”. In chapter one and verse fifteen of his book, Matthew shares the lineage of Jesus through “Eleazar, Matthan and Jacob” where we read:

And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

The verse reads, “And Eliud begat Eleazar;” Matthew began with the words, “and Eliud” which means “God his praise or God his majesty” “beget Eleazar” or “fathered and engendered Eleazar which means help of God”. Matthew added “Eleazar” to Jesus' lineage.

The verse goes on to say, “and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;” Matthew continued with the words, “and Eleazar” which means “help of God” “beget Matthan” or “fathered and engendered Matthan which means gift”; “and Matthan” which means “gift” “beget Jacob” or “fathered and engendered Jacob which means heel-catcher or supplanter”. Matthew continued Jesus' ancestral line with “Matthan and Jacob”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we consider the meaning of the names of these men: “God his praise or God his majesty”, “help of God”, “gift” and “heel-catcher or supplanter”. It is almost as though God has implanted within the genealogical line of Jesus His message of “salvation” to man. God desires to be praised and the priority in everyone's life. Jesus as a “gift” from God “helped” man who was as a “supplanter” toward Him. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and Jesus came to “save” people from the penalty for that sin which is death. (Romans 6:23). Even within Jesus' ancestral line God has shown His purpose and drive to bring “salvation” and “everlasting life” to people, and those who are wise shall submit to His purpose today.

Next time Matthew continues Jesus' lineage with “Joseph the husband of Mary”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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