Sadoc, Achim and Eliud Matthew 1:14

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 and Azor”. In chapter one and verse fourteen of his book, Matthew shares the lineage of Jesus through “Sadoc, Achim and Eliud” where we read:

And Azor beget Sadoc; and Sadoc beget Achim; and Achim beget Eliud;

The verse reads, “And Azor beget Sadoc;” Matthew began with the words, “and Azor” which means “helper” “beget Sadoc” or “fathered and engendered Sadoc which means just”. Matthew added “Azor's” son “Sadoc” to Jesus' lineage.

The verse goes on to say, “and Sadoc beget Achim; and Achim beget Eliud;” Matthew continued with the words, “and Sadoc” which means “just” “beget Achim” or “fathered and engendered Achim which means the Lord will establish”; “and Achim” which means “the Lord will establish” “beget Eliud” or “fathered or engendered Eliud which means God his praise or God his majesty”. Matthew continued to share Jesus' genealogical line with “Achim and Eliud” who have names that mean “God will establish” and “God his praise”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we marvel at the meaning of the names of these men who were used by God to bring forth Jesus. God was intentional by having these people be the ones through whom Jesus His Messiah Son would arrive, and with names like “just”, “the Lord will establish” and “God his majesty”, God further demonstrates His willingness for every person to be “saved” and forgiven of their sins by submitting unto Him. May all who read these words consider the meanings of these names and the purposeful God who employed them to bring forth a “Savior”.

Next time Matthew continues Jesus' lineage with “Eleazar, Matthan and Jacob”, 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.