Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 1:4

"and Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat Salmon;" — Matthew 1:4 (ASV)

Matthew’s chief aims in including the genealogy are hinted at in the first verse—namely, to show that Jesus Messiah is truly in the kingly line of David, heir to the messianic promises, the one who brings divine blessings to all nations. Therefore the genealogy focuses on King David (1:6) on the one hand, yet on the other hand includes Gentile women. Many entries would touch the hearts and stir the memories of biblically literate readers, though the principal thrust of Matthew’s genealogy ties together promise and fulfillment.

The names in the first two-thirds of the genealogy are taken from the LXX (1 Chronicles 1–3, esp. 2:1–15; 3:5–24; cf. Ruth 4:12–22). After Zerubbabel, Matthew relies on extrabiblical sources of which we know nothing. But there is good evidence that records were kept at least till the end of the first century.

More difficult is the question of the relation of Matthew’s genealogy to Luke’s, in particular the part from David on (for a description of the differences between Mt 1:2–17 and Lk 3:23-31, as well as attempts at a solution, see comments on Lk 3:23–38).

Probably Perez and Zerah (v.3) are both mentioned because they are twins (Genesis 38:27). Tamar, wife of Judah’s son Er, is the first of four women mentioned in the genealogy (see comment on v.6). Little is known of the next five names in the genealogy. Amminadab is associated with the desert wanderings in the time of Moses (Numbers 1:7). Therefore approximately four hundred years (Genesis 15:13; Exodus 12:40) are covered by the four generations from Perez to Amminadab. Doubtless several names have been omitted: the Greek verb translated “was the father of” (GK 1164) does not require immediate relationship but often means “was the ancestor of.” Similarly, the line between Amminadab and David is short: more names may have been omitted. For example, it is almost certain that the Rahab mentioned is the prostitute of Jos 2 and 5 (see comments on next verse) and was certainly not the biological mother of Boaz (see Ru 4:12, 18–22).