How does 1 Chronicles 3:12 fit into the genealogy of Jesus Christ? The verse in focus 1 Chronicles 3:12: “Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, and Jotham his son.” Where the verse sits in David’s royal line • David • Solomon • Rehoboam • Abijah • Asa • Jehoshaphat • Joram • Ahaziah • Joash • Amaziah – named in 1 Chron 3:12 • Azariah (also called Uzziah, 2 Kings 15:13) – named in 1 Chron 3:12 • Jotham – named in 1 Chron 3:12 • Ahaz • Hezekiah • Manasseh • Amon • Josiah • Jeconiah and the exilic line (1 Chron 3:16–17) This uninterrupted succession preserves God’s covenant promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). How the names appear in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus Matthew 1:8-9 reads: “Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham.” • “Uzziah” in Matthew is the same person called “Azariah” in 1 Chron 3:12. • Amaziah is omitted in Matthew for literary symmetry, but he is implicitly included because Uzziah (Azariah) is his son. • Jotham moves the line forward exactly as Chronicles records. Tracing the line from Jotham to Christ Jotham → Ahaz → Hezekiah → Manasseh → Amon → Josiah → Jeconiah → Shealtiel → Zerubbabel → … → Joseph → Jesus (Matthew 1:9-16; Luke 3:23-27). Thus 1 Chron 3:12 occupies the central portion of the royal chain that ultimately reaches the Messiah. Why 1 Chronicles 3:12 matters • Affirms God’s faithfulness: every name confirms the promise that a descendant of David would sit on the throne forever (Psalm 89:3-4). • Bridges Old and New Testaments: shows the historical roots behind the opening verses of Matthew. • Strengthens Messianic credentials: Jesus legally inherits the throne through this documented lineage (Luke 1:32-33). • Demonstrates Scripture’s unity: Chronicles, Kings, and Matthew agree on the essential line, even when individual names are telescoped for structure. Key takeaways for study • The verse is more than a list; it secures the royal legitimacy of Jesus. • Name variations (Azariah/Uzziah) reflect common dual naming in the OT yet point to the same historical figure. • Omissions in Matthew do not break the line; they condense it while preserving every generational link required by Jewish law. • God preserved David’s dynasty through times of idolatry, exile, and restoration so that “the fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4) would bring forth Christ. |