How does Matthew 1:14 fit into the genealogy of Jesus Christ? Verse Focus “Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud.” (Matthew 1:14) Placement in Matthew’s Three Fourteen-Generation Groupings - Matthew arranges Jesus’ genealogy in three sets of fourteen names (Matthew 1:17). 1. Abraham → David (vv. 2-6) 2. David → Exile (vv. 6-11) 3. Exile → Messiah (vv. 12-16) - Matthew 1:14 sits in the heart of the third section, linking the post-exilic returnees to Joseph, Jesus’ legal father. - By inserting these otherwise unknown men, the Holy Spirit shows that every generation—recorded or obscure—was essential to carry the royal line forward (cf. Isaiah 55:11). The Four Men Named - Azor (“Helper”): great-great-grandson of Zerubbabel (v. 13), reminding us that God helps His people rebuild after judgment (Haggai 2:23). - Zadok (“Righteous”): name recalls the faithful priest of David’s era (2 Samuel 8:17), underscoring the promise that a righteous Branch would arise (Jeremiah 23:5). - Achim (“My Brother”): hints at covenant family solidarity, echoing Psalm 133:1. - Eliud (“God is My Praise”): anticipates Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), where praise frames the coming of Christ. Post-Exilic Faithfulness on Display - After Babylon, Israel had no throne, yet the royal line quietly continued (cf. Amos 9:11-12). - These names prove God preserved David’s house just as He swore (2 Samuel 7:12-16). - Even when secular history is silent, Scripture records God’s hidden work (Malachi 3:16-17). Bridging to Joseph and to Jesus - Matthew 1:14 leads directly to Eliud’s son Eleazar, then Matthan, Jacob, and finally Joseph (vv. 15-16). - By legal adoption, Joseph passes this lineage to Jesus, fulfilling the title “Son of David” (Matthew 1:1; Romans 1:3-4). - Thus verse 14 is one indispensable link in the unbroken chain authenticating Jesus’ messianic credentials. Takeaways for Today - God values every generation, even those history overlooks. - His promises survive exile, obscurity, and centuries of silence. - Because He guarded the line to Christ, we can trust Him to guard every promise made in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). |
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