VI
THE PROBLEM OF
THE GENEALOGY
OF
JESUS
VI
THE PROBLEM OF
THE GENEALOGY
OF
JESUS
CHAPTER ONE
THE TWO GENEALOGIES
People are often misled by a cursory look on the two
widely, different genealogies of Jesus in the books of
Matthew (1:1-11) and of Luke (3:23-38).
A plain look at these two genealogies will give us the
immediate impression that someone has made a serious
error. If indeed there is an error it will cast
serious doubt on the validity of the author’s
inspiration, message and hence on the validity of the
Bible as a whole. After all, most of us almost stake
our whole life on the truthfulness and reliability of
the Bible as given by God himself. Both these books -
Matthew and John - were written well within the first
century. During this period a large number of
witnesses, who actually walked, talked and known Jesus
as a savior, friend or as an enemy were still alive.
Hence we could very well surmise that there will be no
conflict in these citations. But there is serious
disparity evident.
As in almost all other problems in the biblical
criticism and historic accuracy, an in depth study
will reveal the extreme accuracy to details of the
biblical narratives. It most often turns out that the
attributed error is the accuracy . Some of these
marvelous findings were established by archeologists
as they unearthed new documents and facts. Others were
established merely by studying the Word in detail by
cross references and with a knowledge of the culture
and traditions of the period. Most of our problem
arises out of our ignorance of the people, place and
the times with which we are dealing. Fortunately in
South Sudan, we have a culture which is very much
similar to the Jewish culture. The historical
situation is also very similar to the period of
Judges, Kingdom and to the period of captivity of
Israel and Judah. My earlier studies in the culture of
Kuku and other similar cultures (These studies are
found in the archives of the University of Juba,
Sudan) have established the near identity of South
Sudanese cultures as to that of the Jewish cultures as
though they were fossilized for us.
Bible has been the subject of study by scholars in
science, art and language for over centauries. Every
letter, word and statement was put under scrutiny with
the latest knowledge and tools and discoveries. The
Bible does withstand the severest test. These men were
not Christians, but academicians and they studied the
bible objectively. Christian Theology is a secular
field of study today. We are glad about it as it
opened up new visions of glory through it . No
religion other than Christianity has ever dared to go
anywhere near such a state. (It was Jesus who said
‘Truth shall make you free’) What most opponents of
Christianity do is to borrow what the theologians have
studied as a problem and parade them as though these
have never been noticed. They simply take advantage of
the ignorance of the average man. This particular
study was prompted by such an attempt made by the
opponents of Christian faith in the University of Juba
Campus (1985) So far I have never been able to come
across one single original problem from among the
writers of the opponents of Christian faith. This is
not surprising as they themselves have never taken
time to study the Bible objectively. They were eager
to find fault rather than finding out the truth. Our
God is a God of perfection. When he reveals himself
through history progressively, he does not contradict
himself and he cannot. Hence it is an absolute
necessity that Bible do not contradict within itself.
An earlier revelation may be perfected by a later one,
but it can never be contradicted. It may be a
fulfillment, a perfecting or a new perspective. A God
who contradicts himself is an unreliable God. A
prophet who annuls his earlier revelation is a false
prophet and cannot be relied upon. Bible assigns the
punishment of stoning to death for those prophets.
These are the two genealogies found in the Bible.
Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew
Mat 1:1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the
son of David, the son of Abraham:
Mat 1:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
Mat 1:3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose
mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Mat 1:4 Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Mat 1:5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was
Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
Mat 1:6 and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been
Uriah's wife,
Mat 1:7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
Mat 1:8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
Mat 1:9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
Mat 1:10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
Mat 1:11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his
brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
Genealogy of Jesus According to Luke
Luke 3:23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old
when he began his ministry.
He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,
the son of Heli,
Luke 3:24 the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi,
the son of Melki,
the son of Jannai,
the son of Joseph,
Luke 3:25 the son of Mattathias,
the son of Amos,
the son of Nahum,
the son of Esli,
the son of Naggai,
Luke 3:26 the son of Maath,
the son of Mattathias,
the son of Semein,
the son of Josech,
the son of Joda,
Luke 3:27 the son of Joanan,
the son of Rhesa,
the son of Zerubbabel,
the son of Shealtiel,
the son of Neri,
Luke 3:28 the son of Melki,
the son of Addi,
the son of Cosam,
the son of Elmadam,
the son of Er,
Luke 3:29 the son of Joshua,
the son of Eliezer,
the son of Jorim,
the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi,
Luke 3:30 the son of Simeon,
the son of Judah,
the son of Joseph,
the son of Jonam,
the son of Eliakim,
Luke 3:31 the son of Melea,
the son of Menna,
the son of Mattatha,
the son of Nathan,
the son of David,
Luke 3:32 the son of Jesse,
the son of Obed,
the son of Boaz,
the son of Salmon,
the son of Nahshon,
Luke 3:33 the son of Amminadab,
the son of Ram,
the son of Hezron,
the son of Perez,
the son of Judah,
Luke 3:34 the son of Jacob,
the son of Isaac,
the son of Abraham,
the son of Terah,
the son of Nahor,
Luke 3:35 the son of Serug,
the son of Reu,
the son of Peleg,
the son of Eber,
the son of Shelah,
Luke 3:36 the son of Cainan,
the son of Arphaxad,
the son of Shem,
the son of Noah,
the son of Lamech,
Luke 3:37 the son of Methuselah,
the son of Enoch,
the son of Jared,
the son of Mahalalel,
the son of Kenan,
Luke 3:38 the son of Enosh,
the son of Seth,
the son of Adam,
the son of God.
CHAPTER TWO
MATTHEW'S GENEALOGY TILL CAPTIVITY
Matthew wrote his gospel according to our present day
biblical scholarship at around 50 A.D. Matthew as a
disciple of Jesus and was with him for at least three
years. Matthew is also known as Levi and the occasion
of his meeting with Jesus and how he came to be a
disciple can be found in the following references.
Mat 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man
named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth.
"Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and
followed him.Mat 9:10 While Jesus was having dinner at
Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners"
came and ate with him and his disciples.
Mat 10:2 These are the names of the twelve
apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his
brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother
John;
Mat 10:3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew
the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and
Thaddaeus;
Mat 10:4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who
betrayed him.
Mark 2:14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of
Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow
me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.
Mark 2:15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's
house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating
with him and his disciples, for there were many who
followed him.
Mark 3:16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon
(to whom he gave the name Peter);
Mark 3:17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John
(to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons
of Thunder);
Mark 3:18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus,
Simon the Zealot
Mark 3:19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Luke 5:27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax
collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax
booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him,
Luke 5:28 and Levi got up, left everything and
followed him.
Luke 5:29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus
at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and
others were eating with them.
Luke 6:13 When morning came, he called his
disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he
also designated apostles:
Luke 6:14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother
Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
Luke 6:15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called the Zealot,
Luke 6:16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who
became a traitor.
So we can see that all the three gospels identify
Matthew as one of the disciples. Matthew identifies
himself as the tax collector. (Tax collectors were
outcasts of the Jewish community and were scorned at.
So the other gospel writers omitted this reference)
Matthew who was deeply rooted in the Jewish
traditions, addressed his gospel to the Jews in
dispersion around the world who were looking forward
to a Messiah. He wanted to show that Jesus was indeed
the Messiah as foretold in the scriptures and that he
fulfilled all the rigid criteria that were laid down
by the scriptures for the three fold anointing of
Prophet, Priest and King. Jews were highly conscious
of their origin from Abraham. "We are the children of
Abraham" was the hallmark of the Jewish nation. Hence
Matthew starts off with Abraham and traces the line to
David. Here is the line of fourteen generations from
Abraham to David.
|
Mat 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus
Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Mat 1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and
Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his
brethren;
Mat 1:3 and Judah begat Perez and
Zerah of Tamar; and Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron
begat Ram;
Mat 1:4 and Ram begat Amminadab;
and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat
Salmon;
Mat 1:5 and Salmon begat Boaz of
Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat
Jesse;
Mat 1:6 and Jesse begat David the king. And David
begat fourteen generations; and from David unto
the carrying away to Babylon fourteen generations;
and from the carrying away to Babylon unto the
Christ fourteen generations |
This tallies with the generations given in 1
Chronicles 2
1Ch 2:1 These are the sons of Israel: Reuben,
Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,
1Ch 2:3 The sons of Judah:
1Ch 2:4 And Tamar his daughter-in-law bare him
Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.
1Ch 2:5 The sons of Perez: Hezron, and Hamul.
1Ch 2:9 The sons also of Hezron, that were born
unto him: Jerahmeel, and Ram, and Chelubai.
1Ch 2:10 And Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab
begat Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah;
1Ch 2:11 and Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat
Boaz,
1Ch 2:12 and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat
Jesse;
1Ch 2:13 and Jesse begat his first-born Eliab,
and Abinadab the second, and Shimea the third,
|
Now Matthew gives a block of 14 generations from David
to Captivity. We have these generations enumerated to
us in 1 Chronicles 3:4-5 and 10-18
|
Mat
1:6 and Jesse the father of King David. David was
the father of Solomon, whose mother had been
Uriah's wife,
Mat
1:7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the
father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa,
Mat
1:8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the
father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
Mat
1:9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
Mat
1:10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon
the father of Josiah,
Mat
1:11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his
brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
|
1 Chr 3:4 . David reigned in Jerusalem
thirty-three years,
1 Chr
3:5 and these were the children born to him there:
Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four
were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel.1
Chr
3:10 Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son,
Asa his
son,
Jehoshaphat his son,
1 Chr 3:11 Jehoram his son,
Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
1 Chr
3:12
Amaziah his son,
Azariah his son,
Jotham
his son,
1 Chr
3:13 Ahaz his son,
Hezekiah
his son,
Manasseh his son,
1 Chr 3:14 Amon his son,
Josiah
his son.
1
Chr 3:15 The sons of Josiah: Johanan the
firstborn, Jehoiakim the second son, Zedekiah the
third, Shallum the fourth.
1 Chr
3:16 The successors of Jehoiakim: Jehoiachin his
son, and Zedekiah.
1 Chr
3:17 The descendants of Jehoiachin the captive:. |
Here certainly there are discrepancies. So we need to
do a little bit more research into other parts of the
Bible. From David onwards we have the lineage of Kings
of Judah. So there are secular sources and
archeological evidences available to us. We also can
delve into secular history and give the period of
their reign according to modern historical
assessments. A brief summary of their reign is given
below. The period of reign is only approximate within
10 years either way. The present calculation quoted
below is based on the date of Babylonian captivity
from secular sources. The calculations are made
difficult because of the method of reckoning used by
various countries. But that is not our issue here
|
Here is the Chronicler’s
version:
Solomon B.C 1008 - 967 forty years
2 Sam 12:24 ; 2 Chr 9:30
He reigned for forty years providing the most
glorious days of Judaic Kingdom. Solomon was
however not counted as a man of God comparable
with David. His policies were more diplomatic
which included marrying from other gentile nations
for diplomatic gains.
Rehoboam B.C 967-950 17 years
1 Ki 11:43
2 Chr. 12:1-12 describes his reign. He had a very
prosperous reign. But during his period the
Kingdom was divided .. Read also 1 Ki. 11 and 12
and also 2 Chr. 9-12
Abijah B.C 950-947 3 years
1 Ki 14:1-18; 15:1; 2 Chr. 13:1-2
He is also known as Abia and Abijam
Asa B.C 947-908 41 years
1 Ki. 15:8-24; 1 Chr. 3:10; 2 Chr. 14:15-16 |
|
Jehosaphat B.C 908-883 25 years
2 Ki. 12: 18; 1 Ki. 15:22; 2 Chr. 17-19
Joram B.C 883-875 8 years
1 Ki. 22:50
Also called Jehoram
Ahaziah B.C 875 1 year
2 Ki. 8:25 ; 2 Ki 8-10; 2 Chr. 21-22
Also called Azariah and Jehoahaz
Athalia’s usurpation B.C 875 - 908 6 years
2 Ki. 11:1
Joash B.C 869-829 40 years
2 Ki. 11:2
Called also as Jehoash Saved from his grand mother
by Jehosheba, his aunt. He became wicked after the
priest
Jehoida’s death. He procured peace from King of
Syria in return for temple vessels. Prophecy
against him is found in 2 Chr. 24:19,20
Amaziah B.C 829-800 29 years
1 Ki. 14:1 |
|
Uzziah B.C 829 -800 42 years
He is also known as Azariah
2 Ki. 14-15; 2 Chr. 26
Jotham B.C 758-742 16 years
2 Ki. 15-16; 2 Chr. 27-28
Ahaz B.C 742-726 16 years
2 Ki. 15:38; 2 Ki. 15-16; 2 Chr. 27-28
Hezekiah B.C 726 - 696 29 years
2 Ki. 16:20
Mannaseh B.C 696-642 55 years
2 Ki. 21:11
Amon B.C 642-640 2 years
2 Ki. 21:18
Josiah B.C 640-608 31 years
1 Ki 13:2
Jehoahaz B.C 608 (3 months)
2 Ki. 23:30
He was also called Shallum
Phaoah Nechoh, King of Egypt invaded the Kingdom
and took him captive to Egypt
Jer. 22:10-12 |
|
Jehoiakim, Josiah’s another son ruled for 11 years
B.C 608-597
Jehoiachin, another son of Josiah ruled for 3
months in
B.C 597.
2 Ki. 24:6
He was also called Jeconiah or Coniah He was taken
prisoner by the King of Babylon and was confined
within the Babylonian prison for 34 years.
Read Jer. 52:31-34
Zedekiah also known as Mattaniah, Josiah’s son
ruled for 11 years as a puppet of Babylon. |
Now compare this with Matthews’s genealogy.
|
HISTORY |
MATTHEW |
|
Solomon |
Solomon |
|
Rehoboam |
Rehoboam |
|
Abijah |
Abijah |
|
Asa |
Asa |
|
Jehosaphat |
Jehosaphat |
|
|
Joram |
|
Ahaziah |
xxxxxxxxxxxx |
|
Joash |
xxxxxxxxxxxx |
|
Amaziah |
xxxxxxxxxxxx |
|
Uzziah |
Uzziah |
|
Jotham |
Jotham |
|
Ahaz |
Ahaz |
|
Hezekiah |
Hezekiah |
|
|
|
Mannaseh |
Mannaseh |
|
Amon |
Amon |
|
Josiah |
Josiah |
|
Jeconiah |
Jeconiah |
|
Jehoahaz |
xxxxxxxxxx |
|
Jehoiachim |
xxxxxxxxxx |
|
Zedekiah |
xxxxxxxxxx |
Any one can see that six names are missing from
the official list.
Why did Matthew do that. Was it because he wanted to
keep the list of dynasty into fourteen generations
from Abraham to David and another fourteen generations
from David to Captivity and another fourteen from
Captivity to Jesus? This ruse would not have been
acceptable to any Jew versed in scriptures. Surely
Matthew would not try to do that trick and loose his
credibility. Hence we should look for the reasons
elsewhere which are deep rooted in the Jewish
scriptures and traditions.
Let us look into the first three names.
I.1 Who was Amaziah?
2 Ki 8:25 In the twelfth year of Joram son of Ahab
king of Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah
began to reign.
2 Ki 8:26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he
became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His
mother's name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri
king of Israel.
Athalia was a grand daughter of King Ahab and Queen
Jezebel who needs no special introduction to the Bible
readers. These two names will cause a shudder through
the spine of every Jew, because of their evil acts.
According to Deut 5:9 and Ex. 34:7 and Num 14:18 God
will punish the sins of the fathers upto the fourth
generation.
Deu 5:9 You shall not bow down to them or worship
them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God,
punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to
the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
Thus the sins of Ahab and Jezebel was visited upto the
fourth generation.
Ahab - Ahaziah - Joash - Amaziah - Uzziah
Deu 5:1 Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear,
O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your
hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.
Deu 5:2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us
at Horeb.
Deu 5:6 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you
out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Deu 5:7 "You shall have no other gods before me.
Deu 5:8 "You shall not make for yourself an idol
in the form of anything in heaven above or on the
earth beneath or in the waters below.
Deu 5:9 You shall not bow down to them or worship
them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God,
punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to
the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
Deu 5:10 but showing love to a thousand
generations of those who love me and keep my
commandments.
Deu 5:11 "You shall not misuse the name of the
LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone
guiltless who misuses his name.
In Ex 34 we read
Exo 34:6 And he passed in front of Moses,
proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate
and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and
faithfulness,
Exo 34:7 maintaining love to thousands, and
forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does
not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the
children and their children for the sin of the fathers
to the third and fourth generation."
Again in Numbers 14 we read this proclamation of the
passing Lord before Moses:
Num 14:18 'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in
love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not
leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children
for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth
generation.'
Thus because of the great iniquities of Ahab and
Jezebel, the punishment was carried over through
Athalia in unabated form. In the eyes of God these
four generations were counted unworthy of the throne
of David.
I.2 Coniah’s Curse
Now we turn to the last of the Kings of Judah who were
deleted from the dynasty.
2 Chr 36:9 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when
he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three
months and ten days. He did evil in the eyes of the
LORD.
2 Chr 36:10 In the spring, King Nebuchadnezzar
sent for him and brought him to Babylon, together with
articles of value from the temple of the LORD, and he
made Jehoiachin's uncle, Zedekiah, king over Judah and
Jerusalem.
There is a slight problem here with regard to the age
at which Jehoiachin started to reign. While 2 Chr.
36:9 quotes it as eight, 2 Ki. 24:8 puts it as
eighteen.
2 Ki 24:8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when
he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three
months. His mother's name was Nehushta daughter of
Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem.
This is probably because of the inability to
distinguish the slight variation of numbers 8 and 18
in the original. eighteen could have been more
probable because he must have been married by then
since 2 Ki. 24:15 mentions the king’s wives
specifically. But he did not have any children at that
time as they are not mentioned in the list of
captives. He was probably impotent. Or was he 8 and
had early marriage? This is unlikely as child marriage
was unknown among the Jews.
So modern scholarship translates it as eighteen.
The prophecy against Jeconiah (Coniah) can be found in
Jeremiah 22:24-30
Jer 22:24 "As surely as I live," declares the
LORD, "even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king
of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would
still pull you off.
Jer 22:25 I will hand you over to those who seek
your life, those you fear--to Nebuchadnezzar king of
Babylon and to the Babylonians.
Jer 22:26 I will hurl you and the mother who gave
you birth into another country, where neither of you
was born, and there you both will die.
Jer 22:27 You will never come back to the land you
long to return to."
Jer 22:28 Is this man Jehoiachin a despised,
broken pot, an object no one wants? Why will he and
his children be hurled out, cast into a land they do
not know?
Jer 22:29 O land, land, land, hear the word of the
LORD!
Jer 22:30 This is what the LORD says: "Record this
man as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his
lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none
will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in
Judah."
Evidently Jesus could not be born in the lineage which
was cut off by the Lord and be the King in the line of
David. The lineage and Royal line ended with Jeconiah.
The eighteen ( or is it eight? The documents are
unclear here) year old Jeconiah was carried away to
Babylon by Nebucdnezzar and put in the dungeon of
Babylon.
2 Ki 24:15 Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive
to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the
king's mother, his wives, his officials and the
leading men of the land.
See also 2 Chr. 36:10; Est. 2:6; Jer. 21:20
He was in the prison for 37 years
2 Ki 25:27 In the thirty-seventh year of the exile
of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Evil-Merodach
became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin from
prison on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month.
2 Ki 25:28 He spoke kindly to him and gave him a
seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who
were with him in Babylon.
2 Ki 25:29 So Jehoiachin put aside his prison
clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at
the king's table.
2 Ki 25:30 Day by day the king gave Jehoiachin a
regular allowance as long as he lived.
At the end of this 37 years i.e. at the age probably
of 55 years (or 45) he was released from the prison by
Evil Merodach. We notice that Jehoiachin was in the
dungeon all the days of his youth and came out at a
very old age. He could not have had any children at
least until 45, till he came out of the dungeons of
Babylon. Yet we have a number of sons mentioned in
Chronicles
1 Chr 3:16 The successors of Jehoiakim: Jehoiachin
his son, and Zedekiah.
1 Chr 3:17 The descendants of Jehoiachin the
captive: Shealtiel his son,
1 Chr 3:18 Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah,
Hoshama and Nedabiah.
How come this?
In order to understand this we need to look into the
Jewish arrangement of maintaining the name of a family
through levirate custom.
I.3 The Levirate Marriage System
The levirate system was a normal practice in most
tribes and cultures from ancient times. The specific
commandment for this is found in Deuteronomy.
Deu 25:5 If brothers are living together and one
of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry
outside the family. Her husband's brother shall take
her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a
brother-in-law to her.
Deu 25:6 The first son she bears shall carry on
the name of the dead brother so that his name will not
be blotted out from Israel.
This
was not a new law. Lord confirmed and accepted the
local practice in this regard and validated it. The
fact that this custom was prevalent can be found in
the case of Judah’s son in Gen 38:8,11.
Gen 38:8 Then Judah said to Onan, "Lie with your
brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a
brother-in-law to produce offspring for your brother."
Gen 38:9 But Onan knew that the offspring would
not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's
wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from
producing offspring for his brother.
Gen 38:10 What he did was wicked in the Lord's
sight; so he put him to death also.
Gen 38:11 Judah then said to his daughter-in-law
Tamar, "Live as a widow in your father's house until
my son Shelah grows up." For he thought, "He may die
too, just like his brothers." So Tamar went to live in
her father's house.
The concept of brother in this context does not
necessarily be interpreted only as direct brother.
From this comes the concept of Kinsman redeemer. This
is shown in the story of Ruth (4:3-10) where Boaz is
not the direct brother of Mahlon and Chillion, but a
close relative.
This practice is still found in the Southern Sudan and
other Jewish like cultures. In fact the dead man’s
wife may take the nearest relative or if he refuses
she may take anyone from the family or even from the
tribe. The children born from such relations belong to
her husband in name and in inheritance. These laws
were made in order to protect the rights of the women.
There has to be someone to take care of the widows and
her rights to sexual satisfaction.
In Sudan where polygamy is prevalent, the master of
the house may have several wives, and some of them may
be very young. These young women have their right of
life and this is guaranteed through levirate system.
In some cases the elder son is asked to take his
father’s young widows as wives if the father’s
brothers are old and unfit for sexual relations. This
arrangement also makes sure that the property remains
within the family and will not go out to others. The
system of levirate was a very powerful method of
maintaining the family heritage and property.
Under the circumstances connected with Jeconiah it is
therefore legitimate and reasonable to assume that the
children who are reckoned to be his are children out
of the levirate system. This is to be assumed also on
the basis of Jeremiah’s prophecy . We shall take up
this again when we come to this in Luke’s genealogy.
CHAPTER THREE
LUKE'S GENEALOGY
Luke was a physician, who was widely traveled and well
placed in society. He was probably a doctor who
traveled in the ships. He knew many well placed
aristocrats as is indicated in his addressing of the
gospel and the book "Acts of the Apostles" to the most
excellent Theophilos. Theophilos mentioned here is
considered to be Titus Flavious of Clement of Rome who
was a cousin of Emperor Domitian who ruled from AD 95
onwards. Falvious was the Roman Consul and was later
martyred along with his wife Domitilla for being
Christians. It can therefore be deducted that he had
very high connections. We have no records to show that
he ever met Jesus while Jesus was alive. He was
probably a Jew in dispersion and was a free man of
great wealth.
Luke had a scientific outlook, which is to be expected
from a physician. He has written his books after
serious research into the events as he claims in his
introduction
Luke 1:1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account
of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
Luke 1:2 just as they were handed down to us by
those who from the first were eyewitnesses and
servants of the word.
Luke 1:3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully
investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed
good also to me to write an orderly account for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
Luke 1:4 so that you may know the certainty of the
things you have been taught.
He had known and read all the existing documents on
the life of Jesus which were written by people who had
seen and heard and lived with Jesus. Luke accordingly
may not be considered as an eyewitness. But he had
taken the pains to do extensive research in the life
of Jesus before embarking upon the venture. The gospel
itself clearly exemplifies this claim. Many of the
personal stories of Mary, Joseph, disciples, women and
other gentile people are given in greater depth and
detail in Luke.
Why did Luke take up the writing, since there were an
abundance of such documents. The reason is also given
in the introduction so that you may know the certainty
of things you have been taught." Earlier documents
were written by eyewitnesses as personal anecdotes and
memoirs and were not comprehensive enough to be
presented as a gospel to the gentile world. Others
were all personal documents and were written
essentially by the Jews and for the Jews. Luke was
writing to the gentiles who did not understand the
Jewish traditions and customs. Legalism of the Jews
and the custom of counting the lineage by legal right
whether by levirate marriage or by kinsman-redeemer
marriage or even ghost marriage was not understood by
outsiders. Hence it is natural for him to adopt the
blood relation as the basis of tracing the lineage.
3. 1 ADAM TO ABRAHAM
In tracing the lineage, he traces the lineage back to
Adam and to God.
Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
Luke 3:35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the
son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,
Luke 3:36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the
son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
Luke 3:37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,
the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of
Kenan,
Luke 3:38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son
of Adam, the son of God.
Notice that Adam was the son of God. It is this
right that Adam lost when he fell from grace. Jesus
came to redeem Adamic race to its original grace and
glory. The blood that runs, runs right through Adam to
Abraham in accordance with the Old Testament
patriarchal line.
1 Chr 1:1 Adam, Seth, Enosh,
1 Chr 1:2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,
1 Chr 1:3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah.
1 Chr 1:4 The sons of Noah: Shem, Ham and Japheth.
1 Chr 1:24 Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,
1 Chr 1:25 Eber, Peleg, Reu,
1 Chr 1:26 Serug, Nahor, Terah
1 Chr 1:27 and Abram (that is, Abraham).
|
OLD TESTAMENT
LINEAGE |
LUKE’S LINEAGE |
|
God |
God |
|
Adam |
Adam |
|
Seth |
Seth |
|
Enosh |
Enosh |
|
Kenan |
Kenan |
|
Mahalalel |
Mahalalel |
|
Jared |
Jared |
|
Enoch |
Enoch |
|
Methuselah |
Methuselah |
|
Lamech |
Lamech |
|
Noah |
Noah |
|
Shem |
Shem |
|
Arphaxad |
Arphaxad |
|
xxxxxxxxxxxxx |
Cainan |
|
Shelah |
Shelah |
|
Eber |
Eber |
|
Peleg |
Peleg |
|
Reu |
Reu |
|
Serug |
Serug |
|
Nahor |
Nahor |
|
Terah |
Terah |
|
Abraham |
Abraham |
We
notice that one name is missing in the Old Testament
series which is found in Luke’s genealogy. Cainan is
the son of Arphaxad and Shelah is the son of Cainan
according to Luke; while in the Chronicle this name is
not found. However in Hebrew traditional lineage this
name can be found. It is found in the Septuagint
Version. Why was this name not in our Bible and found
in Septuagint and tradition. Again we have to look
back into Hebrew tradition. If a person died when they
are very young before they have a chance to establish
a name for himself, the child born to them will be
known as the child of the living grandfather.
This practice is echoed in the book of Ruth where
Ruth’s son Obed is referred to as the son of Naomi.
Ruth 14:7. If the son of Arphaxad, Cainan died very
young after begetting Shelah, the Jews would refer him
as the son of Arphaxad and not as the son of Cainan.
Cainan will not be practically referred to in any
legal documents, since he died before he established
himself and legally took possession of the properties
and rights as a son. But this will not be acceptable
to the gentile world where actual parenthood is always
counted. Thus it is interesting that Luke brings his
name into the line.
3.2 ABRAHAM TO DAVID
Luke
3:32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of
Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
Luke 3:33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the
son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
Luke 3:34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son
of Abraham.
Mat 1:1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ
the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Mat 1:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the
father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his
brothers,
Mat 1:3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose
mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron
the father of Ram,
Mat 1:4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the
father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Mat 1:5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother
was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was
Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,
Mat 1:6 and Jesse the father of King David.
Here both Matthew’s lineage coincides with that of
Luke’s.
3.3 DAVID TO JESUS
3.3.1 Matthew’s Royal Line
However the line branches off after David. Matthew
traces the royal line through Solomon to Joseph.
Joseph is the legal heir to the throne of David and as
the legal son according to levirate or ghost marriage
custom Jesus is the King of the Jews. Thus when Jesus
claimed that he is the King of the Jews he was the
rightful King in the line of David. Since Jesus is
still alive Jesus is the rightful KING OF THE JEWS.
Through believing in Jesus so are the believers.
John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those
who believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God--
John 1:13 children born not of natural descent, nor of
human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
1 Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal
priesthood
So the declaration of the wisemen were exactly right.
Mat 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,
during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came
to Jerusalem
Mat 2:2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born
king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have
come to worship him."
Mat 2:3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Mat 27:11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the
governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the
king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus
replied.
Mat 27:28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on
him,
Mat 27:29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns
and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right
hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail,
king of the Jews!" they said.
Mat 27:37 Above his head they placed the written
charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE
JEWS.
Here is the rightful line of David.
Mat 1:6 and Jesse the father of King David. David
was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been
Uriah's wife,
Mat 1:7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the
father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa,
Mat 1:8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the
father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
Mat 1:9 Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father
of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
Mat 1:10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the
father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,
Mat 1:11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his
brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
Mat 1:12 After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the
father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of
Zerubbabel,
Mat 1:13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the
father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor,
Mat 1:14 Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of
Akim, Akim the father of Eliud,
Mat 1:15 Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the
father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,
Mat 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband
of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
3.3.2 Luke’s Blood Line
Luke
on the other hand traces the blood line through
another son of David viz. Nathan. While Solomon was
the heir to the throne, Nathan was the spiritual heir
to David.
2 Sam 5:13 After he left Hebron, David took more
concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and
daughters were born to him.
2 Sam 5:14 These are the names of the children
born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
1
Chr 3:5 and these were the children born to him there:
Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were
by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel.
Luke goes on to trace this line until captivity to
Neri thus in backwards:
Neri,
Luke 3:28 the son of Melki, the son of Addi, the
son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,
Luke 3:29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,
the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,
Luke 3:30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the
son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,
Luke 3:31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the
son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
There is no problem in this line.
3.4 Period of Captivity
As we come to captivity, the social conditions were in
turmoil as far as the Jewish people were concerned.
Judah was taken into captivity by the Babylonian
Empire under Nebuchadnezzar. The temple was destroyed
and its bronze and silver and gold were taken away.
Its royalty were made captive and taken as slaves.
King Jeconiah was put in prison. Many were put to
death and only the poor remained in the land.
2 Ki 24:13 As the LORD had
declared, Nebuchadnezzar removed all the treasures
from the temple of the LORD and from the royal palace,
and took away all the gold articles that Solomon king
of Israel had made for the temple of the LORD.
2 Ki 24:14 He carried into exile all Jerusalem:
all the officers and fighting men, and all the
craftsmen and artisans--a total of ten thousand. Only
the poorest people of the land were left.
The story of Judah restarts in Babylonian country
side, among the prison cells and among the slave
dwellings. The Jews clung to their great traditions
and struggled to maintain the heritage and family
names. As a result they had to resort to levirate
customs, kinsman redeemer customs and to Zelophahad
customs (We shall deal with these as it comes) .
Without these it was impossible to continue the family
unbroken. There were few men left with vast number of
women who were mostly widows or separated from
husbands. It is with this in mind that we should
approach the lineage problems and we will see how
beautifully it will fall in place.
Here is the structure as it appears in Luke:
Luke 3:23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years
old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it
was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,
Luke 3:24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son
of Melki, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
Luke 3:25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the
son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,
Luke 3:26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the
son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda,
Luke 3:27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son
of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri.
Here is how it appears in Matthew:
Mat 1:11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his
brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon
Mat 1:12 After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the
father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of
Zerubbabel,
Mat 1:13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the
father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor,
Mat 1:14 Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of
Akim, Akim the father of Eliud,
Mat 1:15 Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the
father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,
Mat 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband
of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
3.4.1 Jeconiah, Neri and Shaelthiel
Matthew gives the name of Shealthiel as the son of
Jeconiah while Luke gives the name as Neri. Both give
the name of Zerubabel as the son of Shealthiel. So we
cannot put them as two distinct Shealthiels and
Zerubabel. That will be pushing the matter too much
However the problem is solved with the assumption of
levirate custom.
Jeconiah was carried away as a prisoner and his queen
was also taken as captive. But it is unlikely that she
was put in prison with the King. Women were never
considered important enough to be put in prison and
that would have been considered improper Babylonian
culture. It is therefore normal to expect her to
follow the levirate custom as the King was in the
Babylonian prison and unable to procreate and keep his
name in the tribe. There was no knowing whether he
would ever come out of the prison alive. But he did
after 37 years. I would place him at 55 years old when
he was released. So it is quite reasonable to assume
that Neri took the Queen and begat children for
Jeconiah. Neri was of the same tribe and family of
David and therefore the Kinsman of Jeconiah.
3.4.2 Shealthiel, Pediah and Zerubabel
However the problem does not end there. 1 Chronicle
gives the house of David as follows:
1 Chr 3:17 The descendants of Jehoiachin the
captive: Shealtiel his son,
1 Chr 3:18 Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah,
Hoshama and Nedabiah.
1 Chr 3:19 The sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei.
The sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah.
Shelomith was their sister.
1 Chr 3:20 There were also five others: Hashubah, Ohel,
Berekiah, Hasadiah and Jushab-Hesed.
The family according to this list is as follows:
Jeconiah- Pediah-Zerubabel-
Accordingly Shealthiel did not have a son called
Zerubabel. Zerubabel was the son of Pediah one of
Shealthiel’s brother named Pediah.
But the names of Abiud and Rhesa are not there. Here
again the same situation exists. While both Matthew
and Luke put Shealthiel as the father of Zerubabel,
Chronicler puts Pediah as the father of Zerubabel.
Pediah is one of the brothers of Shealthiel. The
conclusion is very clear. Pediah died without children
probably very early and Shealthiel his brother went
into his wife to provide children for him. Thus
chronicler, being a legal man follows the Pediah line
(legal son), while Zerubabel was actually the son of
Shealthiel. Luke following the blood line follows
Zerubabel to Shealthiel. Matthew following the Royal
line also accepts Shealthiel because Shealthiel as the
older brother (first born) was the legal heir to the
throne of David. Prince Shealthiel was a towering
figure in the period of captivity and Shealthiel the
next in line who became the governor of Judah and was
universally accepted as the son of Shealthiel. For
references to Shealthiel (also called Salathiel)
please read 1 Chr. 3:17; Ezra 3:2,8; Neh. 12:11 ; Hag.
1:1,12,14; 2:2,23.
for references to Zerubbabel (also called Sheshbazzar
by the Babylonians with alias Zorobabel) please read
Ezra 1-5; Hag. 1:12-14; Neh 12
Jehoiakim
|
Jeconiah (Jehoachin, coniah)
|
Machiram ==== Shenazar
||
Shealthiel === Pediah
Jekamiah
||
Zerubabel
|
Five Sons of Zerubabel
Table 21
The missing names are
not much of a problem because in those days people had
several names and these names must have been aliases
of the children of Zerubabel. Abiud and Rhesa must
have been for all practical reasons the two sons from
among the five. These names however do not appear as
such anywhere else and we have therefore no way of
confirming the assumption.
3.4.3 The Zelophehad custom: Joseph, Heli and Mary
Again when we reach the pinnacle of the tree, Luke
claims that Joseph is the son of Heli while Matthew
puts Joseph as the son of Jacob. Here we have to call
for another adoption custom which is widely practiced
all over the world. In this custom if a family had no
male offspring to provide a lineage, one of the
husbands of the girls may be adopted to the heir of
the family. They will then be legal heir to the family
titles. Mary being the only daughter of Heli, had
adopted Joseph according to the law of Zelophahad.
This mode of marriage is confirmed by God during the
division of Palestine by Moses.
Num 27:1 The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher,
the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of
Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of
Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah,
Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. They approached
Num 27:2 the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and stood
before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the
whole assembly, and said,
Num 27:3 "Our father died in the desert. He was not
among Korah's followers, who banded together against
the LORD, but he died for his own sin and left no
sons.
Num 27:4 Why should our father's name disappear from
his clan because he had no son? Give us property among
our father's relatives."
Num 27:5 So Moses brought their case before the LORD
Num 27:6 and the LORD said to him,
Num 27:7 "What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is
right. You must certainly give them property as an
inheritance among their father's relatives and turn
their father's inheritance over to them.
Num 27:8 "Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and
leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his
daughter.
Num 36:6 This is what the LORD commands for
Zelophehad's daughters: They may marry anyone they
please as long as they marry within the tribal clan of
their father.
Joseph being the family of Judah and of David was
therefore adopted in accordance with the law. Hence
though Heli was the father of Mary, Joseph the son of
Jacob became the son of Heli by adoption.
CHAPTER FOUR
FOUR WOMEN
In the
GENEALOGY OF JESUS
4.1 MATTHEW’S FOUR WOMEN
It is interesting to note that Matthew deviates from
the tradition to mention four women in the genealogy
of Jesus.
Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bethsheba.
Tamar is known for her pluckiness to push her
father-in-law into lying with her as he did not follow
the normal levirate right of hers by giving the
younger brother as her husband at the death of he
husband.
Rehab was prostitute by profession, who put her lot
with the Israel. In the modern terminology she was a
traitor and a whore.
Ruth was a Moabitess, and tradition says that she was
the high priestess of Ashterah temple, which included
sexual orgies and mass prostitution.
Bethsheba was an adulteress. Matthew emphasizes this
by referring her as the wife of Uriah, the Hittite.
Bethsheba might have been an Israelite, but most
probably a Hittite herself.
Why did Matthew refer to these ill reputed non-jewish
women? It is only to emphasize that Jesus was not born
in a line of saints or sinless people. Matthew
emphasizes the fact that Jesus was the son of Eve who
was fallen. He was to be born of Eve to be the savior
of mankind. To the serpent God said,
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the
woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will
crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
Salvation does not come by works of righteousness.
Righteousness is a gift of God and comes by faith
alone. It also has the significance that Jesus was not
a pure Jew. He was born with the blood of all nations,
borrowed from around the world. Jesus belongs to the
world.
Rom 4:16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so
that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all
Abraham's offspring--not only to those who are of the
law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham.
He is the father of us all.
Rom 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified
by faith apart from observing the law.
Rom 3:29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not
the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
Rom 3:30 since there is only one God, who will
justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised
through that same faith.
The next chart will give a little more detailed
analysis with approximate dates. CE is the year from
the date of creation a Biblical Chronology which I
have worked out. The modern calendar year marked BC
(Before Christ) is the approximate year as calculated
by chronologists and archeologists and is taken from
Unger's Bible Dictionary. Since they are calculated by
different techniques they may not exactly tally with
the Biblical Chronology. But generally they do concur.
As we can see the problem which is normally insoluble
is easily understood, once we become familiar with the
culture of the country.
The whole study reveals the magnificent fulfillment to
the letter of the prophecy of Isaiah:
Isa 11:1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
[ The royal line became a stump, cut out with Jeconiah}
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
[ A branch from the root itself through Nathan joined
together with the stump through levirate and
Zelophahad customs]
Isa 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him--
Jesus the Christ.
O the wonder of the Word of God!
GOD
ADAM
FALL OF ADAM - 0 (CREATION ERA)
SETH 130 CE
ENOS 235 CE
CAINAN 325 CE
MAHALEEL 395 CE
JARED 460 CE
ENOCH 622 CE
METHUSELAH 687 CE
LAMECH 874 CE
NOAH
1056 CE
SHEM
ARPHAXAD
CAINAN
SHELAH
EBER
PELEG
REU
SERUG
NAHOR
TERAH
ABRAHAM
born at Ur 2008 CE
2160 BC
Entry into Cannan
2086 CE
Patriarchal Period 2086
– 1871 BC
ISSAC 2108 CE
JACOB 2168 CE
JUDAH
(WITH TAMAR HIS
DAUGHTER IN LAW)
PEREZ
HEZRON
(EXODUS 1529 BC)
RAM
AMINNADAB
NAHSHON
SALMON
(WITH REHAB THE
HARLOT)
BOAZ
(WITH
RUTH)
1100 BC
OBED
JESSE
DAVID
(WITH
BETHSHEBA)
1004 – 965 BC 3103 CE
<<<<<<<<<branches>>>>>>>>
SOLOMON NATHAN
965-926 BC
MATTHATHAT
REHOBOAM
926 – 910
BC
MENUA
ABIJAH
910-908 BC
MELEA
ASA
908-872
BC
JEHOSAPHAT
872-852 BC
ELIAKIM
JORAM
852-845 BC
JORAM
AHAZIAH
845-844 BC
JOSEPH
JOASH
839-800 BC
JUDAH
AMAZIAH
800-785 BC
SIMEON
UZZIAH
785-747 BC
LEVI
JOOTHAM
758-743 BC
METHAT
AHAZ
742-725 BC
JORIN
HEZEKIAH
725-697 BC
ELIEZAR
MANNASEH
696-642 BC
JOSHUA
AMON
641-640 BC
ER
JOSIAH
639-609 BC
ELMADAM
COSAM
ADDI
MELCHI
JECONIAH
NERI
Fall of Jerusalem
587 BC 3528 CE
Levirate marriage
SHEALTHIEL
==============
Levirate marriage
==============
ZERUBABBABEL
====================================
(return of Judah under zerubbabel 536 BC 3589 CE)
====================================
ABIUD
RHESA
ELIAKIM
JOANAN
AZOR
----------------------
Historical Note
Maccabean
Revolt 167 BC
Juda Maccabacus 166 - 160 BC
Jonathan 160 – 142 BC
Simon 142 – 134
John Hyrcanus 134 – 104 BC
Aristobulus II 66-63
Rome Assumes control 63
BC
--------------------------
JODA
ZADOK
JOSECH
ACHIM
SEMEIN
MATTHATHIAS
MAATH
ELIUD
NAGGAI
ESLI
NAHUM
ELEAZAR
AMOS
MATHATHIAS
MATTHAN
JOSEPH
JANNAI
JACOB
MELCHI
LEVI
MATTHAT
HELI
JOSEPH
Num. 36:8-9
MARY
=============
Zelophahad Adoption
============
JESUS
