Smoodock's Blog

It doesn’t take a mathematical genius to figure out that Matthew’s numerology isn’t what we would expect. For example, according to Matthew 1:17, there are 14 generations each between Abraham and David (Matthew 1:1-6), between David and the Exile (Matthew 1:7-11) and between the Exile and Christ (Matthew 1:12-16). What we would expect to find is 14 generations + 14 generations + 14 generations = 42 generations. However, when we add everything up, we get only 41 generations, not 42. What is even more disturbing is the fact that Matthew seems to try to force fit the names into a preconceived sum by leaving out names in the genealogical list.

For example, if we compare Matthew chapter one with 1Chronicles chapter three (David’s descendants), we find that Matthew leaves out three kings between Joram and Uzziah, Azariah in the text (1Chronicles 3:11-12; cp. Matthew 1:8). Furthermore, Matthew also skips over Jeconiah’s father, Jehoiakim, and he makes Josiah (grandfather) Jeconiah’s father (Matthew 1:11; cp. 1Corinthians 3:15). What’s all this about? Doesn’t Matthew know how to count?

Three names are skipped between Joram and Uzziah, Azariah in the text (Ahaziah, Joash and Amaziah; 1Chronicles 3:11-12). This is understood from positions 20 and 21 in the chart above. The name, Jehoiakim, son of Josiah (#27 above) is also skipped, and Jeconiah (#28 above) follows Josiah, as though he were his son. Josiah’s three sons: Johanan, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah reigned as kings, but none of these names make it into Matthew’s genealogy. Instead, the royal line continues one generation later, and goes through Jeconiah, Jehoiakim’s son. Why does Matthew skip three generations between numbers 20 & 21 in the chart and three names of one generation between numbers 27 and 28 in the chart?

The answer is quite simple. The prophet, Elijah cursed the progeny of King Ahab of Israel and Jezebel, his wife (1Kings 21:21). Their daughter, Athaliah married Joram, King of Judah (2Chronicles 21:6), so Elijah’s curse of Ahab’s progeny entered into the progeny of David through Joram, because he walked in the ways of his father-in-law, King Ahab of Israel, due to the influence of Athaliah, Joram’s wife and daughter of Ahab.

Therefore, Joram’s first three sons were cursed by God, because they walked in the ways of Ahab, their grandfather. They each met their fate at the hand of the Lord (2Chronicles 22:7; 24:22; 25:20). While it is true that most of the kings of Judah and Israel rebelled against the Lord, these three fell under the curse Elijah had put on Ahab, their grandfather and King of Israel (1Kings 21:21). Therefore, they are left out of the genealogy of Jesus, because they represent a worldview that will not be found in the Kingdom of God under Jesus.

As for the absence of Josiah’s three sons, making the royal line to continue through Jeconiah, the grandson of Josiah, Matthew had a reason for what he did. The book of Deuteronomy was found during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (2Kings 22:8-13). When he read the book, he mourned and fell down before the Lord and repented of the deeds of Judah. He sent the book to the prophetess Huldah for verification. She not only authenticated it as the word of God but cursed those who would rebel against the word written therein, saying the nation would go into captivity, when it was done, but King Josiah would be spared, because of his repentant heart (2Kings 22:14-20). Therefore, although Josiah’s three sons, Johanan, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah reigned as kings over Judah, none come into the genealogy of Jesus who brings in the Kingdom of God, as the restoration of the Davidic kingdom, which these three kings destroyed due to their rebellion against God. All three fell under the curse of the prophetess Huldah, and were, thus, cast out of the royal line that would lead to the Messiah.