Matthew 1:3 - Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram.
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What does "Matthew 1:3" mean?
This verse is part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ at the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew. Let's break it down:
"Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar": Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (later renamed Israel), and his descendants formed the tribe of Judah, a very important tribe in Jewish history. The verse states that Judah fathered twins, Perez and Zerah, with a woman named Tamar. This is a significant point because the circumstances of their birth are somewhat scandalous:
Tamar was Judah's daughter-in-law. Her first husband, Judah's son Er, died. According to the law of levirate marriage, Judah's second son, Onan, was obligated to marry Tamar and produce an heir for Er. Onan refused to fulfill this obligation, so God killed him. Judah then promised Tamar his youngest son, Shelah, when he was old enough. However, Judah delayed fulfilling this promise.
Tamar, realizing she was being denied her rights, disguised herself as a prostitute and seduced Judah. When she became pregnant, Judah initially condemned her for adultery, but she revealed that he was the father by producing his signet ring, cord, and staff, which he had given her as collateral. Judah acknowledged his fault, saying, "She is more righteous than I." (Genesis 38).
"Perez became the father of Hezron": Perez, born out of this unusual union, is significant because he is the direct ancestor of King David and, according to Matthew, of Jesus Christ.
"Hezron became the father of Ram": This continues the lineage. Hezron is the son of Perez and the father of Ram, continuing the genealogy down the line.
Significance in Matthew's Gospel:
Establishing Jesus's Lineage: The primary purpose of the genealogy is to establish Jesus's legal and ancestral connection to King David and, ultimately, to Abraham. This fulfills Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah would be a descendant of David.
Inclusion of Gentiles and Sinners: The inclusion of Tamar in the genealogy is noteworthy. She was not an Israelite woman and her story is one of deception and scandal. Matthew includes her (and later other women with questionable pasts, like Rahab and Ruth) to show that God's grace extends to everyone, including those who are not traditionally considered "pure" or "righteous." It emphasizes that God can work through flawed people to achieve his purposes. It also has overtones that Jesus came to save sinners.
Royal Lineage: The tribe of Judah was prophesied to be the tribe from which kings would come (Genesis 49:10). Highlighting this lineage is another way of establishing Jesus's claim to the throne of Israel.
In short, this verse is not just a list of names. It's a crucial part of Matthew's argument that Jesus is the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and connecting him to the history of Israel, with the added twist of including figures whose stories challenge conventional notions of purity and righteousness.
Matthew 1:3 - Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram.
What does "Matthew 1:3" mean?
This verse is part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ at the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew. Let's break it down:
"Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar": Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (later renamed Israel), and his descendants formed the tribe of Judah, a very important tribe in Jewish history. The verse states that Judah fathered twins, Perez and Zerah, with a woman named Tamar. This is a significant point because the circumstances of their birth are somewhat scandalous:
Tamar was Judah's daughter-in-law. Her first husband, Judah's son Er, died. According to the law of levirate marriage, Judah's second son, Onan, was obligated to marry Tamar and produce an heir for Er. Onan refused to fulfill this obligation, so God killed him. Judah then promised Tamar his youngest son, Shelah, when he was old enough. However, Judah delayed fulfilling this promise.
Tamar, realizing she was being denied her rights, disguised herself as a prostitute and seduced Judah. When she became pregnant, Judah initially condemned her for adultery, but she revealed that he was the father by producing his signet ring, cord, and staff, which he had given her as collateral. Judah acknowledged his fault, saying, "She is more righteous than I." (Genesis 38).
"Perez became the father of Hezron": Perez, born out of this unusual union, is significant because he is the direct ancestor of King David and, according to Matthew, of Jesus Christ.
"Hezron became the father of Ram": This continues the lineage. Hezron is the son of Perez and the father of Ram, continuing the genealogy down the line.
Significance in Matthew's Gospel:
Establishing Jesus's Lineage: The primary purpose of the genealogy is to establish Jesus's legal and ancestral connection to King David and, ultimately, to Abraham. This fulfills Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah would be a descendant of David.
Inclusion of Gentiles and Sinners: The inclusion of Tamar in the genealogy is noteworthy. She was not an Israelite woman and her story is one of deception and scandal. Matthew includes her (and later other women with questionable pasts, like Rahab and Ruth) to show that God's grace extends to everyone, including those who are not traditionally considered "pure" or "righteous." It emphasizes that God can work through flawed people to achieve his purposes. It also has overtones that Jesus came to save sinners.
Royal Lineage: The tribe of Judah was prophesied to be the tribe from which kings would come (Genesis 49:10). Highlighting this lineage is another way of establishing Jesus's claim to the throne of Israel.
In short, this verse is not just a list of names. It's a crucial part of Matthew's argument that Jesus is the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and connecting him to the history of Israel, with the added twist of including figures whose stories challenge conventional notions of purity and righteousness.