The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Joshua Perez

1/15/2025

The genealogy of Yeshua has been a topic of debate in the Christian world for over 1500 years due to the apparent contradiction between Matthew and Luke's record of Joseph's lineage (Yeshua's father). In this article I hope to harmonize both records to display that Yeshua truly is the son of David, the son of Abraham. 

The Virgin Birth

One of the first things that adds confusion to Yeshua's lineage is the belief in the virgin birth, which would mean he had no earthly father. Tribal lineage, priestly descent, and inheritance of kingship are all passed down paternally (through the father) [1]; which presents a major issue for Yeshua's claim to the throne of David if he had no earthly father. However, the belief that Mary being a "virgin" means that Joseph cannot be the biological father of Yeshua is a western understanding of the word. In Jewish culture, there is a difference between our modern definition of virgin, and a hallachic virgin. Several early Jewish-Christian sects in fact rejected the virgin birth, such as the Ebionites. This article will be predicated upon the understanding that Joseph is the biological father of Yeshua, setting the frame for properly understanding Matthew and Luke's record of his lineage. (For an in-depth overview of the "virgin birth" narrative, please see the article titled "The Virgin Birth of Jesus?" written by AltarnateMedia)

Matthew's Genealogy 

The Son of David

Matthew begins his gospel presenting the lineage of Yeshua, who he titles:

"The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1 NASB)

If Yeshua is not a legitimate son of David, then he can not be the Messiah, or an heir to the throne. The title "Son of David" in Jewish writings was the reserved title for the Davidic king who would come forth bringing redemption to the nation of Israel [2]. God specifically promised to David that he would never fail to have a man to sit before him on the throne:

"Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever." (2 Samuel 7:16 NASB)

However, during the Babylonian exile, Judah and their final king (Zedekiah) were carried off into captivity leaving the throne presumably empty [3]. And upon their return from exile, no legitimate Davidic King was anointed. Herod desperately wanted to be king of Israel, and was even given the title by the Roman Senate [4]. However, Herod not being a descendant of David disqualified him from being an heir to the throne; something which severely angered him. So much so, that it is recorded that Herod tried to destroy all of the genealogical records of the Jewish people to draw attention away from his gentile descent [5]. 

 The Jews waited in anticipation for the true "Son of David" who would redeem them, and deliver them from the hand of the Roman Empire. Ultimately bringing us back to Matthew's introduction:

"The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David"

Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of the promise made to David all those years ago. 

14 Generations

Matthew lists the genealogy of Jesus in three sets of 14 generations.

"So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations" (Matthew 1:17 NASB)

What is the significance of the 14 generations? The answers lies in an ancient rabbinic interpretation of Hebrew, gematria. Gematria assigns a numerical value to each of the 22 Hebrew letters, and by adding up the numbers of each respective character that makes up a word, you can unlock certain mysteries. The name "David" in Hebrew is (דָּוִד), spelt Dalet, Vav, Dalet. The Dalet has a numerical value of 4, and the Vav has a numerical value of 6. Four, plus six, plus four, equals 14. Matthew is once again trying to point us back to David in his genealogy, he does not want us to forget that Yeshua is the promised Messiah from the lineage of David. 

First Set of 14

Matthew  begins:

"2. Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers 3. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram 4. Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon 5. Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse 6. Jesse was the father of David the king (end of the 1st set of 14 generations), David was the father of Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah (Bathsheba)(Matthew 1:2-6)

Women in the Genealogy? 

In Matthew's first set of 14 generations, as well as the beginning of the second, it is notable that he includes and or mentions four women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba). 

According to tradition Tamar was a daughter of Shem (Melchizedek) [6], leading to a child (Perez) with a paternal Judahite lineage, and a maternal priestly lineage. This serves as a shadow for Yeshua who was a son of Judah, who serves as high priest in the order of Melchizedek [7]. 

Rahab is traditionally believed to have converted to Judaism so she could marry Joshua [8], and there is no tradition outside of Matthew that records her and Salmon having a son. It is possible that Matthew was aware of a tradition that recorded Salmon marrying one of her un-named daughters. Allowing him to simply reference her using the name of her mother. 

Ruth is believed to have been a Moabite, daughter of the Moabite King Eglon [9], who converted to Judaism [10] so she could marry Boaz. Her conversion based on her profession of faith is one of most prominent examples of gentiles being able to take hold of the covenant of God. 

Bathsheba was the women who "was the wife of Uriah" [11]. She had an affair with King David, and officially married him after Uriah was killed due to David sending him to the front lines in battle. Mathew certainly wants us to understand this story, as he refrains from calling her by actual name. He refers to her as the previous wife of Uriah.

There are two main reasons why Matthew may have included the names of several women in the genealogy of Yeshua. First, it is fairly common to name certain foremothers in the records of Jewish kings [12]. Second, one of the things most of these women have in common is their gentile origin. Most of them are converts to Judaism, and there is no issue with them being in the bloodline of the Jewish Messiah. Matthew may have done this to foreshadow the inclusion of gentiles that would come in Messiah [13]. 

Second Set of 14

"6b David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa. 8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah became the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon." (Matthew 1:6b-11)

Messiah from Solomon

The throne and rulership of Israel was given to David, however after the birth of Solomon, this promise is said to continue exclusively through him and not through any of his other sons [14].

"Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side, for his name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever." (1 Chronicles 22:9-10)

Missing Kings?

Matthew omits the names of several kings in his second set of 14 generations. He states Joram is the father of Azariah, however, he actually is his great-great grandfather. Ahaziah [15], Joash [16], and Amaziah (his actual father) [17] were omitted entirely. This is likely due to the fact that they were incomplete generations. Ahaziah died shortly after he started reigning [18], Joash became king as a child [19] , and Amaziah was murdered shortly after his reign began similarly to Ahaziah [20].

Matthew also omits the name of Jehoiakim, the father of Jeconiah [21]. Josiah is technically the grandfather of Jeconiah, yet Matthew skips a generation and says he is the father of Jeconiah. Similarly to the other kings Matthew omitted, Jehoiakim's reign was cut short due to being killed after his rebellion against Babylon [22].

It is fairly common to omit certain generations when giving genealogy, especially when a certain forefather is more renowned. For example, Ezra refers to Zechariah the prophet as the son of Iddo [23], however Zechariah 1:1 states:

"..the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying"

Zechariah's father Berechiah was omitted when being named in Ezra, likely due to the fact that Iddo is a much more prominent figure. Iddo was a famous prophet, who was also one of the priests who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel [24]. Matthew is simply employing this common feature of Jewish genealogy to maintain his 14 generation count. Not every generation is listed, but every generation listed is counted. 

The Curse of Jeconiah

As previously mentioned, Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim (who Matthew does list) is in the lineage of Yeshua. However, this could present a major due to the fact that Jeconiah and his sons were cursed, said to never rule again on the throne of David [25]. 

However, there is good reason to suggest that this curse was reversed through Zerubbabel his later descendant. The language used in the curse is as follows:

‘As I live, declares the Lord, even though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were a signet ring on My right hand, yet I would pull you off; and I will give you over into the hand of those who are seeking your life, yes, into the hand of those whom you dread, even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of the Chaldeans... Write this man down childless, a man who will not prosper in his days; For no man of his descendants will prosper sitting on the throne of David or ruling again in Judah.” (Jeremiah 22:24-25,30)

Coniah (Jeconiah) son of Jehoiakim is likened unto a signet ring that is pulled off Hashem's hand; representing him and his descendants being cast off, forbidden from ruling on the throne of David. However, in the book of Haggai it is said concerning Zerubbabel:

" On that day,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have ' chosen you,’ declares the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:23)

The language of the "signet ring" is a direct parallel to the language of the curse in Jeremiah 22, only this time; Zerubbabel is a signet ring being put back on God's hand. The Rabbis have understood this to indicate a reversal of the curse, due to Jeconiah's repentance, as well as Zerubbabel's righteousness [26]. Allowing Messiah to come from his lineage with no issue of right to rulership. 

Third Set of 14

"12 After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor. 14 Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud. 15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob. 16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations." (Matthew 1:12-17)

The ultimate purpose and reason for Israel being exiled is to induce repentance [27]. Jeconiah's repentance from his sin in Babylon (reversing the curse upon his bloodline), as well as the 70 years of exile in Babylon ultimately count as another generation. It is taught in scripture that when one repents, they are considered a "new creation" [28]. For this reason, Jeconiah is counted twice (at the end of the 2nd set of fourteen generations, and at the beginning of the 3rd set of fourteen generations). 

This becomes extremely crucial, as when you count out the generations in Matthew's 3rd set of fourteen generations (without counting Jeconiah again), you come up short with only 13. But if you count him twice, you get to the correct number of 14 generations. Matthew lists the genealogy in such a way to represent the curse of Jeconiah, while also the repentance of it that followed. 

1st Set

1. Abraham

2. Isaac

3. Jacob

4. Judah

5. Perez

6. Esrom

7. Aram

8. Aminadab

9. Naason

10. Salmon

11. Boaz

12. Obed

13. Jesse

14. David

2nd Set:

1. Solomon

2. Roboam

3. Abia

4. Asa

5. Josaphat

6. Joram

7. Ozias

8. Joatham

9. Achaz

10. Ezekias

11. Manasseh

12. Amon

13. Josiah

14. Jechoniah

3rd Set:

1. Jechoniah (post repentance/Babylonian Captivity)

2. Shaltiel

3. Zerubabel

4. Abihud

5. Eliakim

6. Azor

7. Sadoc

8. Achim

9. Eliud

10. Eleazar

11. Matthan

12. Jacob

13. Joseph

14. Yeshua (Jesus)

Matthew's genealogy is explicitly of Joseph (the husband of Mary), Jesus' father. By recording the complete lineage from Abraham to Yeshua through David and Solomon, Matthew can substantiate his claim that Yeshua truly is the Messiah, the son of David. 

Luke's Genealogy 

Luke, as opposed to Matthew, lists his genealogy beginning with Joseph, going backwards to Adam. 

"23 When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Hesli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Heber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God." (Luke 3:23-38)

The Son of Adam, the Son of God

What's unique about Luke's genealogy is that he traces it all the way back to Adam, who he calls "the son of God". The reason for this is likely to display how like Adam, Yeshua was made directly in the image of God [29].

Anomalies in the Genealogy 

The genealogy given for Joseph in Luke chapter 3 is different than the one given for him in Matthew chapter 1. However, they do converge at one point. Both record Joseph being in the lineage of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel. Matthew 1:12 as-well as 1 Chronicles 3:17 say that Shealtiel is the son of Jeconiah, however, Luke 1:27 says that he is the son of "Neri"; an otherwise unknown person in scripture. Why do Matthew and Luke disagree on who the father of Shealtiel is?

Messiah from Nathan?

Another one of the biggest differences between Matthew and Luke's genealogy for Joseph (Yeshua's father) is that Luke records that he is a descendant of Nathan (a different one of David's sons). As previously stated, the eternal monarchy of David was promised to Solomon only. Therefore, Messiah (the ultimate fulfillment of the promise) cannot descend from any other of the sons of David. 

Despite this, there is some evidence to suggest that Messiah would be related to Nathan in some way. For example, Zechariah singles out the family of Nathan saying they would "look on him who they have pierced, and mourn for him as one mourns for an only son" [30]. Furthermore, it is recorded in the Zohar:

“the wife of Nathan, son of David, who is the mother of Messiah… (Zohar 3:173b)

How does this all tie in together? Why do Matthew and Luke disagree on who the father of Joseph is (Jacob vs. Eli)? Why do Matthew and Luke also disagree on which son of David Joseph is a descendant of (Solomon vs. Nathan)? We will now explore several of the solutions proposed over the centuries.

Mary's Genealogy?

Church history does state that Mary was also a descendant of David [31], leading some scholars suggest that Luke may be recording the lineage of Mary, and that the Greek word used for "son" in Luke 3:23 for Joseph being the "son" of Heli is referring to him being the "son in law" of Heli; who they suggest is Mary's father [32]. A very fringe theory appeals to the Peshitta text, and medieval Hebrew Matthew text to suggest that that Matthew 1:16 should read "And Jacob begat Joseph the father (not husband) of Mary, of whom was born Jesus". Which would make Matthew's lineage Mary's, and Luke's Joseph's [33]. Several early church fathers also ascribe Matthew's genealogy to Mary [34].

Miscellaneous Solutions

Some scholars suggest that one lineage is meant to represent Joseph's paternal line, and the other his maternal [35]. Rabbi Lichtenstein speculates that Joseph's actual father is Jacob, but that he died very young; leading Joseph to being adopted by Eli. Making Matthew Joseph's blood lineage, and Luke his legal lineage (through adoption) [36]. And lastly, as previously mentioned, some scholars simply believe they are irreconcilable, and appeal to corruption of the Jewish records (due to Herod's mass destruction of them).

Harmonizing the Genealogies

The issue with all of the aforementioned solutions is that they are extremely speculative. While any of these theories "could" be possible, they lack any precedent in the text of scripture or history. However, there is a solution that has a strong tradition tied to it.

In the late second century, Christian traveler and historian Julius Africanus interacted with a group of people known as "The Desposyni"; which literally means "The Lord's people". They lived in Nazareth and Cochaba at the time, and claimed to be relatives of Yeshua. When asked concerning the apparent contradiction between Yeshua's two lineages, they said the answer lies in levirate marriage. Levirate marriage in scripture is the commandment from God that states if a man dies leaving his widow with no son, that the dead man's brother is obligated to marry the widow to raise up seed for his dead brother [37]. So while genetically the son born of that marriage belongs to the living brother, he is legally considered the son of the dead brother. The Desposyni explain how this scenario played out in Jesus' lineage:

"Those descending from Solomon and those descending from Nathan were so intermingled by the raising up of children for childless widows and by second marriages, and by the raising of seed, that the same persons are quite justly reckoned to belong at one time to the one family and at the same time to the other family, that is, to their legal fathers and their actual fathers. And thus it is that both genealogies are true, and both come down to Joseph, with considerable intricacy, yet quite accurately." (Julius Africanus, Epistle to Aristides, 2)

If true, this would explain why Matthew and Luke record two different people being the father of Shealtiel. Furthermore, it would explain why Joseph himself has two different lineages in Matthew and Luke. What they claim is that Matthan (from Solomon's line) married a girl named Estha. Estha gave birth to Jacob, but soon after he was born, Matthan died. After this, she married another man, Matthat (from Nathan's line), and gave birth to Eli. The half brothers Jacob (Solomonic descent) and Eli (Nathanic descent) grew up together in the house of Matthat. Eli than passed away soon after marrying a woman, leaving her as a widow with no sons. Leading to Jacob his brother raising up seed for him through a levirate marriage, resulting in the birth of Joseph (Jesus' father) [38]. Joseph would therefore be a blood descendant of Solomon, but a legal descendant of Nathan, harmonizing both accounts [39].

Provided by First Fruits of Zion, Chronicles of the Messiah Vol. 1, 82.

This is the only solution that posses a historical tradition, and therefore isn't predicated upon speculation. Allowing both genealogies to read in harmony. Truly, Jesus Christ is the son of David, the son of Abraham.

[1] Numbers 1:18, Nehemiah 7:61, Mishnah Kiddushin 3:12.

[2] Jeremiah 23:5, 33:15-17; Isaiah 11:1-2; 2 Samuel 7:12-13.

[3] 2 Kings 24-25; Jeremiah 52:28-30

[4] Josephus, Jewish War, 1:282-285/xiv.4.

[5] Julius Africanus, Epistle to Aristides, 5. 

[6] Nedarim 32b

[7] Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 6:20

[8] Megillah 14b:13

[9] Ruth Rabbah 2:9

[10] Ruth 1:16-17; Yevamot 47b

[11] 2 Samuel 11

[12] 2 Chronicles 20:31

[13] Genesis 22:18; Isaiah 2:1-3, 11:10, 49:6; Matthew 28:19; Acts 11:18; Romans 11; Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 2:11-22

[14] 1 Chronicles 28:5; 1 Kings 1:31

[15] 2 Kings 8:25; 1 Chronicles 3:11

[16] 2 Kings 12:1; 1 Chronicles 3:11

[17] 2 Kings 14:1-2; 1 Chronicles 3:12

[18] 2 Kings 9:27-28, 2 Chronicles 22:9 

[19]  2 Kings 11:21, 2 Chronicles 24:1 

[20]  2 Kings 14:19, 2 Chronicles 25:27

[21] 1 Chronicles 3:15-16

[22] 2 Kings 24:1-6, 2 Chronicles 36:5-8

[23] Ezra 5:1, 6:14

[24] 2 Chronicles 9:29, 12:15, 13:22; Nehemiah 12:4

[25] Jeremiah 22:18-19, 22:30, 36:30

[26] Chagigah 2:2, Radak on Jeremiah 22:30

[27] Deuteronomy 30:1-3; Berachot 3a

[28] 2 Corinthians 5:17

[29] Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 15:45-47; Colossians 1:15

[30] Zechariah 12:10-12

[31] Justin Marter, Dialogue with Trypho, 100; Ignatius, Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians 18:2

[32] Nolland, Luke 1-9:20, 170.

[33] The Chronological Gospels (Second Edition), Michael R. Rood, pg. 13-14

[34] Tertullian (De carne Christi 21-22); Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, 21.

[35] R.P. Nettelhorst, "The Genealogy of Jesus," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 31.2 (June 1988): 169-172.

[36] Lichtenstein, Commentary on the New Testament, on Luke 3:23

[37] Genesis 38:6; Deuteronomy 25:5-10

[38] Julius Africanus, Epistle to Aristides, 3. 

[39] "52: Codex Alexandrinus omits the name Menna; Vaticanus omits Amminadab. Sinaiticus has Adam instead of Amminadab, and there are many other variants. Nolland, Luke 1-9:20, 167. 53: As a result, St. John Damascene, Julius Africanus, Irenaeus, Ambrose, and Gregory of Nazianzus were all ignorant of the two generations separating Heli from Melchi. Anthony Maas, "Genealogy of Christ," The Catholic Encyclopedia (vol. 6; New York, NY: Robert Appleton Company, 1909). Online: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06410a.htm. 60: Julius Africanus actually reports that Estha married Melchi, not Matthat, but this is because his Latin text of Luke omitted Matthat and Levi. As he put down the tradition he had received from the Desposyni, he must have consulted his corrupt text of Luke and reconstructed the explanation on the basis of that text. See note 53 above. For our purposes, I have reconstructed the explanation using our text of Luke, and therefore I have substituted Matthat for Melchi." (Firstfruits of Zion, Chronicles of the Messiah Vol. 1, 90)