It is generally accepted by tradition that the Biblical account of events are factually correct, even when the information is either not available or in some cases contradictory. One of the more noticeable cases, and often overlooked is regarding Matthew’s account of Jesus’ lineage; which serves as a continuing challenge for this ongoing study.
Matthew 1: 12-16
And after the deportation to Babylon, to Jeconiah was born Shealtiel; and to Shealtiel, Zerubbabel; and to Zerubbabel was born Abiud; and to Abiud, Eliakim; and to Eliakim, Azor; and to Azor was born Zadok; and to Zadok, Achim; and to Achim, Eliud; and to Eliud was born Eleazar; and to Eleazar, Matthan; and to Matthan, Jacob; and to Jacob was born Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called the “Christ.”
"JECONIAH"
I Chronicles 3: 16-20
And the sons of Jehoiakim [“Eliakim”] were Jeconiah his son, and the sons of Jeconiah, the prisoner [during the “Babylonian captivity”], were Shealtiel his son, and Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. And the sons of Pedadiah [“Shealtiel”; Matthew 1: 12??] were Zerubbabel and Shimei. And the sons of Zerubbabel were Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shemolith was their sister; and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushabhesed, five (??)[by “Shimei”, verse 19??].
Matthew’s account has some significant inconsistencies which have been previously noted, but in addition to those listed above, there are others. Abiud, Azor, Achim, Matthan, Jacob son of Mattan, and Joseph son of Jacob are not mentioned in any genealogical record or Scriptural reference; except here in this account.
"ELIAKIM"
There are 2 Eliakim’s; one is a son of Hilkiah (Cp. II Kings 18: 18) and the other Eliakim is the king of Judah, whose name was changed to “Jehoiakim” by Necho king of Egypt (Cp. II Chronicles 36: 4).
"ZADOK"
As for Zadok, it is a little difficult to pinpoint his ancestry because it is so varied. He is the son of Ahitub (Cp. I Chronicles 6: 6-9, 11-15; Ezra 7: 1-5), the son of Meraioth (Cp. Ezra 9: 11), the son of Baana (Cp. Nehemiah 3: 4, 6), and the son of Immer (Cp. Nehemiah 3: 29)
"ELEAZAR"
Eleazar is interesting because according to I Chronicles 6: 4, he begat Phinehas, but I Chronicles 23: 22a; 24: 28 states that he died having no sons but only daughters. Ezra 7: 5 and I Chronicles 9: 20 mentions that Phinehas is the son of Eleazar. He is also mentioned as the son of Dodo the Ahohite in I Chronicles 11: 12, and as the son of Mahli(Cp. I Chronicles 23: 21; 24: 28).
"MATTAN"
Mattan is mentioned as a priest of Baal who was killed during the purge of Jehoiada(Cp. II Chronicles 23: 17; II Kings 11: 18) or the father of Shepthatiah
(Cp. Jeremiah 38: 1).
NOTE: Presumably this Mattan is Matthan?
"JOSEPH"
Joseph is the son of Bani(I Chronicles 25: 2; Ezra 10: 42)or the son of Shebaniah
(Cp. Nehemiah 12: 14).
To sum it all up, the difficulty in getting an accurate genealogical record is the fact that ancestors are sometimes referred to as sons or children and not necessarily be an immediate family member or biological kin. Also there is the Jewish custom of ‘Levirate’ marriage where the nearest male relative [a brother, uncle, etc.] will continue to carry on the family name if a married man dies before having a son. In this way the deceased man’s name continues on throughout subsequent generations. Names are given to children in some cases because they are popular or because they have political or religious significance. The author of Matthew may have had access to sources or documents that have since been long lost in time and the association of these names with the Lord Jesus Christ may have more to do with certain ‘Messianic’ expectations than to a natural bloodline.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
August 20, 2008
pbks@hotmail.com
