Matthew 1
DortTHE ARGUMENT OF THE New Testament
1. The book of the generation [i.e Genealogy,or Tree of Christs Ancestours;It is an Hebrew manner of speaking.See Genesis 5:1.] of Jesus Christ,the Son of David,the Son of Abraham.These two,David and Abraham,are here set before,and Christ is especially called the Son of these two,because special promises were made to them both,that he should be born of their seed.See Gen.22.18. 2 Sam.7.12. Psalm.89.30. and 132.11.For which cause also,Matthew would bein this Genealogy first from Abraham ; like as he also,verse 6.particularly the names David,the King ; because David was the first King of the Tribe of Judah,and clear Type of the everlasting Kingdom of Christ, Luke 1.verse 32.]
2. Abraham begat Isaac,and Isaac begat Jacob,and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren.
3. And Judah begat Phares and Zara by Tamar,[Gr. out of.This woman,and hereafter Rachab and Ruth verse 5.and Bathsheba,verse 6.are here rehearsed by the Evangelist,because the Scripture speaks something of them,which serves to the state of Christs humiliation ; and likewise some of them were of Heathen Offspring : that thereby might be shewed,that even great sinners,yea and the Heathen themselves should be partakers of the fruits of Christs birth] and Phares begat Efrem,and Efrem begat Aram.
4. And Aram [This Aram called Ram, Ruth 4:19.] begat Aminadab,and Aminadab begat Naasson ,and Naasson begat Salmon.
5. And Salmon begat Booz by Rachab,and Booz begat Obed by Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse.
6. And Jesse begat David the King; and David the King begat Salomon [Luke in stead of Solomon and his posterity,puts Nathan,another son of David,and his posterity.The reason of this diversity,see on Luke 3:31.] by her that [had been the wife] of Urias.[namely,Bethsheba.sSee 2 Sam.11.3,24. and chap 12.24.by whom David begat Solomon,when after the death of her husband Urias,she was married unto him.]
7. And Salomon beat Roboam;and Roboam begat Abia,and Abia begat Asa.
8. And Asa begat Josaphat,and Josaphat begat Joram;and Joram begat Ozias. [Here are three Kings skipt over and passed by; namely Ochosias,Joas,and Amafias,that the number of fourteen may not be exceeded verse 17. of such kind of leaving out,see an example Ezra 7:3. compared with 1Chron.6.8. And this Ozias,is also Azaria, 1 Chron.3.12.]
9. And Ozias begat Joatham;and Joatham begat Achaz; and achaz begat Ezekias.
10. And Ezekias begat Manasse,and Manasse begat Amon, and Amon begat Jofias.
11. And Jefias begate Jechonious, [some join here unto Jakim , and Jakim begat Jechonias: which seems not ill to agree withh the Catalogue of the Kings of Juda, 1 Chronicles 3:16, &c. and with the number of fourteen here, verse 17. But seeing almost all Copies and Translations,have not this addition of Jakim,therefore is the same here left out,the rather,because by Jechonias in the twelfth verse may be understood the father, who is also called Joakim; whho is also called Joachim; and so the number of fourteen is here also compleated] and his brethren, about the Babylonish Transportation. [Or, in , or at the time, that is towards the time of the Jews carrying away captive into Babylon.]
12. After the Babylonish Transportation, Jechonias begat Salathiel, [may think that this Salathiel was not the natural Son of Jechonias; left no children behind him; but that he was called his Son, because he as being the next unto hhim in blood, suceeded him in the government of the people of Israel; like as, 1 Chhro.3.16. Zedecias is called the Son of Jechonias, because he also succeeded im in the Kingdome, who notwitstand, 2 Kings 24:17. is called his Uncle. Te rathher, because, Luke 3:27 it is said, that Salatiel descended from the stock of Nathan, who had the government of the people of the Jews, after the Babylonish captivity; which as it seems may be collected out of Zach 12.12. But others think, tat tis Salathiel was the natural Son of Jeconias; and that Salathiel of whom Luke speaks, cap. 3. 27. was anoter Salathiel then this; seeing the same is tere called the son of Neri. See the Annotation there.] and Salathiel begat Zorobabel.
13. And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor.
14. And the Azor begat Sadok;and Sadok begat Achim;and Achim begat Eliud.
15. And Eliud beat Eleazar;and Eleazar begat Matthan;and Matthan begat Jacob.
16. And Jacob begat Joseph;[This Genealogy is brought down to Joseph;because it was not usual with the Hebrews,to name women in Genealogies;notwithstanding from thence it may appear appear that Christ came of the stock of David;because it was the custome of the Jews to marry in their own lineage:and Matthew testifies before,verse 1.that he here relates the Genealogy of Jesus Christ .For that Christ descended from Judah,and David,is clearly taught every where in the holy Scripture.See Luke 1:32. Romans 1:3. Hebrews 7:14.] the husband of Mary,of whom is born Jesus,called Christ.[i.e which is sirnamed.See this name,John 1:42.]
17. Therefore all the generations from Abraham to Daniel [are] fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonish transportation [are] fourteen generations; [the Evangelist hath likewise express but fourteen Kings& Princes,because from Abraham to David,there were but fourteen generations of forefathers.Therefore hhe skipt over some generations of Kings and Princes.See on verse 8.and Luke 3.verse 24.&c.] and from the Babylonish Transportation unto Christ [are] fourteen generations.
18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ thus.For when Mary his Mother was bethrothed unto Joseph;before they were come together; i.e. before he had taken unto him,as appears out of verse 20.]she was found with childe [Others translate with fruit;but the word with childe fits better here,seeing Christ was not properly the fruit of the Holy Ghost;but the fruit of Maries womb,Luke 1:42.] of the Holy Ghost;as appears,Luke 1:35.so the Greek particle here used is also taken somewhere;as Rom.11.36.and 1 John 5:1.This was not then known to Joseph ; but was afterward revealed unto him by the Angel,verse 20.]
19. Now Joseph her husband,being righteous,and not willing openly to put her to shame, [The Greek word signifies as much,as to make any one a publique spectacle,and put him to disgrace,for an example unto others] had a will privily to forsake her. [Gr.to unloose(or release) her.]
20. And while he had these things in his minde,behold,the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream,saying; Joseph [thou] son of David;be not afraid to take unto thee Mary thy wife;for that which is conceived in her [Gr.is generated,or begotten;for which words,seeing the one is Latine,and the other obscure;it was thought fitter to put the word conceived.Of this generation and conception,see Luke 1:35,42.] that is of the Holy Ghost.
21. And shhe shall bringgg forth a Son,and thou shalt call his name Jesus.For he shall save his people [that is,those which were given him of the Father,to redeem or save them,Psalms 2:8. Isaiah 8:18. John 6:37.and 17.24. Acts 18.verse 10. Romans 11:1,2.] from their Sins.
22. And all this was done,that that might be fulfilled,wic was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet,saying,
23. Behold,the Virggin [The Hebrew and also the Greek Texts speak ere with childe, and bring forth son, and thou shalt [Othersread , she shall, or they shall] call his name Emmanuel [He is so called in respect of his Person and Office; because he both true God and Man in one person, and unites us to God.] which is being interpreted, God with us.
24. Then Joseph being raised up from sleep, did as the Angel of the Lord had commanded him, [Gr. had ordained] and took unto him his wife.
25. And knew her not, until [From hence cannot be concluded, that Joseph should hhave known her afterwards: for this manner speaking, doth not always import so much. See 2 Sam 6.23. Matth.28.20.] she hhad brought forth this first – born son, [A first born Son, is he that first opens the womb, Exodus 13:2. albeit that there are no sons or cildren brought forth afterwards: for as it is said , Exod.11.5. that the firstborn of Egypt should be slain; so without doubt under them are understood also the only- begotten.] and called his name Jesus.