Matthew 1:6 (KJV)

What does Matthew 1:6 mean?

Matthew 1:6 states that Jesse was the father of David, who became king, and that David was the father of Solomon by the woman who had been the wife of Uriah. This verse highlights a key part of Jesus’ genealogy, emphasizing both David’s royal status and the unusual circumstances of Solomon’s birth.

Matthew is writing to show Jesus’ legal ancestry, tracing it through King David to fulfill Jewish expectations of the Messiah. By mentioning “her that had been the wife of Urias,” Matthew draws attention to Bathsheba and the complicated story of David’s relationship with her, which involved both sin and God’s grace. This detail sets the tone for a genealogy that includes imperfect people and surprising turns.

The Greek behind Matthew 1:6

• βασιλεύς (basileus, “king”): The word is used twice for David, underlining his royal status. Matthew’s repetition draws special attention to David as the central figure in the genealogy.
• ἐκ (ek, “of” or “from”): The phrase “of her that had been the wife of Urias” uses this word to indicate Solomon’s mother, highlighting her identity not by name but by her previous marriage to Uriah. This indirect reference points to the backstory and signals something significant about Solomon’s origins.

Why Matthew 1:6 matters

• Matthew 1:6 clarifies that Jesus’ ancestry includes both celebrated figures like King David and people with complicated stories, such as Bathsheba.
• The verse emphasizes the fulfillment of messianic prophecy by connecting Jesus directly to David, the most important king in Israel’s history.
• By mentioning “the wife of Urias” instead of Bathsheba’s name, Matthew subtly reminds readers of David’s moral failure and God’s ability to work through human weakness.