Matthew 1:7 (KJV)

What does Matthew 1:7 mean?

Matthew 1:7 lists part of Jesus’ family line, stating that Solomon was the father of Roboam, Roboam was the father of Abia, and Abia was the father of Asa. This verse is one link in Matthew’s genealogy, tracing Jesus’ ancestry through the kings of Judah.

Matthew is writing to show Jesus’ legal descent from King David, which was important for Jewish readers expecting the Messiah to come from David’s line. By naming these specific ancestors, Matthew connects Jesus to Israel’s royal history and roots his story in real, historical people.

The Greek behind Matthew 1:7

• The word γεννάω (gennaō, “begat”) is used for each father-son relationship. In Greek, this word often means “to become the father of,” emphasizing a direct line of descent, which was key for establishing legal and royal heritage.
• The names Σολομών (Solomōn, “Solomon”), Ροβοάμ (Roboam), Ἀβιά (Abia), and Ἀσά (Asa) are Greek forms of well-known Old Testament figures. Their inclusion highlights that Matthew is intentionally linking Jesus to the line of Davidic kings.

Why Matthew 1:7 matters

• This verse helps clarify that Jesus’ ancestry includes the royal line of Judah, which was a major expectation for the Messiah in Jewish tradition.
• By listing these names, Matthew shows that Jesus’ story is tied to real historical figures, not legends or unknown ancestors.
• The genealogy as a whole, including this verse, sets up Matthew’s argument that Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s lineage.