When I read genealogies
in Scripture, I often have to remind myself that every word of Scripture is there for a reason. So I thought it would be interesting to see
what genealogies may tell us.
I started with the
genealogy in Genesis 5:1-31, which describes the line descending from Adam to
Noah. I consulted two sources for my
exercise: the NET Bible and Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary.
I was surprised to learn
that some of the names listed in the King James Version have different
spellings in the New International Version (the alternates are in
parentheses).
Adam:
Earthy, red, the first man
Seth (Sheth): Put, who puts, fixed, compensation
Enos (Enosh): Man, mortal man, sick, despaired of, forgetful
Cainan (Kenan): Possessor, possession, purchaser, buyer, owner
Mahalaleel (Mahalalel): Praise of God, praising God
Jared
(Jered): descent, a ruling,
commanding, coming down
Enoch:
Dedicated, disciplined
Methuselah (Mathusala): He has sent his death, man of the dart
Lamech:
Poor, made low, powerful
Noah:
Repose, consolation, rest
Chuck Missler has
written that this Genesis genealogy describes the first advent of Jesus
Christ. The references he used are
different from mine, but I think we do get this picture.
I then chose the genealogy
from Matthew 1:1-20, since it marks the beginning of the New Testament. Once
again, I found it interesting that many of the names of the ancestors of
Jesus also tell us about some the attributes of our Lord.
But when you break the list up into separate blocks as I’ve done below,
you might argue that it results in several “mini-stories,” that allude to the
first or second advents of Christ Jesus.
Abraham:
Father of a great multitude
Isaac:
Laughter
Jacob:
Heel-catcher
or supplanter
Judas (Judah): The praise of the Lord, confession
Phares (Perez): A breach
Zara (Zerah): A rising as the sun
Esrom (Hezron): Enclosed, dart of joy, division of son
Aram (Ram): Elevated, high
Aminadab (Amminadab): One of the prince’s people, my people is liberal
Naashon (Nahshon): Enchanter; that foretells, conjectures
Salmon:
A raiment; a garment, peaceful, he who rewards
Booz (Boaz): In him is strength
Obed:
Serving, a servant; a workman
Jesse:
A gift, oblation, wealth
David:
Well beloved, dear
Solomon:
Peaceful, perfect, one who recompenses
Roboam (Rehoboam): Enlarger of the people, who sets people at
liberty
Abia (Abijah): The Lord is my father
Asa:
Physician, cure
Josaphat (Jehoshaphat): Whom Jehovah judges, the Lord is judge
Joram (Jehoram): Whom Jehovah has exalted, exaltation of the Lord
Ozias (Uzziah): Strength of Jehovah, strength of the Lord
Jotham (Joatham): Jehovah is upright, perfection of the Lord
Achaz (Ahaz): Possessor, one that takes or possesses
Ezekais (Hezekiah): Might of Jehovah, strength of the Lord
Manasseh (Manasses): Forgetting, he that is forgotten
Amon:
Faithful, true, builder
Josiah (Josias): Whom Jehovah heals, the Lord burns, the fire of the Lord
Jechoniah
(Jechonias, Jehoiachin): Whom Jehovah establishes, preparation or strength
of the Lord
Shealtiel
(Salathiel): I have asked of God, or lent of God
Zerubbabel
(Zorobabel): Born at Babel, a stranger at Babylon, dispersion of confusion
Abiud (Abihud): My father is
majesty, father of praise
Eliakim: Raising up by God,
resurrection of God
Azor: Helper, a court
Zadok (Sadoc): Just, righteous
Achim: The Lord will
establish, preparing, revenging, confirming
Eliud: God is my praise
Eleazar: Help of God, court
of God
Matthan (Mattan): Gift
Jacob: Heel-catcher or
supplanter
Joseph: Let him add,
increase, addition
Jesus: Jehovah is
salvation, savior, deliverer
