ESV Reformation Study Bible – Matt 1:17
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Matt 1:17

1:17 fourteen generations. Matthew organizes the genealogy into three groups of fourteen to show that God has a purpose in history. The early history leading to David, the monarchy leading to the Exile in Babylon, and the history of Israel after the Exile all lead up to, and point to Christ. Jechoniah (Jehoiachin) is included in both the second and third groups of fourteen; this enumeration is in keeping with Matthew’s abbreviation of the genealogy (v. 5 cf. Josh. 2; v. 8 cf. 2 Chr. 21:4–26:13).