Matthew 1:9 — Does It Err in Listing Uzziah as the Father of Jotham?

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Matthew 1:9 states: “Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.” This verse has raised questions due to perceived discrepancies when compared to Old Testament genealogical records. A thorough examination of the biblical texts and genealogical practices of the time provides clarity on this matter.

Understanding the Genealogical Records

In the Old Testament, particularly in 1 Chronicles 3:11–12, the genealogy lists: “Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son.” Here, Azariah is identified as the father of Jotham. It’s important to note that Azariah and Uzziah refer to the same individual. The name “Azariah” means “Yahweh has helped,” while “Uzziah” means “Yahweh is my strength.” Both names are used interchangeably for the same king in different biblical passages (cf. 2 Kings 15:1–7; 2 Chronicles 26:1–23).

Image illustrating Matthew 1:9 with Uzziah, Jotham, and Ahaz in the royal court of Judah.

Genealogical Practices and Omissions

Ancient Jewish genealogies often employed a telescoping method, where certain generations were omitted to achieve a particular structure or to highlight specific theological points. Matthew’s genealogy is structured into three sets of fourteen generations (Matthew 1:17), which may have led to the omission of some names to fit this pattern. This practice was not considered erroneous but was a recognized method of genealogical recording in ancient times.

Conclusion

Matthew 1:9 does not contain an error in listing Uzziah as the father of Jotham. The names Uzziah and Azariah refer to the same individual, and the genealogical structure employed by Matthew aligns with accepted practices of the time. Understanding these naming conventions and genealogical methods resolves the apparent discrepancy.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).