Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Matthew 1:3
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar, etc.] The genealogical account of Christ goes on from Judah in the line of Phares, with whom Zara is mentioned; not because they were twins, for so were Jacob and Esau, and yet the latter is taken no notice of; but it may be because of what happened at their birth, (see <013828>Genesis 38:28,29,30). But the line of the Messiah was in Phares, and very rightly is he put in the genealogy of Christ, the Jews themselves being witnesses; who expressly say, that “the Messiah comes from him.” These two are said to be begotten of Thamar, daughter-in-law to Judah; who, though she was a Canaanitish woman, has the honour to be named in the genealogy of Christ, who came to save Gentiles as well as Jews: nor can the Jews reproach our Evangelist for putting her into the account; since they themselves frequently acknowledge that the Messiah was to spring from her: they say, f17 “there are two women from whom come David the king, and Solomon, and the king Messiah; and these two are Thamar and Ruth.” Jonathan Ben Uzziel on (<013806>Genesis 38:6) says, that Thamar was the daughter of Shem the great. And Phares begat Esrom; called Hezron, (<080418>Ruth 4:18) where the same phrase is used as here. He had another son called Hamul, (<130205>1 Chronicles 2:5) but the account proceeds from Phares, in the line of Esrom. And Esrom begat Aram; called Ram in (<080418>Ruth 4:18) where the same way of speaking is used as here. Esrom also besides him begat Jerahmeel, Chelubai, or Caleb, and Segub, (<130209>1 Chronicles 2:9,21) but these are not in the line. Elihu, who conversed with Job, is said to be of the kindred of Ram, (<183202>Job 32:2) whether the same with Ram or Aram, may be inquired.
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