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Explanation for:
Matthew
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And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram.
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"It is important to observe that the genealogy of the Saviour does not include any holy women; rather, it references those who are criticized in Scripture. This underscores the point that He, who came to redeem sinners, descended from sinners and erased the sins of everyone. Consequently, in the subsequent verses, we find mention of Ruth the Moabitess and Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What should one say, O servant of God, when reflecting on the account of unlawful relationships? What is your perspective? The answer is clear. Normally, one might refrain from discussing the lineage of a common man. However, when it comes to the genealogy of the Divine incarnate, silence is not an option; rather, it must be declared boldly to illustrate His providential guidance and omnipotence. He did not come merely to mask our shame but to eradicate it entirely. Just as we do not find it surprising that Christ died, but rather that He was subjected to crucifixion—a truly disgraceful act—which ultimately reveals His profound connection to humanity, we can apply this reasoning to His nativity as well: it is not merely astonishing that Christ took on human form, but equally remarkable that He chose to identify with flawed individuals as His relatives, showing no shame regarding our shortcomings.\\n\\nFrom the outset of His earthly life, He demonstrated a refusal to hide from our faults, encouraging us not to be embarrassed by the failings of our forebears but to pursue righteousness. A virtuous person can come from any background, be it a foreign lineage or even that of sinners, and such circumstances bring no dishonor. If a sinner repents, they need not be defined by their past; likewise, a righteous individual descended from sinful ancestors bears no disgrace from their lineage. This was not merely to instruct us, but also to humble the Jews who, in their ignorance of spiritual integrity, proudly exalted Abraham, believing they could derive justification from ancestral merit. The Lord clarifies from the very beginning that pride in one's lineage is misplaced, and that true merit must be earned through personal deeds.\\n\\nAdditionally, He emphasizes that everyone, even the great patriarchs, carries the weight of sin. For example, the patriarch from whom the Jewish people derive their name, finds himself exposed as a significant sinner, as Tamar accuses him of immoral conduct. David’s lineage produced Solomon through a relationship with a formerly married woman. If such esteemed figures failed to meet the law's requirements, how much less those who come after? Consequently, all have sinned, necessitating Christ's arrival. This is why the evangelist also includes the twelve patriarchs, casting shame on the Jews who prided themselves on distinguished forefathers. Many of those patriarchs were born to maidservants, yet this fact did not diminish their status as patriarchs or tribal founders. \\n\\nThe Church embodies this principle, highlighting a distinct nobility rooted in the Old Testament. Regardless of one's status as slave or free, that distinction holds no weight compared to the disposition of one’s heart and will. Furthermore, the evangelist recounts the tale of Judah's incest not without purpose. It seems redundant to mention Zara, yet his inclusion alongside Phares serves a specific function. When Tamar was about to give birth, Zara reached out first. When the midwife saw his hand, she tied it with a scarlet thread, intending to mark him as the firstborn. However, that hand withdrew, and Phares was born first.\\n\\nThe midwife remarked, “What is your obstruction for the sake of obstruction?” (Genesis 38:29). Does this not point to a deeper significance? The interpretation rests in the name itself: Phares denotes separation and division. The event unfolds in a manner that defies natural expectations—the hand appeared only to be concealed once more. While it may be customary for a child to follow upon showing themselves, it is wholly unusual for them to withdraw to allow another to emerge. Clearly, divine grace orchestrated this birth, foreshadowing future occurrences. The interpretation posits that these infants symbolize two nations, indicating that the existence of the second nation precedes that of the first. Zara, by presenting only his hand, signifies a nation still hidden until after the emergence of the first.\\n\\nThis parallels the journey of Abraham, where the Church first appeared, then later became obscured by the Jewish nation and its laws, followed by the emergence of a new nation with different precepts. The midwife's inquiry about the hindrance highlights that the law functioned as a barrier to true freedom. The Scriptures frequently depict the law as such. For instance, David states, “You have laid down its stronghold” (Psalm 79:13), and Isaiah notes, “I will fence him in” (Isaiah 5:2), while Paul highlights that He has abolished that barrier (Eph. 2:14). Others interpret the midwife's words as alluding to the new nation, which nullified the law's hold.\\n\\nTherefore, the evangelist's detailed account of Judah's story carries significant weight. Likewise, Ruth and Rahab—one a foreigner, the other of dubious background—are mentioned to illustrate that the Savior came to abolish our sins, arriving not as a judge but as a healer. As those men espoused so-called impure women, God Himself mingled with a sinful nature. While the ancient prophets applied this to the synagogue which turned out to be ungrateful to its divine Spouse, the Church, freed from ancestral failings, embraced her Bridegroom.\\n\\nConsider how Ruth mirrors our experiences. She was an outsider, immersed in poverty, yet Boaz, upon witnessing her plight, did not disdain her humble origins. Similarly, Christ embraced the Church, despite her being an outsider in need of salvation, elevating her to share in profound blessings. Just as Ruth forsook her kin to join with Boaz, so the Church also leaves behind her former ways to approach the Bridegroom. The prophetic utterance encourages the Church: “Forget your people and your father’s house, and the King will desire your beauty” (Psalm 44:11, 12). \\n\\nThrough Ruth, who became a progenitor of kings and David’s ancestor, the evangelist illustrates that lineage based on moral stature is inconsequential. David himself had no shame of her humble beginnings. One’s honor cannot stem from the vices or virtues of one’s ancestors. Instead, it is more commendable to achieve goodness despite a poor heritage. Therefore, individuals ought not to take pride in their ancestry but to focus on their own actions, or better yet, to remain humble even about those. Pride diminishes the one who boasts and elevates the humble, making humility vital.\\n\\nBoasting implies an expectation of recognition. If we acknowledge that humility can transform a sinner’s heart, even more transformational is the humility exhibited by someone deemed righteous. Such individuals should avoid self-exaltation, lest they dilute their labor. The Lord perceives the sincerity of your heart profoundly, far more than you do yourself. If we offer even a simple act of kindness, He will honor it. \\n\\nWhy then should we value our righteousness and publicly parade it? Be aware that self-praise alienates you from divine commendation, and true humility draws praise from Him. Let us strive to be servants who do not seek personal glory, thus freeing ourselves from vanity. Amidst all the labor we may undertake, let us emulate the heart of the publican, seeing ourselves as we truly are. \\n\\nHumility guides us toward ultimate wisdom; the humble do not harbor envy or anger, nor do they nurse other passions. When a hand is broken, it cannot lift anything; similarly, if the spirit is broken, overwhelmed by passions, it will remain low. However, those who mourn their sins achieve a deeper understanding of self than those who grieve worldly concerns. The example of David illustrates this: amid peril, he maintained composure, never retaliating against insults. When faced with curses, he exercised restraint and humility, stating that it was the Lord's will.\\n\\nDavid's wisdom transcended conventional law, aligning him with the commandments of the Apostles, ultimately leading him to exhibit profound patience towards adversaries. Even when his kingdom was under threat from his enemies, David chose to accept his trials with gratitude, modeling moving humility as he tragically lost much yet maintained loving fidelity toward the divine will.\\n\\nLet us aspire to such dignity, embodying the principle that in all circumstances, we must cultivate meekness, sowing seeds of humility, the foundation of all blessings. By embracing this virtue, we can traverse the tribulations of life with serenity, steering towards peace, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose glory and dominion is everlasting. Amen."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Judah fathered Phares and Zara through Tamar. In a profound way, this signifies both the Jewish and Gentile peoples. Zara was the first to be born, with the midwife tying a red thread around his hand, indicating that the nation of Israel bears the mark of the covenant through circumcision. However, as Zara withdrew his hand, Phares emerged, for the flesh encompassing Zara was constricted, while the space where Phares was positioned was open, allowing him to come forth first. Thus, the Jewish people were the initial ones to step into the light of faith, emerging from the obscurity of the world, and they were consequently marked with the red of circumcision, as they were the chosen people of God. \\n\\nWhat does this signify? The law stood like a barrier before them, obstructing their righteousness. The law serves to hinder faith rather than to encourage it, as it is written, “Sin was dead before the commandment came, and I lived; but when the commandment came, sin was made alive, and I died” (Rom. 7:9-10). Therefore, the law acted as an impediment to the Jewish people in their path to the light of truth. However, in the era of Christ, the wall of the law that separated Jew from Gentile was abruptly dismantled, as the apostle declares, “He that broke down the barrier that stood in the midst” (Eph. 2:14). Consequently, the Gentile nation was initially restrained under the flourishing of the Jewish nation, akin to being confined in the darkness of the world, until the law fell away due to the commandments of Christ, and as the Jewish nation receded, the Gentile nation became the first to embrace faith, with the Jewish nation following thereafter. This aligns with the apostle's revelation, “I tell you a mystery” (1 Cor. 15:51). Partial hardening occurred within Israel until the full number of the Gentiles entered; thus, “all Israel shall be saved” (Rom. 11:25-26)."},{"author-name":"Ambrose of Milan","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88871ceef8c96e0998cd0_Ambrose%20of%20Milan.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Many question the inclusion of Tamar, a woman often viewed with suspicion, in the genealogy of our Lord by Matthew. They wonder why Ruth and the wife of Uriah are listed, while the revered matriarchs Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel are omitted. The scripture states, \\"Abraham begat Isaac; Isaac begat Jacob; Jacob begat Judah and his brothers; Judah begat Phares and Zara by Tamar\\" (Matthew 1:2-3). It is significant that the evangelist chose to highlight Tamar’s name, warranting her examination. \\n\\nTo begin with, upon closer inspection, Tamar was not of ill repute but was indeed a virtuous woman. Her aim was not to indulge in transient desire but to secure the future of her lineage. In ancient culture, childlessness was seen as a great shame, often punishable by societal norms. Judah had pledged his son as her husband but delayed the fulfillment of this promise. During this delay, her betrothed died. In an era before the grace bestowed by Christ, both single women and widows faced profound distress when deprived of children. In her sorrow, Tamar cleverly planned for her procreation and approached Judah at a time when he was mourning his wife. \\n\\nIn all her actions, Tamar displayed integrity: she did not intrude upon another's marriage, nor did she seek to adorn herself like a harlot for trivial reasons; rather, she was led by necessity to devise a means to secure offspring from her own family line. Who, then, reflects greater purity: she who remained faithful to the promise, or he who succumbed to illicit passion? Was she not chastity itself in the face of her situation, or was he not consumed by lust before being drawn in by Tamar’s virtue, which led to their union and the blessing of children? It was he who ultimately proclaimed, \\"Tamar is more righteous than I, because I have not given her to my son\\" (Genesis 38:26). She tested Judah's quest for purity, while she herself never engaged with another man after their union, donning the garments of widowhood immediately afterward. In contrast, Judah could hardly wait, abandoning mourning and neglecting his vow for the sake of fleeting desire.\\n\\nHowever, our aim is not to exonerate him, for he too fell short, yet we acknowledge a divine purpose in both their actions, revealed through their offspring: Tamar bore twins, Phares and Zara. Matthew deemed it important to mention both sons, even though the genealogy only required Phares, who further fathered Esrom, who then begat Aram (Matthew 1:3). Why, then, does scripture name both, especially when Isaac had two sons and Jacob many? Isn’t there a deeper significance in their dual representation?\\n\\nWe have addressed the moral aspect: Tamar acted not as an immoral woman but rather as one who sought the blessing of motherhood. Now, let us delve into the historical implications to unravel the mystery in the gifts she received: a seal, an ornament, and a staff (see Genesis 38:18, 25). Receiving such tokens signifies honor, emblematic of authority and prophetic power. The narrative of Tamar's childbirth itself offers prophetic insight: the first child extended his hand from the womb, prompting the midwife to tie a crimson thread around it, declaring, \\"This one will come out first\\" (Genesis 38:28). Upon the firstborn’s hand returning, a brother emerged swiftly, and the midwife remarked, \\"How hast thou broken the barrier for thyself?\\" (Genesis 38:29), bestowing upon him the name Phares. Following him, his brother, marked by the red thread, was named Zara. \\n\\nThese events are laden with profound significance: the emergence of a hand, the binding of a thread, and the midwife's discernment layer profound meaning: one emerges first, while another breaks through barriers. These twins represent two nations: one adheres to the law, while the other lives through faith—one following the letter, the other flourishing by grace. Grace surpasses law, and faith eclipses mere adherence. The hand that appeared is a symbol of grace, as the workings of grace were evident in figures such as Job, Melchisedec, and Abraham, who lived by faith, for \\"Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness\\" (Genesis 15:6). \\n\\nThe younger brother symbolizes a deeper grace; the earlier grace was witnessed in the patriarchs, followed by the grace seen in kings and prophets. Those who honored God faithfully under Moses's law also experienced grace, yet the fullness of faith is found in the parents before reaching the heirs. Zara, whose name connotes \\"the East,\\" embodies divine radiance, representative of the true light revealed through Christ, who claimed, \\"I am the Light of the world.\\" The patriarchs’ era was marked by a vibrant faith; their lives laid the groundwork for subsequent generations, fostering a cycle of faithful living until the law created barriers, thus severing the connection. \\n\\nThe sages communicated this rift through allegory, highlighting the necessity of adhering to righteousness that was bestowed upon humanity. Essentially, this initial godliness, established not by the law but through grace, reveals the Gospel—a means of faith intersecting with the life and work of Christ. By His grace, the promise of salvation broke forth, establishing a new covenant surpassing the prior one. \\n\\nIn essence, the two sons of Tamar—their duality—reflect similar paths: one rooted in the law and the other in faith, signifying the deeper meaning bound to the Gospel. The law retains its value as long as interpreted beyond the mere letter that leads to death (2 Corinthians 3:6). What remains crucial is understanding this narrative as illuminated by the greater mystery of salvation revealed to us through the entirety of Scripture. The apostle urges us to seek truth hidden within the folds of these accounts, noting that \\"Abraham had two sons: one by a bondwoman, and the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise\\" (Galatians 4:21-24). \\n\\nAs we aspire toward the heavenly Jerusalem, where walls cannot enclose or restrict the inheritance of grace, let us rejoice in the liberation from the law of old. We are birthed from the freewoman, the Church, free from the burdens of the former covenants. The true rest found in Christ lifts those bound by the yoke, revealing a path to true freedom. Such is our Lord, who through Zara’s line came forth, a promise of restoration to humanity, enabling us, through faith, to transcend the shackles of the law."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Zara signifies the east, while Phares denotes division or separation. This explains why the Pharisees set themselves apart from the common people. Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, married Tamar to his firstborn, Er. After he passed away without leaving any children, Judah provided Tamar to his second son, Onan. When he too met a similar fate, Judah promised Tamar to his third son, Shelah. However, worried that Shelah might also die, he delayed the marriage. Eager to bear children from the line of Abraham, which she deemed glorious, Tamar devised a plan when she noticed Judah's hesitance. Disguising herself in attire of a harlot, she positioned herself by the city gate. Judah, unaware of her identity, approached her as a prostitute, resulting in her conceiving twins. During her labor, as Phares and Zara were about to be born, Zara was the first to extend his hand. The midwife, wishing to mark the firstborn, tied a scarlet thread around his outstretched hand. Yet, he retracted it, allowing Phares to emerge first, followed by Zara. This narrative is significant. While it was customary to only trace descent through Phares, who established the line leading to David, the Evangelist included Zara to represent the Christian community, contrasting with Phares, who symbolizes the Jewish nation. The fact that Zara first presented his hand only to pull it back mirrors the unfolding of the Gospel and legal frameworks: the promise of the Gospel was evident in Abraham's time, followed by the Law, with the full realization of the Gospel coming subsequently. Thus, the inclusion of Zara carries purpose. \\n\\nMoreover, the mention of Tamar and the other three women is likewise meaningful. Although Tamar engaged in a relationship deemed illegitimate with her father-in-law, Rahab was a harlot, Ruth hailed from a foreign background, and Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, was involved in adultery, their stories demonstrate that Christ is unashamed of His lineage from such figures. One ancestor stemmed from a wrongful union, another from fornication, one from a foreign woman, and a fourth from adultery. The moral failings of one’s ancestors do not tarnish the righteous. Individuals are judged based on their own actions rather than those of their forebears. Christ's mission was not to evade our shame but to embrace and eradicate it through His perfect nature. He arrived as a healer rather than a judge. \\n\\nFurthermore, the Jews, often boasting of their lineage while neglecting core virtues, were reminded by the Evangelist that ancestry alone does not confer nobility. Judah, their patriarch, had Phares and Zara born from an unlawful union, while King David, a figure of great honor, fathered Solomon with an adulteress. Their pride in ancestry was therefore misplaced. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the brothers of Judah were born of Jacob's maidservants, yet none were diminished by the circumstances of their lineage; all held the status of patriarchs and tribal leaders. These women also represent the Church comprised of Gentiles. Just as their husbands took them despite their flaws, so Christ unites with humanity burdened by sin. This connection reflects that He did not deem the Church’s union with Him as unworthy. We are called to grapple with this truth: to focus not on the sins of our ancestors but on our own shortcomings; not to take pride in our ancestry but to cultivate our own righteousness; not to judge those illustrious figures who emerged from controversial unions; and not to shun those who come to faith from various sinful backgrounds."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Judah arranged for Tamar to marry his son Ira, but when he died without heirs, she was given to another son, Ainan. After Ainan also died due to his disgrace, Judah ceased to unite her in marriage to anyone else. Longing for descendants from Abraham's lineage, Tamar shed her widow's attire, assumed the guise of a harlot, and conceived twin sons through her father-in-law. As the time for childbirth approached, one son extended his hand from her womb as if he intended to be the firstborn. The midwife promptly tied a scarlet thread around his hand to signify the firstborn. However, he retracted his hand, and another son was born first, followed by the one who had initially displayed his hand. Consequently, the firstborn was named Phares, meaning ‘breach,’ as he disrupted the expected order, while the one who withdrew his hand was called Zara. This account symbolizes a profound mystery. Just as Zara first revealed his hand and then withdrew it, so too was the presence of Christ anticipated; it was reflected in the saints who lived before the law and circumcision. They were not justified solely by adhering to the law, but through the life of the gospel. Consider Abraham, who forsook his father and homeland for the sake of God, or Job and Melchizedek. With the advent of the law, such a life became obscured. Yet, just as Phares was born first, followed by Zara, so too did the gospel life emerge later, following the giving of the law, marked by the scarlet thread, which symbolizes the blood of Christ. The Evangelist noted these two infants because their births carried deep significance. Moreover, while Tamar's actions with her father-in-law may not seem commendable, her inclusion in the genealogy serves to illustrate that Christ embraced all circumstances for our benefit, including such ancestors. This was to sanctify them through His own birth from their line, as He came not to call the righteous, but sinners."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"Why does he refer not only to Phares, the progenitor of Esrom and the ancestors that followed him, but also to his twin brother Zara? This inclusion signifies a profound spiritual reality surrounding their birth. At the moment of their arrival, Zara was the first to extend his hand, prompting the midwife to tie a scarlet thread around it, only for him to retract it afterwards. Subsequently, Phares was born, which serves as a prophetic indication that just as Zara’s hand appeared prior to Phares’ birth, so too did the Gospel precede the Law. All the saints who lived before the Law were justified through faith in Christ, rather than through the Law itself. Patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the righteous before the Law embraced a life of faith in the Gospel. However, with the unveiling of the Law, that Gospel life was concealed, much like Zara's hand was withdrawn. When Phares entered the world, Zara, denoted by the scarlet thread, symbolized the faith that emerged through the blood of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, the Evangelist mentions their mother Tamar, despite the circumstances of her bearing them, to highlight that parental shortcomings do not obstruct one’s ability to find favor with God."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Judah fathered Phares and Zara through Tamar, as noted in Genesis 38:29 and 30. Phares was the father of Esrom, according to 1 Chronicles 2:5. Esrom then became the father of Aram, which is confirmed in 1 Chronicles 2:9."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Judah fathered Phares and Zara through Tamar. Tamar, who was Judah's daughter-in-law, found herself childless after the death of her two husbands (Gen. 38:6-18). Longing for descendants from Abraham's lineage, she disguised herself as a harlot, became pregnant by her father-in-law, and gave birth to twins, Phares and Zara. Following this mention of Tamar, the evangelist brings attention to Judah's own transgression. St. John Chrysostom asks, “What do you do, O man of God, to remind us of the account of incestuous lawlessness?” He responds by stating, “In the lineage of the incarnate God, it is not only essential to include such instances but to proclaim them eloquently to illustrate His providence and might. Christ came not to shy away from our disgrace but to abolish it. We should marvel at Christ, not only for taking on humanity but also for associating with flawed individuals, showing no shame in our failings. His example teaches us not to recoil from the sins of our forebears (or from humble origins), but rather to aspire for one goal—virtue. For those who embody virtue, despite their ancestry or circumstances of birth, cannot be diminished by it. This perspective serves to humble the pride of the Jews, who took pride in their lineage from Abraham and believed that the virtues of their ancestors ensured their salvation. Yet, behold, ‘even their forefathers were guilty of sins.’ The patriarch Judah, from whom the name of the tribe is derived, is recognized as a significant sinner, as Tamar charges him with fornication. Likewise, David's son Solomon was born of an adulterous union. If such notable figures fell short of the law, then those who came after them surely did as well. Thus, if they did not uphold it, then all have sinned, and therefore, the coming of Christ was essential” (St. John Chrysostom). The Evangelist then continues the genealogical record: Phares fathered Esrom; Esrom fathered Aram; <...>"},{"author-name":"Ivanov A.V.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88db13197efab881aa332_Ivanov%20A.V..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In the lineage of Jesus Christ, Matthew also presents several women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, Uriah's wife. According to Chrysostom, three of these women were Gentiles and three were known for their immoral backgrounds. This inclusion illustrates the profound humility of the Son of God as He descended to heal the brokenness of humanity, while simultaneously challenging the pride of the Jews, who boasted of their noble heritage tracing back to Abraham. Moreover, the incorporation of these Gentile matriarchs into the Messiah's genealogy foreshadowed the eventual conversion of the Gentiles to Christ."},{"author-name":"Bogoslovski M.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c889e63432c6dd413681d2_Bogoslovski%20M.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"What is the significance of the women mentioned by St. Matthew in the lineage of Jesus Christ: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and the wife of Uriah? To explore this, one might refer to Matthew 1:5. To understand their relevance, let’s first examine who these women were. Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah. The Scriptures recount her story. Following the deaths of her two husbands, Judah’s sons, she found herself without children. At her father-in-law’s suggestion, she was to return to her own family until Judah’s third son, Shelah, was old enough to marry her as promised. During this time, Judah's wife passed away. Subsequently, Judah went to the field to oversee the shearing of his sheep. When Tamar learned of his presence, she removed her mourning attire, adorned herself, and approached her father-in-law. Aware that Shelah had grown up yet had not married her, she took this initiative. Judah saw her and, not recognizing her, was captivated by her. This encounter led to the birth of twins, Perez and Zerah (Genesis 38). The Evangelist mentions both names, likely because Perez and Zerah symbolize the two peoples that would enter Christ’s Kingdom: the Jewish and the Gentile."}]}
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