The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1 (ESV)
The quoted passage asserts that Matthew wants his readers to understand a specific theological point in writing the first Gospel of the New Testament: Jesus is the long-awaited “son of David” and the legitimate King of Israel. In first-century Jewish culture, any claimed Messiah figure needed to be linked to the royal line of David. King David, the shepherd boy chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel, reigned as Israel’s ideal king. The Hebrew Scriptures promised that the Messiah would come from David’s lineage. Thus, the claim that Jesus is the “son of David” ties him directly to these messianic expectations.
In the Gospel of Matthew, this idea is stated explicitly in words and demonstrated through a literary device known as Gematria. Gematria is a Jewish interpretive technique, found especially in Hebrew texts and traditions, where letters of the alphabet have numerical values, and these numbers can carry symbolic meaning. In ancient Hebrew, there were no separate symbols for numbers as in modern English (0, 1, 2, etc.); instead, the Hebrew letters served double duty as numbers. Each letter of the Hebrew alphabet corresponds to a numerical value. Thus, words and names could be “translated” into numbers. Biblical writers and interpreters sometimes found special significance in these numerical values, seeing symbolic patterns or emphasizing particular concepts.
One must look carefully at the first chapter to understand how this works in Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew begins his Gospel with these words: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt. 1:1, ESV). Matthew plainly states that Jesus is “the son of David.” This phrase is incredibly significant. It establishes at the outset that Jesus is from the Davidic line. But Matthew does not stop there. He proceeds to lay out a genealogy of Jesus that emphasizes this Davidic connection through a careful numerical pattern.
he Hebrew letters used to spell the name “David,” which in Greek appears as “Δαυὶδ.” In the Hebrew Bible, the name David is spelled דָוִד (daleth, vav, daleth), and each Hebrew letter is assigned a numerical value:
In Matthew’s genealogy (Matt. 1:1–17), the list of names is divided into three groups of fourteen generations each:
From Abraham to David (14 generations)
From David to the Babylonian exile (14 generations)
From the Babylonian exile to Jesus (14 generations)
This structure of three sets of fourteen is not accidental. Many biblical scholars have noted that the number fourteen corresponds to the numerical value of the name “David” in Hebrew.[1] To understand this, let us look at the Hebrew spelling of David’s name: David’s name in Hebrew is spelled “Daleth” (D), “Vav” (V), and “Daleth” (D) again. In the Hebrew numbering system, Daleth (D) = 4, Vav (V) = 6, and Daleth (D) = 4. We get 4 + 6 + 4 = 14 if we add these values. Thus, the name “David” can be represented by the number 14.
Why does this matter for Matthew’s Gospel? By arranging Jesus’ genealogy into these three sets of fourteen generations, Matthew is essentially flashing a large sign to those familiar with Hebrew Gematria: “Look, this Jesus is truly the son of David!” Every time readers see the pattern of fourteen, they are reminded of the numerical value of “David” and, by extension, of Jesus’ Davidic lineage. The structure of the genealogy is a subtle yet powerful way of communicating that Jesus is intimately connected to David’s line.
Genealogies were very important in Matthew’s cultural and religious context. They were used to establish identity, inheritance, and legitimacy. Tracing one’s lineage back to King David was vital for someone claiming to be the Messiah. The prophets had made it clear that the Messiah would come from the house of David (e.g., Isaiah 9:7 and Jeremiah 23:5–6). By including a carefully constructed genealogy, Matthew provides strong evidence that Jesus is indeed the fulfillment of these messianic promises.
The statement in question also says, “When numbers are letters, they begin to speak quite literally!” This is a poetic way of saying that by looking at the numerical value of the letters in a name, you can find a deeper meaning encoded beneath the surface. We can discover patterns highlighting certain themes when we translate letters into numbers. In this case, turning the letters of David’s name into numbers (4 + 6 + 4) gives us 14, which Matthew uses as a structural device to highlight Jesus’ identity as David’s heir.
In other words, the genealogy is more than just a dry list of ancestors. Instead, it is a carefully crafted literary technique to communicate a theological truth. Matthew says, “Jesus is the son of David, the one you have been waiting for.” By using Gematria in this subtle way, Matthew makes the point in a manner that would be more evident to a Jewish audience accustomed to seeing numerical significance in words. While modern readers often do not think this way, ancient Jewish readers might have caught on more quickly that there was something special about the number fourteen and its connection to David.
This Davidic connection is central to the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s narrative portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament expectations. Matthew frequently quotes or alludes to the Hebrew Scriptures, showing how Jesus’ life and ministry bring God’s promises to completion. Since one of the key promises in the Hebrew Scriptures was the coming of a Davidic king who would establish God’s reign, it makes perfect sense for Matthew to emphasize Jesus’ Davidic lineage right from the start.
To appreciate this further, consider a few other places in Matthew’s Gospel where the title “son of David” appears. For example, in Matthew 9:27, two blind men cry out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David” (ESV). In Matthew 12:23, the crowds wonder, “Can this be the Son of David?” (ESV). In Matthew 15:22, a Canaanite woman cries, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David” (ESV). These examples show that many people recognized the significance of Jesus’ Davidic lineage and connected it to his identity and authority. By the time we get to the events of the Triumphal Entry, people are shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt. 21:9, ESV). This acclamation shows that the crowd saw Jesus as the long-expected Davidic king who would bring salvation.
However, for these acclamations and recognitions to make sense, the Gospel must establish that Jesus comes from David's line. Matthew’s genealogy provides a foundation upon which these claims rest. The subtle use of Gematria—the emphasis on the number fourteen—helps to confirm that Jesus is no mere pretender to David’s throne but rather the rightful heir.
If Matthew wanted readers to know that Jesus is the son of David, why not say it over and over again? Why use Gematria and a set of genealogies arranged in groups of fourteen? The answer is that Matthew does state it plainly right at the start. However, Matthew also creates a richer and more layered presentation by encoding this truth in the genealogy structure. In the ancient world, genealogy was a way of storytelling, presenting who a person is and where they came from. By shaping the genealogy numerically, Matthew informs readers of Jesus’ lineage and invites them to meditate on the connection between Jesus and David. The pattern of fourteen would prompt a careful reader to consider the significance of David’s name. The genealogy does not just inform; it also evokes wonder and recognition.
Moreover, when discussing Gematria, we must remember that this was a common interpretive approach in Jewish thought. While the New Testament does not frequently employ Gematria as a primary means of interpretation, its presence here in Matthew 1 is widely recognized by scholars.[2] Matthew’s use of Gematria does not negate the historical reality of Jesus’ lineage but rather enhances the theological significance the evangelist wishes to convey. The evangelist wants his readers—particularly those familiar with Jewish traditions—to see that the arrival of Jesus is tied to the long storyline of Israel’s history, culminating in the coming of the royal Messiah from the line of David.
To further appreciate this, let us consider the importance of Davidic descent in the Old Testament. God promised David that his offspring would rule Israel forever. Second Samuel 7:12–13 records God’s covenant with David: “When your days are fulfilled, and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (ESV). Although this passage directly refers to Solomon and the building of the Temple, it also points forward to a future ruler from David’s line who would establish a permanent kingdom of peace, justice, and righteousness. In the prophetic tradition, this future king (Messiah) would restore Israel’s fortunes and fulfill God’s promises (see Isaiah 9:1–7, 11:1–10; Jeremiah 23:5–6; Ezekiel 34:23–24; Hosea 3:5; Amos 9:11; Zechariah 9:9–10).
By highlighting that Jesus is the “son of David” at the beginning of his Gospel, Matthew positions Jesus as the one who brings these ancient promises to fulfillment. The emphasis on fourteen (the number of David) in the genealogy is another layer of evidence that this is not just any descendant of David but the long-awaited one. The quiet interplay of letters and numbers makes the claim “speak” more loudly to those who catch it.
This interplay—“when numbers are letters, they begin to speak”—alludes to how the Hebrew language works. In Hebrew, the first letter, Aleph, corresponds to 1; Beth to 2; and so forth. Thus, every Hebrew word can be analyzed numerically. While modern readers may find this unusual, it was a known phenomenon in the ancient world. Such a literary technique in the Gospel of Matthew indicates that the evangelist was deeply rooted in the Jewish world of the first century. He was writing for an audience that would appreciate these subtle hints and patterns. Although Matthew’s Gospel is also addressed to a broader audience, including Gentile believers, it does not strip away its Jewishness. Instead, it embraces it, assuming readers will understand or learn its cultural and linguistic nuances.
It is also worth noting that Matthew’s genealogy is somewhat stylized. If one compares it closely with the Old Testament genealogical records, one will notice that Matthew does not include every generation. This is not a deception; it was common in ancient genealogies to telescope the lists by leaving out certain names to highlight key individuals or achieve a desired pattern. The primary goal was theological and literary, not just chronological.[3] Matthew’s choice of three groups of fourteen generations is deliberate, underscoring his point about Jesus’ Davidic identity. In other words, the pattern of fourteen is more important to Matthew than listing every single ancestor. By doing so, he turns the genealogy into a theological statement rather than a mere historical record.
Another reason this is important is that it shows the reader that Jesus’ identity and mission are deeply woven into Israel’s story. Jesus does not appear out of nowhere. He emerges from within the chosen people, descending from Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, and from David, its greatest king. By connecting Jesus to these pivotal figures, Matthew shows that Jesus’ life and work cannot be separated from God’s covenant people, their promises, and the unfolding plan of redemption that began with Abraham and continued through David.
The point is this: Matthew’s Gospel starts by explicitly stating that Jesus is “the son of David” (Matthew 1:1, ESV). Then, it uses a genealogical structure and Gematria's device (the numerical value of letters) to reinforce that claim. The repeated pattern of fourteen generations corresponds to the numerical value of “David” in Hebrew (Daleth = 4, Vav = 6, Daleth = 4), and by presenting the genealogy in this way, Matthew “speaks” through numbers as well as words. Thus, Matthew’s readers, especially those with a Jewish background and familiarity with Hebrew, would see the explicit claim and its subtle confirmation through the numbers. In so doing, Matthew declares that Jesus is the promised King from David’s line, the long-awaited Messiah who would fulfill the ancient prophecies and reign over God’s people.
Matthew uses Gematria as a clever and meaningful way to show that Jesus is indeed the “son of David.” It is not just a matter of stating the fact; Matthew’s genealogical pattern provides a narrative and symbolic reinforcement of this crucial theological point. This example demonstrates the importance of understanding the original languages in the Bible.
Notes
[1] For discussions of the numerical value of David’s name and the significance of the number fourteen in Matthew’s genealogy, see Raymond Brown, The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in Matthew and Luke; R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew; Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary.
[2] See, for example, David A. deSilva, An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation; N. T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone, Part 1: Chapters 1–15.
[3] See Craig L. Blomberg, Matthew; France, The Gospel of Matthew, 30–33.
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