Βίβλος γενέσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ· υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ·
Introduction: The Weight of Lineage
The opening verse of the Gospel of Matthew is deceptively brief, yet it carries immense theological and grammatical weight. The construction in focus—υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ· υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ—is a genitive chain: a repeated genitive noun phrase linked in succession. This compact grammatical structure does not merely convey ancestry; it encapsulates fulfillment, identity, and messianic legitimacy.
This article explores how the genitive case functions within this chain to layer meaning and mark the identity of Ἰησοῦς {Iēsous} as the culmination of divine promises. Far from being a simple genealogical formula, this genitive chain is a literary and theological overture to Matthew’s Gospel.
Morphological Breakdown of the Genitive Phrases
- υἱοῦ {huiou} –
Root: υἱός {huios};
Form: masculine genitive singular noun;
Usage: indicates “son of,” expressing relationship or origin;
Notes: Genitive case is used here to show lineage from David and Abraham. - Δαυὶδ {Dauid} –
Form: indeclinable proper noun (masculine);
Usage: as an indeclinable Hebrew name, it retains the same form in all cases;
Function: genitive by position and function, governed by the preceding noun. - Ἀβραάμ {Abraam} –
Form: indeclinable proper noun (masculine);
Usage: likewise remains unaltered and is in genitive function by its syntactic relationship.
Syntactical Analysis: Genitive Chain Construction
The syntax here presents a double genitive chain: υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ· υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ. Each phrase consists of a head noun (υἱοῦ) followed by a proper name in genitive function. The absence of conjunctions (asyndeton) and repetition of υἱοῦ instead of compressing the genitive relationships into one (e.g., “υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ καὶ Ἀβραάμ”) highlights each figure individually.
This syntactic choice emphasizes separate theological identities: David, the archetypal king; and Abraham, the patriarch of promise. Repeating the genitive head noun strengthens their individual roles rather than merging them into one combined genitive phrase.
Semantic and Theological Implications of the Genitive
The genitive in Greek commonly shows possession, relationship, or origin. In the phrase υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ, the genitive signals messianic inheritance, referring to the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7). υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ connects to the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12), implying that the blessings to the nations are realized in Ἰησοῦς {Iēsous}.
By using genitive chains, the text simultaneously affirms:
– Royal lineage through David
– Covenantal origin through Abraham
– Legitimacy as both heir and fulfillment
These two genitives become thematic pillars for Matthew’s Gospel, structuring the narrative around promise and kingship.
Literary and Discourse Significance
The structure and brevity of the genitive chain serve as a literary overture. Like a poetic inscription, this dual genitive establishes tone, authority, and expectation. The repetition of υἱοῦ functions rhetorically, granting symmetrical emphasis and prophetic density.
Moreover, by placing Δαυὶδ before Ἀβραάμ, the author reverses chronological order, prioritizing messianic kingship over ancestral origin—a choice possibly aimed at Jewish readers expecting the return of the Davidic reign.
The Genitive Chain as Messianic Title
Rather than simply noting ancestry, the genitive chain functions as a titular declaration. The phrase υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ· υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ is not merely a descriptor—it is a thesis statement for the Gospel. It identifies Jesus as the Son par excellence, whose genealogy fulfills prophecy and whose identity is rooted in covenantal history.
Matthew employs the genitive with poetic precision, allowing grammar to carry the full freight of theology. The genitive chain here is no less than a grammatical encapsulation of redemptive history.