Matthew 1 Updates
Matthew 1:2
KJV: 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
KJVu: 2 Abraham fathered Isaac; and Isaac fathered Jacob; and Jacob fathered Judas and his brethren;
Note: Begat is another word that KJV people are extremely familiar and comfortable with, while many outside the KJV community are not so familiar with it. Strongs G1080 defines "begat" as "to procreate (properly of the father but by extension of the mother); figuratively to regenerate" Thayers
Definition is "of men who fathered children" "Fathered" seemed the logical choice to update "begat" with and is a common word recognisable to the masses. (Hebrew word in the Old Testament is Strong’s H3205).
Matthew 1:3
KJV: 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
KJVu: 3 And Judas fathered Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares fathered Esrom; and Esrom fathered Aram;
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:4
KJV: 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
KJVu: 4 And Aram fathered Aminadab; and Aminadab fathered Naasson; and Naasson fathered Salmon;
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:5
KJV: 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
KJVu: 5 And Salmon fathered Booz of Rachab; and Booz fathered Obed of Ruth; and Obed fathered Jesse;
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:6
KJV: 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
KJVu: 6 And Jesse fathered David the king; and David the king fathered Solomon by her that had been the wife of Urias;
Note:
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See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
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"Of" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G1537 with a Thayer’s definition of "out of, from, by, away from." In the context of this verse, "by" makes the most sense.
Matthew 1:7
KJV: 7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
KJVu: 7 And Solomon fathered Roboam; and Roboam fathered Abia; and Abia fathered Asa;
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:8
KJV: 8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
KJVu: 8 And Asa fathered Josaphat; and Josaphat fathered Joram; and Joram fathered Ozias;
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:9
KJV: 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
KJVu: 9 And Ozias fathered Joatham; and Joatham fathered Achaz; and Achaz fathered Ezekias;
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:10
KJV: 10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
KJVu: 10 And Ezekias fathered Manasses; and Manasses fathered Amon; and Amon fathered Josias;
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:11
KJV: 11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon :
KJVu: 11 And Josias fathered Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon .
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:12
KJV: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
KJVu: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias fathered Salathiel; and Salathiel fathered Zorobabel;
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:13
KJV: 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
KJVu: 13 And Zorobabel fathered Abiud; and Abiud fathered Eliakim; and Eliakim fathered Azor;
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:14
KJV: 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
KJVu: 14 And Azor fathered Sadoc; and Sadoc fathered Achim; and Achim fathered Eliud;
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:15
KJV: 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
KJVu: 15 And Eliud fathered Eleazar; and Eleazar fathered Matthan; and Matthan fathered Jacob;
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:16
KJV: 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
KJVu: 16 And Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Note: See note on use of "begat" in Mat. 1:2
Matthew 1:17
KJV: 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations ; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations ; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
KJVu: 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are 14 generations , and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are 14 generations , and from the carrying away into Babylon to Christ are 14 generations.
Matthew 1:18
KJV: 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
KJVu: 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this way: When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Notes:
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According to Strong’s G3779 "on this wise" means "in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)." Put another way, it is about to tell you what happened, or is about to happen, and how it happened.
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For "espoused" I really wanted to use the "engaged" since it would be very familiar to all readers, but it did not adequately convey the commitment involved between Joseph and Mary, so I chose to use "betrothed" as listed in the Thayers definition. [Webster’s 1828 Dictionary describes betrothed as "Contracted for future marriage." Engagements are broken easily, but in societies where there is a betrothal process there are penalties for breaking the betrothal contract. (see verse 20 below for additional information.)
Matthew 1:19
KJV: 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
KJVu: 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, had in mind to put her away privately.
Note: Strongs G2977 defines "privily" as "privately," while Thayers defines it as "secretly." Both could work, but "privately" sounds and appears closer to "privily," so it was chosen.
Matthew 1:20
KJV: 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
KJVu: 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take to you Mary your wife: for the child who is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Note:
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This verse further highlights why "betrothed" was more appropriate than "engaged" in verse 18 above. Consider this portion of verse 20, as it is written in the KJV, "…fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife…" It does not say "as or for thy wife" as some have translated it. Instead it says "Mary thy wife." This clearly states Mary is already Joseph’s wife. However, during the betrothal period the husband and wife do not live or sleep together - thus she remains a virgin.
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One of my pet peeves is referring to Jesus (our Lord, savior, and creator, God himself) as "that" or "it." As such, I have updated the portion of the verse that says "…that which is conceived in her…" to "…the child who is conceived in her…"
Matthew 1:21
KJV: 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS : for he shall save his people from their sins.
KJVu: 21 And she shall give birth to a son, and you shall call his name JESUS ; for he shall save his people from their sins. "
Note: Strong’s G5088 Thayer’s definition for "forth" is "of a woman giving birth."
Matthew 1:22
KJV: 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
KJVu: 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
Note:
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"Of" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G5259 with a Bible Usage of: "among by from in of under with." Thayer’s definition is "by, under." In the context of this verse, "by" makes the most sense.
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"By" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G1223 with both a Strong’s and Thayer’s definition of "through"
Matthew 1:23
KJV: 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
KJVu: 23 "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, " which is being interpreted, "God with us. "
Matthew 1:24
KJV: 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife :
KJVu: 24 Then Joseph being awaken from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took to him his wife ,
Note:
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"Raised" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G1326 with a Bible Usage of: "arise awake raise stir up." Thayer’s definition is "to wake up, awaken, arouse (from sleep)." In the context of this verse, "awaken" makes the most sense.
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"Bidden" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G4367 with a Bible Usage of: "bid command." Thayer’s definition is "to enjoin, order, prescribe, command." In the context of this verse, "commanded" makes the most sense.
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Note
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This verse is presented two different ways in the reviewed translations. The four Textus Receptus (TR) translations (including KJV) are written to state Mary was already Joseph’s wife during the betrothal period "took unto him his wife (KJV)" (see verse 18 above). Of the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus (S&V) based translations reviewed, three of the five are worded similar to this: "took Mary as his wife" which infers this is the moment that Mary became Joseph’s wife. As expected, the KJVu follows the KJV in wording and meaning. |
Matthew 1:25
KJV: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son : and he called his name JESUS.
KJVu: 25 And did not know her until she had given birth to her firstborn son ; and he called his name JESUS.
Notes:
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"Knew/Know" Update 02/24/2022: After settling on "lay" in this verse. A person on Gab suggested that it too seemed archaic and offered several suggestions. Some were too explicit, but "sleep/slept" seemed to be an acceptable option. In addition, I thought the past-tense of lay could be considered vulgar. After praying about it, I feel the Holy Spirit is leading me back to using "know/knew." As a Jewish idiom, it must be figured out the first time it is encountered. The verses are such it can easily be determined what it is referring to. For example, Gen. 4:1 is where it is first introduced, "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived…" Most other uses are equally clear. Original Thoughts: "Knew," Strong’s G1097 is another word that KJV readers are very comfortable with that may confuse others. In this context, Thayer’s defines it as "Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman." Some translations are too long and/or explicit here. In looking for something that is more recognizable than "knew," short, to the point, and not overtly explicit, I came across "lay" in 2 Sam. 12:24. "And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him."
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"Till" highlighted in the KJV verse is Strong’s G2193 with a Thayer’s definition of "till, until." Either works, but "until" is more appropriate in modern formal writing, while "till" carries a more youthful and slang meaning.
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See note on use of "forth" in Mat. 1:21