Definition: Which was [the son] of Maath, which was [the son] of Mattathias, which was [the son] of Semei, which was [the son] of Joseph, which was [the son] of Juda,

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Luke 3:26. It’s a very interesting and somewhat unusual starting point for the story of Jesus’ birth! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Verse Says: “Which was [the son] of Maath, which was [the son] of Mattathias, which was [the son] of Semei, which was [the son] of Joseph, which was [the son] of Juda.” Let's unpack each part: “Which was…” : This is a way of saying “This was…” or “This was the child of…”. “Maath” : This is an old Hebrew name, and it means "a warrior" or "a defender." It’s connected to a powerful figure in Jewish history. “Mattathias” : This is a name from the Second Temple period (around the time of Jesus). Mattathias was a tough and rebellious leader who clashed with the religious authorities. He was known for his strong sense of justice. “Semei” : Another old Hebrew name, likely related to “a son.” “Joseph” : This is a very important name – Joseph was the husband of Mary, and the father of Jesus. “Juda” : This refers to the lineage of King David, who is considered the ancestor of both the Jewish people and Jesus. Putting it all together: The verse describes the birth of Jesus , but he wasn’t born in a normal way. His father was a man named Maath, who was a rebellious warrior like Mattathias. He was the son of Mattathias, and so on… It’s a long list of names connecting him to significant figures in Jewish history! Why is this important? This genealogy connects Jesus to the Old Testament stories of kings and heroes. It shows that He is descended from a line of men who were deeply involved in religious conflict and justice – a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah (Jesus). In essence, it's a very unusual starting point for the story of Jesus’ birth because it highlights his family history, which is a central part of Jewish tradition. --- Would you like me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this genealogy in more detail?