Definition: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 1:12. It’s a really interesting and somewhat mysterious beginning to the story of Jesus’ life! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that when God chose to send his son, Jesus, into the world, he didn't just send him – he also set up a chain of events where things started with a young boy named Jechonias and then led to the birth of a man named Zorobabel. Let’s unpack it layer by layer: “And after they were brought to Babylon…” - This refers to the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery in Egypt. God decided to take him to Babylon as a kind of “test” – a chance for him to learn about God's plan and perhaps even be used to become an important figure. “…Jechonias begat Salathiel…” - This means Jechonias (which is a Hebrew name) conceived or gave birth to Salathiel. “and Salathiel begat Zorobabel…” – This is the crucial part! Salathiel’s child, Zorobabel, was born. So, what does it mean ? This verse suggests a series of events orchestrated by God. It's like a chain reaction: 1. God’s Choice: God decided to send Jesus into the world. 2. A Starting Point: Jechonias became the beginning of this chain – he was the first person born. 3. The Next Step: Salathiel, born from Jechonias, gave birth to Zorobabel. Why is this significant? It’s a foundational story: It's one of the earliest and most detailed accounts of Jesus' origins in the Bible. It introduces a prophecy: The verse implies that God has a plan for the future, and it starts with a specific person to fulfill that plan. It establishes a lineage: The verse hints at a family – the birth of Salathiel and Zorobabel – which becomes important for understanding the history of Israel. Important Note: The Bible doesn’t give us a complete explanation of what these names mean or what role each person played. It's more about establishing a beginning point for God’s plan. --- Resources to explore further (optional): Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/charts](https://www.biblegateway.com/charts) - You can see the verse in context with other Bible passages. Wikipedia – Matthew 1:12: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_1:_12](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_1:_12) Would you like me to explain any of these points in more detail, or perhaps talk about the significance of this verse within the larger context of Genesis?