Translating Matthew (Mt 1:1b,c)

Translating Matthew (Mt 1:1b,c)

I'm eager to continue discussing the translation of the Gospel of Matthew into English.

Today I'll finish verse 1!

Last week I briefly discussed the first two phrases, giving a simple translation:

book of genesis
of Jesus (the) Messiah  

I avoided the usual translation of 'genesis' as 'genealogy' because 'genealogy' misses the narrative dimensions implied by a 'book of genesis (of Jesus)'. The so-called genealogy (verses 2-17) is actually more than genealogical as it also tells a story (see next post).

The 'Messiah' is more literally (the) Anointed. The 'the' is not present, so Anointed/Messiah is primarily functioning as a name for Jesus at this point (hence 'Jesus Christ'). This doesn't mean that 'Messiah' cannot also be a title here - especially as the name (Jesus Messiah) is followed immediately by two titles:

son of David 
υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ

son of Abraham
υἱοῦ Ἀβραάμ

So in the final two phrases of verse 1, we have a Messianic title 'Son of David', namely a redeemer thought to be foretold by biblical prophesies (as the one who would restore David's throne). But also it could mean 'one like David' namely another 'Solomon' (having Solomon characteristics/traits). 

The other title 'son of Abraham' simply expresses a state of 'Jewishness' but also recalls the earlier promises given to Abraham who represents a point in the story of Genesis not simply beginning a new era but in fact highlights how everything begins (again) with Abraham (hence I can somewhat understand Davies & Allison seeing a 'New Creation' implication here, see previous post). 

Abraham is the one chosen to be the ‘father’ of a nation and ultimately ‘father of many nations’ (Gen 17:4)—the one from whom blessing will flow to ‘all the families of the earth’. Readers might also be encouraged to think of Abraham as the original ‘proselyte’ (a Gentile convert, Gen 12:1–2). Abraham is basically the first Jew (Judean).

An elaborated translation of Mt 1:1  

(This is) An account of the origin of Jesus (the) Messiah son of (and heir to the throne of) David and son of (and heir to the promise to) Abraham.