Genealogy. Genealogical lists are found all through the historical books of the Old Testament. One great object in the preservation of these genealogical lists was to note Christ's descent. The first biblical genealogy is that of Cain's descendants, Genesis 4:16-24; then that of Seth. The tenth and eleventh chapters of Genesis are regarded by ethnologists as invaluable, since they contain a history of the dispersion of the nations in prehistoric times. The first eight chapters of 1 Chronicles are devoted to genealogical accounts, beginning with Adam, because, as it is stated, "all Israel were reckoned by genealogies." 1 Chronicles 9:1.

Genealogy of Jesus Christ.—Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38. This is the only genealogy given us in the New Testament We have two lists of the human ancestors of Christ: Matthew, writing for Jewish Christians, begins with Abraham; Luke, writing for Gentile Christians, goes back to Adam, the father of all men. John 1:1-18, begins his gospel by setting forth Christ's divine genealogy. The explanation of the differences in these two lists is, 1. One, or perhaps two, levirate marriages in the family of Joseph—i.e., a marriage of a man to the childless widow of his elder brother, the children of the second marriage being reckoned as the legal descendants of the first husband. 2. That Matthew gives the legal or royal genealogy of Joseph, Luke the private line of Joseph. 3. That Matthew gives the genealogy of Joseph, Luke the genealogy of Mary. The Davidic descent of Jesus is a mark of the Messiah, and is clearly taught in the prophecy, and also in Romans 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 7:14; John 7:42; Acts 13:23.

Bibliography Information
Rice, Edwin Wilbur, DD. Entry for 'Genealogy'. People's Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/rpd/g/genealogy.html. 1893.

Bible Dictionaries Genealogy

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Bible Dictionaries
Genealogy