Maath is named a single time in the New Testament, Luke 3:26, within Luke’s extended genealogy of Jesus Christ: “the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda” (Berean Standard Bible).

Placement in the Lukan Genealogy

In Luke’s list Maath stands roughly midway between Zerubbabel (Luke 3:27) and Joseph the husband of Mary (Luke 3:23). Counting Luke’s sequence, Maath is about the nineteenth generation after King David (through David’s son Nathan) and approximately the thirteenth generation before Jesus. His location situates him in the post-exilic era, several generations after the return from Babylon (538 BC) yet centuries before the birth of Christ—likely during the early Persian or Hellenistic periods (fifth-to-third centuries BC).

Historical Background and Possible Old Testament Parallels

While Maath is otherwise unknown, Luke’s Greek form corresponds to the Hebrew name “Mahath” (מַחַת), borne by three Levites in the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 6:35; 2 Chronicles 29:12; 2 Chronicles 31:13; Ezra 10:33). The recurrence of a similar name among Levites suggests a priestly or Levitical heritage, fitting Luke’s interest in temple-related details (Luke 1–2). If Maath’s family indeed descended from Levites, his inclusion would reinforce the priestly thread already evident in Luke’s Gospel.

Theological Value of His Inclusion

1. Reliability of Scripture. Even an obscure name such as Maath demonstrates Luke’s careful historiography (Luke 1:3). Scripture preserves each link in the messianic chain, underscoring divine oversight of history.
2. Continuity of Promise. From Abraham to Jesus (Luke 3:34–38), every generation—well-known or hidden—bears witness to God’s unbroken covenant faithfulness (Psalm 105:8–10).
3. Universality of Grace. Luke traces Jesus’ ancestry beyond royal notables to otherwise unknown Israelites. Salvation reaches “all people” (Luke 2:10), not merely the prominent.

Lessons for Ministry

• Obscurity does not diminish significance. Though Maath never occupies center stage, God used him to advance the redemptive storyline. Faithful service in anonymity still matters (1 Corinthians 15:58).
• Heritage and discipleship. A godly lineage, when coupled with personal faith, influences future generations. Parents, teachers, and local church workers build spiritual legacies even when history forgets their names (2 Timothy 1:5).
• Careful record-keeping. Luke’s detailed genealogy encourages churches to preserve testimonies and histories for future proclamation (Psalm 78:4-7).

Christological Significance

Luke’s genealogy concludes with “Jesus, the son of Adam, the son of God” (Luke 3:38). Maath’s solitary mention therefore contributes to a grand narrative: the eternal Son takes true human flesh and inherits a real family history. The incarnate Christ identifies with every generation—including the forgotten—so that He might redeem people from every generation (Hebrews 2:14-17).

Summary

Though Scripture supplies no biography for Maath, his place in Luke 3:26 affirms the meticulous integrity of the Gospel record, the perseverance of God’s covenant plan across centuries, and the vital kingdom role played by everyday believers whose faithfulness is known chiefly to God but forever inscribed in His Word.