Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.
This verse opens the genealogy of Jesus Christ, beginning with Abraham, the father of faith, with whom God made the covenant of promise (Genesis 22:18). Abraham was the father of Isaac, the son of promise, whose birth testified to the fulfillment of God’s promise. Isaac was the father of Jacob, who received the name Israel, becoming the forefather of the chosen people. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers, among whom Judah was chosen as the founder of the tribe from which the Messiah was to be born (Genesis 49:10). Thus, this verse shows the beginning of the messianic line, the divine chain of faith and promise.