17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations.
17. fourteen generations ― Each set of fourteen uses names except for the transition between the 2nd and 3rd set in which the text uses “to the exile of Babylon” instead of a name. This implies that the exile of Babylon was itself a generation without a name. For this reason, Jechoniah is counted twice. Similarly, we find Noah had two toldot (generations) listed as well[1]; as it states, “These are the toldot of Noah: Noah was righteous…Noah had three sons.” Thus, righteousness & children are two toldot[2].
One who repents is regarded as a new creation and new being. Jechoniah’s previous being of wickedness and his being after repentance are regarded as two generations[3].
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