Ruth 4 19

Ruth 4:19 kjv

And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,

Ruth 4:19 nkjv

Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab;

Ruth 4:19 niv

Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab,

Ruth 4:19 esv

Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab,

Ruth 4:19 nlt

Hezron was the father of Ram.
Ram was the father of Amminadab.

Ruth 4 verses

Ruth 4 19 Meaning

Ruth 4:19 traces the immediate lineage that continues the story from Perez through Hezron, Ram, and Amminadab. This verse is a vital link in the broader genealogical record provided at the end of the Book of Ruth. It serves to bridge the family line of Boaz, through whom redemption was wrought in Bethlehem, directly to King David, anticipating the future royal lineage. Its inclusion confirms the legal and generational continuity of the messianic line, emphasizing divine sovereignty and faithfulness in unfolding His redemptive plan through successive generations.

Ruth 4 19 Context

Ruth 4:19 appears at the very end of the Book of Ruth, serving as the capstone to the entire narrative. The immediate context (Ruth 4:18-22) is a concluding genealogical appendix. This list provides the "payoff" for the preceding story of loss, loyalty, and redemption. After Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer, takes Ruth as his wife and secures the lineage and land of Elimelech, their son Obed becomes the grandfather of King David. The inclusion of this genealogy establishes the direct and vital link between the family line in Bethlehem and the future royal house of Israel.

Historically, genealogies were paramount in ancient Israelite society. They authenticated claims to tribal identity, land inheritance, priestly office, and eventually, kingship. In a period characterized by the moral decay and chaos described in the Book of Judges, the quiet unfolding of this divinely preserved lineage highlights God's steadfastness and purpose. The meticulous tracing of ancestry points towards the anticipated promise of a king and ultimately, the Messiah, a righteous ruler from the tribe of Judah.

Ruth 4 19 Word Analysis

• Hezron (Hebrew: Heshron, חֶצְרוֹן):

  • This name means "enclosed" or "courtyard."
  • Hezron is mentioned first here as a son of Perez, who was one of Judah's twin sons by Tamar (Gen 38:29, 46:12).
  • His inclusion links this line directly to the tribe of Judah, the tribe prophesied to hold the royal scepter (Gen 49:10).
  • He is the head of the Hezronite clan, one of the primary branches of the tribe of Judah (Num 26:21). His place at the beginning of this segment anchors the Davidic line firmly in Judah.

• begat (Hebrew: yalad, יָלַד):

  • This verb is frequently used in biblical genealogies, literally meaning "to give birth to" (for a female) or "to father" (for a male).
  • Its repetitive use emphasizes generational continuity, indicating direct biological descent.
  • More than mere physical reproduction, "begat" in a biblical genealogical context implies divine Providence in guiding human procreation for specific redemptive purposes. Each "begetting" is not by chance but by the sovereign hand of God orchestrating the lineage.

• Ram (Hebrew: Ram, רָם):

  • Meaning "exalted" or "high."
  • Ram is Hezron's son, forming the next direct link in the chain (1 Chr 2:9-10).
  • While not prominent in individual biblical narratives, his name appears consistently in all Davidic and Messianic genealogies, signifying his crucial role as an indispensable link in God's appointed succession. His significance comes purely from his place in the chosen lineage leading to the King.

• Amminadab (Hebrew: Amminadav, עַמִּינָדָב):

  • This name means "my kinsman is noble" or "my people are generous."
  • Amminadab is a more historically prominent figure than Ram. His daughter, Elisheba, became the wife of Aaron, Moses' brother, thus linking this tribe of Judah lineage to the prominent Levitical priestly line (Exod 6:23).
  • He was also the father of Nahshon, a chief of the tribe of Judah and a prince among the tribes of Israel during the Exodus (Num 1:7, 2:3, 7:12). Nahshon's sister Elisheba married Aaron, thus linking the Judahite royalty to the Aaronic priesthood.
  • His inclusion demonstrates God's intricate weaving of significant family lines together, all serving His greater purpose, culminating in the Christ.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab": This phrase explicitly details two direct paternal connections in the continuous lineage. The repeated structure "A begat B, and B begat C" emphasizes the precise and uninterrupted flow of generations. In a patriarchal society where male lineage was foundational for identity, land, and promise, this precision underscores the legitimacy and continuity of this specific line. It implies God's consistent working across generations, often through ordinary individuals, to preserve the necessary lineage for the coming Messiah. The quiet and unheroic nature of some of these individuals highlights that God's plan is not dependent on human greatness but on His sovereign faithfulness.

Ruth 4 19 Bonus Section

• Purpose of Genealogies: Biblical genealogies like this one are not merely dry lists of names. They serve critical theological purposes: to establish claims to identity and inheritance, demonstrate the fulfillment of God's promises, authenticate tribal or royal lines, and most profoundly, to trace the pre-ordained path to the Messiah. This genealogy at the close of Ruth links the kindness shown to a Moabite woman directly into the stream of God's redemptive history, highlighting the inclusion of gentiles in the broader plan.
• Divine Faithfulness in Obscurity: Many names in this and other biblical genealogies (like Ram) have little or no other scriptural mention of their personal deeds or character. Their inclusion points to the powerful truth that God works through generations, even through those whose lives are not highlighted for extraordinary accomplishments. Their "heroism" is in being faithfully present in their generation, serving as a divinely ordained link in a chain much larger than themselves. This emphasizes that God's plan unfolds by His will and not solely through the "great" individuals, demonstrating His sovereign choice and steadfast faithfulness through successive, sometimes obscure, generations.
• Bridging Books and Eras: This genealogy acts as a powerful bridge. It links the pre-monarchical period of Judges (where Ruth's story is set) with the coming Davidic monarchy. It transforms the often-bleak narrative of Judges with a glimmer of hope and purpose, foreshadowing the establishment of a righteous king for Israel from this very lineage. It thereby establishes the foundation for the books of Samuel and Kings, anticipating God's fulfillment of His covenant promises for an enduring throne.

Ruth 4 19 Commentary

Ruth 4:19, like the other verses in this concluding genealogy, is profoundly significant despite its brevity. It bridges the family narrative of Ruth and Boaz, and their child Obed, to the much larger unfolding divine history that culminates in King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. This verse moves beyond the personal joy of Ruth's redemption to underscore the redemptive thread that spans generations, securing the Davidic lineage.

Each name, from Hezron (a son of Perez and Judah) to Amminadab, is a vital link, affirming the precise unfolding of God's promise. The phrase "begat" signifies divine oversight in the succession, not just natural procreation. It speaks to God's patient, hidden work through history, often through individuals who are otherwise obscure in scripture. Their ultimate significance is found in their place within God's specific purpose for the Messianic line. This genealogy transforms a local story of faithfulness and redemption into an integral part of God's overarching covenant history, showing how humble obedience in Bethlehem led to the lineage from which Israel's greatest king, and indeed the King of Kings, would emerge. It reminds us that even seemingly mundane events are part of God's grand tapestry of redemption.