Ruth 4 20

Ruth 4:20 kjv

And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,

Ruth 4:20 nkjv

Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon;

Ruth 4:20 niv

Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Ruth 4:20 esv

Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon,

Ruth 4:20 nlt

Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.

Ruth 4 verses

Ruth 4 20 Meaning

This verse details a vital segment of the lineage leading to King David: "And Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon." It explicitly lists three sequential generations, linking Ram through his descendants to Salmon, who is later identified as the father of Boaz. This continuation of the genealogical record from Perez (mentioned in Ruth 4:18) to David (mentioned in Ruth 4:22) is crucial, as it firmly places Boaz within the designated line from which Israel's greatest king and the promised Messiah would emerge.

Ruth 4 20 Context

Ruth 4:20 is situated at the conclusion of the Book of Ruth, within a final genealogical appendix that establishes Boaz's lineage back to Judah and forward to David. The entire chapter focuses on the culmination of the kinsman-redeemer narrative. Following Boaz's redemption of Naomi's land and his marriage to Ruth (Ruth 4:1-12), the people and elders at the city gate pronounce a blessing. They invoke the blessing of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah (Ruth 4:12), explicitly praying for Boaz's house to be like his, ensuring a continuous, legitimate lineage for Judah.

This verse, therefore, serves to fulfill that blessing by demonstrating the actual connection. It meticulously traces the line from Perez's grandson, Ram (or Arni, Hezron's son, Ruth 4:19), through Amminadab and Nahshon, to Salmon, the father of Boaz. Historically, genealogies were paramount in ancient Israel for establishing identity, proving claims to tribal inheritance and land ownership, and verifying legitimacy for priestly or royal succession. This specific genealogy, by connecting Boaz directly to the renowned line of Judah and subsequently to the soon-to-be king David, undergirds the divine narrative of Israel's monarchy and prepares the way for the Messianic lineage, illustrating God's meticulous oversight in unfolding His redemptive plan.

Ruth 4 20 Word analysis

• And (וְ – ve): This simple conjunction serves as a direct link, seamlessly continuing the genealogical chain introduced in Ruth 4:18-19. It indicates a straightforward addition and progression within the record.
• Ram (רָם – Ram): A proper name meaning "high" or "exalted." He is the son of Hezron, as indicated in Ruth 4:19. In other biblical genealogies (e.g., 1 Chr 2:9-10; Matt 1:3; Luke 3:33), he is also known as Aram. His inclusion solidifies this particular branch of Judah's lineage.
• begat (וַיּוֹלֶד – vayyoled): A Hebrew verbal form, the wayyiqtol imperfect consecutive of יָלַד (yalad), which means "to bear," "to give birth to," or "to beget." This is the standard term used in biblical genealogies to denote father-son succession, emphasizing the biological transmission of lineage and identity across generations.
• Amminadab (עַמִּינָדָב – Amminadab): A personal name meaning "my people are generous/noble" or "kinsman of generosity." Amminadab is notable as the father of Nahshon and of Elisheba, who married Aaron the High Priest (Exod 6:23). This connection interweaves the Davidic lineage with the priestly line through a significant family.
• Nahshon (נַחְשׁוֹן – Nahshon): A significant personal name meaning possibly "enchanter" or "shining/leader." Nahshon held a position of considerable authority during the wilderness journey, serving as the "prince" (נָשִׂיא – nasi) of the tribe of Judah (Num 1:7; 2:3). He led Judah in the wilderness and was the first to present an offering after the anointing of the tabernacle. His presence in this genealogy elevates its stature, connecting the royal line of Judah directly to the period of the Exodus and the covenant at Sinai.
• Salmon (שַׂלְמוֹן – Salmon): A proper name meaning "garment," "peaceable," or "shade." Salmon is historically recognized as the husband of Rahab (Matt 1:5), the Gentile woman of Jericho who was saved for her faith during the conquest of Canaan. While Rahab is not explicitly named in the Ruth genealogy, Salmon's identity as her husband connects the royal line to the theme of inclusion of Gentiles, a precursor to the universality of the Messiah's redemptive work.

• Words-group analysis:
  • "And Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon": This highly structured and repetitive phrasing is characteristic of biblical genealogies. It creates a rhythm that underscores continuity and an unbroken chain of succession. Far from being a mere list, this formulaic presentation reinforces the direct, legitimate, and divinely preserved nature of the lineage. The repetition highlights the direct line, ensuring the integrity of the ancestral record and validating the forthcoming generations leading to King David and ultimately to Christ. This simple "begat" format also emphasizes the sovereignty of God, using ordinary human procreation to accomplish extraordinary, pre-ordained plans, meticulously preparing the way for the Davidic dynasty.

Ruth 4 20 Bonus section

• The genealogy in Ruth 4, specifically this verse, functions as a powerful theological statement. It validates the future Davidic monarchy as a legitimate continuation of Judah's scepter (Gen 49:10), showing divine foresight and orchestration from the very beginnings of Israel's tribal structure.
• Biblical genealogies, including this one, are typically selective and serve a specific theological purpose rather than being exhaustive. Here, the aim is clear: to establish the royal Davidic line and confirm its purity and legitimacy.
• The simple, repetitive structure of "A begat B, B begat C" reinforces the divine order and uninterrupted flow of God's redemptive plan through chosen individuals.
• The Book of Ruth, ending with this genealogy, transforms a heartwarming family story into a grand narrative of God's providence, connecting a humble Moabitess to the Messianic lineage, demonstrating His plan unfolds across ethnic and social boundaries.

Ruth 4 20 Commentary

Ruth 4:20 acts as a crucial link within the condensed genealogy presented at the conclusion of the Book of Ruth. It meticulously records three generations: Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, and Salmon. This sequence is not merely a historical footnote but a divinely ordained succession, essential for connecting Boaz—and consequently, David—back to the tribal patriarch Judah, specifically through the line of Perez (Gen 38). The inclusion of Nahshon, the esteemed prince of Judah during the Exodus, adds significant weight and distinction to this lineage, tying the Davidic future to Israel's foundational period of covenant with God. This verse demonstrates God's faithful oversight of history, guiding individual lives and family lines, even in periods of moral and spiritual decline (like the Judges), to bring forth His intended Messiah. It underscores the Bible's teaching that God works through generations and human families to achieve His redemptive purposes, proving that His promises are kept across the ages through a continuous and divinely protected line.