Ruth 4 21

Ruth 4:21 kjv

And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,

Ruth 4:21 nkjv

Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed;

Ruth 4:21 niv

Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed,

Ruth 4:21 esv

Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed,

Ruth 4:21 nlt

Salmon was the father of Boaz.
Boaz was the father of Obed.

Ruth 4 verses

Ruth 4 21 Meaning

Ruth 4:21 details a segment of the patriarchal line, specifically stating the direct descent from Salmon to Boaz, and from Boaz to Obed. This genealogical fragment serves a critical role within the Book of Ruth, tying the story of Ruth, Boaz, and Naomi to the grander narrative of Israel's history by establishing the immediate ancestry of King David. It is not merely a list of names but a crucial link demonstrating God's sovereign plan unfolding through individuals to raise up the promised king.

Ruth 4 21 Context

The Book of Ruth narrates the journey of Naomi and Ruth from Moab back to Bethlehem during the period of the Judges. It unfolds Ruth's faithful devotion to Naomi, their struggle for survival, Boaz's role as their kinsman-redeemer, and ultimately, the marriage of Boaz and Ruth. Ruth 4 concludes the narrative with the legal processes for the redemption of land and the perpetuation of family name. The last section, verses 4:18-22, presents a genealogy that ties the story to a larger redemptive framework. This genealogy, of which verse 21 is a part, highlights that the lineage established through Boaz and Ruth's son, Obed, directly leads to Jesse and, significantly, to King David. In a culture where genealogies were crucial for identity, inheritance, and the fulfillment of promises, this final section demonstrates how the personal acts of faithfulness and redemption culminated in the birth of Israel's greatest king, pointing to God's sovereign hand in history.

Ruth 4 21 Word analysis

• Salmon (שַׂלְמוֹן, Salmōn): A son of Nahshon, from the tribe of Judah (1 Chr 2:11), Salmon's main significance in the biblical record is his role as an ancestor in the line that leads to King David. Matthew's Gospel identifies his wife as Rahab (Matt 1:5), linking him to the faithful harlot from Jericho who aided the Israelite spies. This connection, while not explicit in Ruth, integrates the thread of divine grace working through unexpected figures. His inclusion here emphasizes continuity from the wilderness generation through the Judges period.
• was the father of (הוֹלִיד, holid): This verb means "begot," "gave birth to," or "became the father of." It is the standard Hebrew term for direct lineal descent in genealogies. Its use here clearly indicates the immediate paternal relationship between Salmon and Boaz, and then Boaz and Obed, signifying a direct and verifiable link in the lineage. In genealogical contexts, this word maintains a specific precision, not typically allowing for gaps in direct generation unless context explicitly implies otherwise.
• Boaz (בֹּעַז, Boʿaz): The name means "in him is strength" or "strength is in him." Boaz is presented as a wealthy, respected, and righteous man in Bethlehem. He serves as the kinsman-redeemer (go’el) who acts justly and mercifully to Naomi and Ruth, demonstrating Israel's covenant obligations and virtues. His role is central to the narrative, providing the mechanism for Ruth's redemption and ensuring the continuation of Elimelech's family line, which importantly becomes David's lineage.
• Obed (עוֹבֵד, ʿŌḇēḏ): Meaning "serving" or "worshiper." Obed is the son born to Boaz and Ruth. While only briefly mentioned in Ruth beyond his birth, his existence is the critical pivot for the book's theological message. He represents the fruit of faithfulness, redemption, and God's providential care, ensuring the Messianic line proceeds through David.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Salmon was the father of Boaz,": This phrase firmly connects Boaz, the protagonist of Ruth, to a historically recognized line from the tribe of Judah. It bridges Boaz to the earlier parts of Israel's history, placing him within the lineage of Abraham and Judah, from whom kings were prophesied to come. It affirms his Israelite identity and a foundational place in the unfolding history of the Davidic line.
• "Boaz of Obed,": This short but profoundly significant phrase acts as the immediate link from the story's events to its ultimate historical consequence. It highlights that the compassionate and righteous actions of Boaz and Ruth directly resulted in the birth of Obed, the grandfather of King David. This demonstrates how a seemingly local story of loyalty and redemption played a crucial part in the sovereign plan of God to raise up the promised ruler for His people, bridging the gap from the time of Judges to the establishment of the monarchy.

Ruth 4 21 Bonus section

The brevity of the genealogical accounts in biblical narratives often belies their immense theological weight. While we are given rich detail about Boaz's character in the Book of Ruth, Salmon is a figure about whom very little is explicitly stated. His significance in this verse is almost entirely defined by his linkage within the sacred line that points towards the future kingship. The explicit mention in Matthew's Gospel of Salmon's wife as Rahab, the Jericho prostitute who displayed faith, further elevates the theological point that God's grace and providential guidance often work through individuals and situations that might seem improbable or unconventional. The simplicity of "was the father of" also signifies that these were true, verifiable ancestral connections, providing legitimate foundation for claims to tribal and royal inheritance.

Ruth 4 21 Commentary

Ruth 4:21 is a concise declaration of direct paternal descent, yet its implications are profound. This simple genealogical statement acts as a critical bridge, meticulously connecting the domestic narrative of redemption and kindness in the Book of Ruth to the monumental covenant with King David. It is not merely a record but an intentional design, underscoring God's meticulous care in preserving the lineage through which the promised Messiah would ultimately come. The inclusion of individuals like Salmon, Boaz (from the family of Perez), and Obed highlights that God's plan is woven through various human circumstances, utilizing even the inclusion of a Moabite woman like Ruth (via Boaz) to bring about His sovereign will. It emphasizes that human faithfulness and divine providence work in tandem, setting the stage for the establishment of Israel's greatest dynasty and foreshadowing the arrival of the ultimate King.