and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to skim past names like Ram, Amminadab, and Nahshon, but their inclusion highlights that Jesus' lineage wasn't just kings or prophets, but also leaders of their tribes during crucial moments, like Nahshon, who led Judah in the wilderness. This shows God's intricate plan weaving ordinary, yet appointed, individuals into the grand narrative of salvation.
and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage all the way back to Abraham. It follows the male line, listing ancestors and their descendants, with a focus on ensuring Jesus' royal and Abrahamic heritage. This specific verse continues the line from Ram through Amminadab and Nahshon, culminating with Salmon, a key figure who, according to other scriptures, led the tribe of Judah.
These names might seem like just a list, but behind each one lies a story of God's unfolding plan.
In Matthew's genealogy, we see names that don't always stand out in the historical narrative. Think of Ram, Amminadab, and Nahshon. While not as prominent as Abraham or David, their inclusion is crucial. They represent generations that lived through periods of both prosperity and hardship in the land, or even in exile. God used ordinary lives, often unrecorded in detail, to carry forward the lineage that would eventually lead to Jesus. Each generation, whether marked by significant events or quiet faithfulness, played its part in God's grand design. This reminds us that even if our lives feel small or unobserved, God has a purpose for us within His larger story.
Some of these ancestors held positions of authority, shaping their tribes and influencing the unfolding history of Israel.
Within this lineage, figures like Nahshon emerge with specific roles. We learn he was a 'prince' or 'head' of the tribe of Judah during the Exodus. This wasn't just an honorary title; it meant leadership, responsibility, and representation for his people. His father, Amminadab, and his son, Salmon, were also part of this influential line. Their roles highlight how identity and purpose were often tied to tribal and national leadership in ancient Israel. Jesus, by tracing His lineage through these significant figures, roots Himself in the very history and leadership structures of His people, showing He is the promised King and Messiah for Israel.
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Rachab · Greek Noun
A Canaanite woman from Jericho who hid the Israelite spies. Her inclusion in the lineage of the Messiah highlights God's grace in incorporating Gentiles and those with complicated histories into the redemptive plan.
Routh · Greek Noun
A Moabite widow who demonstrated remarkable loyalty to her mother-in-law and faith in the God of Israel. Her story illustrates that the blessings of the covenant are available to those outside of ethnic Israel who choose to trust in the Lord.
This genealogy highlights key figures and moments from the Exodus and the establishment of the Davidic kingdom, showing Jesus' lineage directly connected to God's promises to Israel's leaders and the nation's covenant history.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Israelites Numbered in Sinai
Nahshon, prince of the tribe of Judah, was officially recognized during the census in the Sinai wilderness, shortly after the Exodus from Egypt.
c. 1406 BC
Joshua Leads Conquest of Canaan
Following Moses' death, Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, initiating the conquest and division of Canaan among the tribes.
c. 1047 BC
David Anointed King of Israel
David, a descendant of Nahshon and Salmon, was anointed king, establishing a united monarchy and fulfilling prophecies of an everlasting throne.
c. 970 BC
Solomon Succeeds David
Solomon, David's son, inherited the throne, building the First Temple and marking a golden age for Israel, though his reign eventually saw spiritual decline.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and exiled many Israelites, marking a severe break in the Davidic line's political power.
538 BC
Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, beginning the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of their community, though under foreign rule.
This passage provides the same lineage as Matthew 1:4, showing the direct ancestral line from Ram through Nahshon to Salmon, highlighting its importance in the continuity of David's line.
1 Chronicles 2:10-12This passage lists many of the same individuals in the genealogy, specifically mentioning Nahshon as a prince of Judah and Salmon as his son, reinforcing the significance of this lineage within the tribe of Judah.
Numbers 1:7This verse identifies Nahshon as the prince (or chieftain) of the tribe of Judah during the Exodus, underscoring his leadership role and importance during a pivotal moment in Israel's history, and by extension, the significance of his descendants.
Matthew 1:1-3This immediately preceding section details the ancestors of Ram, providing the earlier part of the same royal lineage that includes Ram, thus giving context to the specific individuals named in verse 4.
Luke 3:31-32Luke's genealogy also includes Nahshon and Salmon, but traces Jesus' lineage through a different son of David (Nathan), demonstrating that while the specific path might differ, the inclusion of key figures like Salmon highlights the established lines leading to the Messiah.
bensonMatthew 1:4: "And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;"
Matthew 1:4 . And Aram begat Aminadab — Of these, to Jesse, little is said in Scripture, for either they lived in slavery in Egypt, or in trouble in the wilderness, or in obscurity in Canaan before the kingdom was settled. Naasson, as we learn Numbers 1:7 , was head of the house of Judah, not, as some through mistake have affirmed, when the Israelites entered Canaan, but when they were numbered and mar…
pulpitMatthew 1:4: "And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;"
Verse 4. - And Naasson ( Nahshon, Revised Version) begat Salmon. This line of descent, from Nahshon to David, is also given by St. Luke (Luke 3:31, 32), and is derived from Ruth 4:18-22. But it has occasioned some difficulty, because it makes but five steps from Nahshon, who (Numbers 1:7) was one of the heads of fathers' houses at the time of the Exodus, to the days of David. According to the chronolog…
It's easy to skim past names like Ram, Amminadab, and Nahshon, but their inclusion highlights that Jesus' lineage wasn't just kings or prophets, but also leaders of their tribes during crucial moments, like Nahshon, who led Judah in the wilderness. This shows God's intricate plan weaving ordinary, yet appointed, individuals into the grand narrative of salvation.
This passage is part of Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage all the way back to Abraham. It follows the male line, listing ancestors and their descendants, with a focus on ensuring Jesus' royal and Abrahamic heritage. This specific verse continues the line from Ram through Amminadab and Nahshon, culminating with Salmon, a key figure who, according to other scriptures, led the tribe of Judah.
This passage is part of Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage all the way back to Abraham. It follows the male line, listing ancestors and their descendants, with a focus on ensuring Jesus' royal and Abrahamic heritage. This specific verse continues the line from Ram through Amminadab and Nahshon, culminating with Salmon, a key figure who, according to other scriptures, led the tribe of Judah.
"and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse," — It's easy to skim past names like Ram, Amminadab, and Nahshon, but their inclusion highlights that Jesus' lineage wasn't just kings or prophets, but also leaders of their tribes during crucial moment…
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Last reviewed October 2026