Matthew 1:5
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)
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What's easily missed is how this verse celebrates women who were outsiders and even considered scandalous in their time. Rahab, a former prostitute, and Ruth, a foreigner from Moab, are both honored ancestors in Jesus's lineage, showing God's surprising grace in bringing salvation through unexpected channels. This highlights that God's plan for redemption transcends social status and national origin.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through important figures in Israel's history. It highlights the inclusion of non-Israelite women, Rahab and Ruth, in Jesus' ancestry, demonstrating God's plan unfolding through diverse people and circumstances. This sets the stage for understanding Jesus not just as a descendant of Abraham and David, but as part of a broader, unfolding salvation history.
What do a former 'harlot' from Jericho and a woman from Moab have in common?
Matthew's genealogy isn't just a list of names; it's a powerful statement of God's grace. By including Rahab, a Canaanite woman known for her questionable past, and Ruth, a foreigner from Moab, Matthew shows that God's plan of salvation is for everyone. These weren't the typical 'heroes' of Israelite society, yet God used them to bring forth the Messiah. It challenges our own assumptions about who is 'in' and who is 'out' of God's favor.
How could people live long enough to have children nearly a century apart?
The seemingly short span of generations in this verse—Salmon to Boaz, Boaz to Obed, Obed to Jesse—suggests incredibly long lifespans for these individuals. This wasn't just good luck; it points to a God who works across vast stretches of time and grants longevity to those who honor Him. It speaks to a faith that trusts in God's long-term promises, waiting patiently for His purposes to unfold, even across centuries.
Understand the original words
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 God's surprising inclusion of non-Israelites like Rahab and Ruth into the lineage of Jesus, demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises even through tumultuous historical periods like the conquest of Canaan and the Babylonian exile.
c. 1400 BC
Fall of Jericho
The Israelites, led by Joshua, conquer and destroy the city of Jericho. Rahab, a Jericho resident who aided the Israelite spies, is spared and becomes a convert.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Rahab marries Salmon
Rahab, a Canaanite woman, marries Salmon, a prominent Israelite from the tribe of Judah. This union, though crossing ethnic and religious lines, integrates her into the lineage of Israel.
c. 1300-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
A tumultuous era in Israelite history marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance, during which tribal leadership prevailed.
c. 1000 BC
Kingdom Established under David
David, a descendant of Boaz and Ruth, unites the tribes and establishes a strong monarchy, with Jerusalem as the capital.
This passage directly follows the story of Ruth and Boaz, showing Boaz taking Ruth as his wife and their son Obed being born, confirming the lineage presented in Matthew.
1 Samuel 16:1This verse explicitly states that Jesse is the father of David, picking up the lineage from Matthew 1:6 and highlighting the significance of Jesse as the ancestor of the royal line.
Hebrews 11:31This verse in the Hall of Faith highlights Rahab's act of faith in hiding the spies, providing context for her inclusion in Jesus' lineage and showing how God uses unlikely individuals.
Joshua 6:25This verse records that Rahab and her family were spared and settled in Israel, explaining how she, a foreigner, could become part of the Israelite lineage leading to Jesus.
Ruth 4:18-22This genealogy at the end of the book of Ruth provides a parallel account of the lineage from Perez to David, confirming the names Boaz, Obed, and Jesse and their order.
bensonMatthew 1:5: "And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;"
Matthew 1:5. Salmon begat Booz of Rachab — Viz., after their settlement in Canaan. It is not exact said that this woman was Rahab of Jericho, commonly called the harlot, but it is highly probable she was; for that Rahab was contemporary with Salmon, and a remarkable person, and there was no other of that name, especially of that age, of whom the compiler of the table could possibly suppose his rea…
meyerMatthew 1:5: "And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;"
Matthew 1:5 . Boaz is also called, in Ruth 4:21 and 1 Chronicles 2:11 , son of Salma; but his mother Rahab is not mentioned. The author without doubt drew from a tradition which was then current, and presupposed as known (according to Ewald it was apocryphal), which gave Salma as a wife to her who had risen to honour by her conduct in. Jericho ( Hebrews 11:31 ; Jam 2:25 ). The difficulties which,…
What's easily missed is how this verse celebrates women who were outsiders and even considered scandalous in their time. Rahab, a former prostitute, and Ruth, a foreigner from Moab, are both honored ancestors in Jesus's lineage, showing God's surprising grace in bringing salvation through unexpected channels. This highlights that God's plan for redemption transcends social status and national origin.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through important figures in Israel's history. It highlights the inclusion of non-Israelite women, Rahab and Ruth, in Jesus' ancestry, demonstrating God's plan unfolding through diverse people and circumstances. This sets the stage for understanding Jesus not just as a descendant of Abraham and David, but as part of a broader, unfolding salvation history.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through important figures in Israel's history. It highlights the inclusion of non-Israelite women, Rahab and Ruth, in Jesus' ancestry, demonstrating God's plan unfolding through diverse people and circumstances. This sets the stage for understanding Jesus not just as a descendant of Abraham and David, but as part of a broader, unfolding salvation history.
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c. 960 BC
Reign of Solomon and Temple Construction
David's son Solomon reigns, ushering in a golden age for Israel, marked by the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Jerusalem and destroys the First Temple, exiling much of the Jewish population. This marks a significant disruption in Davidic lineage continuity.
"and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse," — What's easily missed is how this verse celebrates women who were outsiders and even considered scandalous in their time. Rahab, a former prostitute, and Ruth, a foreigner from Moab, are both honored…
