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 breeze past these names, but look closely: Matthew includes Rahab (a foreigner and former prostitute) and Ruth (a Moabite woman) in Jesus' lineage. This shows God's incredible grace, deliberately weaving people from outside Israel into the very tapestry of salvation history, making the Messiah's arrival a story for all nations.
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 verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through King David and then further into the past. It highlights the inclusion of significant non-Israelite women, Rahab and Ruth, in Jesus' ancestry, subtly demonstrating God's inclusive plan even before Jesus' birth. This focus on lineage sets the stage for the announcement of Jesus' miraculous conception in the verses that follow.
The lineage of Jesus includes a woman from Jericho, a city condemned by God. How did she end up in the family line of the Messiah?
Matthew's genealogy doesn't shy away from including Rahab, a Gentile from Jericho. She's identified as the mother of Boaz. This is incredibly significant because Jericho was meant to be utterly destroyed, and its people were enemies of Israel. Yet, Rahab's act of faith in hiding the Israelite spies (Joshua 2:1-14) led to her salvation and inclusion. Her story shows that God's plan of redemption is not limited to any one nation. It's open to anyone who trusts in Him, regardless of their background or past.
Another woman in Jesus' lineage is Ruth, a Moabite. What does her inclusion tell us about God's heart for the marginalized?
Ruth, a Moabite, is named as the mother of Obed, who is Jesse's father. Moabites were descendants of Lot and were often viewed with suspicion and hostility by Israelites due to historical conflicts and prohibitions against Moabites entering the assembly of the Lord (Deuteronomy 23:3). However, Ruth's unwavering loyalty and devotion to her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, and her commitment to the God of Israel demonstrated a profound faith. Her story, detailed in the book of Ruth, shows God elevating her from a foreigner to a vital part of the Messianic line. It underscores that God's grace extends beyond ethnic and cultural lines, valuing steadfast love and faithfulness above all.
The generations listed seem sparse, spanning hundreds of years with few names. What does this tell us about God's timing and faithfulness?
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When you look at the span of time between Salmon and Jesse, it's significant – potentially centuries. Yet, only three generations (Salmon, Boaz, Obed) are listed before Jesse. This sparseness isn't an oversight; it highlights God's patient and deliberate plan. It suggests that individuals like Salmon, Boaz, and Obed likely lived exceptionally long lives, perhaps reflecting a divine blessing or the context of an era with longer lifespans (as seen with figures like Moses and Caleb). More importantly, it shows God weaving His plan together across vast stretches of time, faithfully bringing forth the lineage promised from Abraham and David. Each name, even those not explicitly detailed, plays a part in His unfolding redemptive story, demonstrating His consistent faithfulness even when human timelines seem stretched.
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.
Matthew's genealogy highlights God's surprising inclusion of non-Israelites like Rahab and Ruth into the lineage of Jesus, demonstrating His grace extends beyond ethnic boundaries and His sovereign plan works through unexpected circumstances.
c. 1400 BC
Exodus and Conquest of Canaan
The Israelites, led by Joshua, crossed the Jordan River and began the conquest of Canaan. Rahab of Jericho hid the Israelite spies during this period, an act of faith that saved her family.
c. 1350 BC— this verse
Rahab marries Salmon
Tradition holds that Rahab, the former inhabitant of Jericho, married Salmon, a descendant of Judah. This union integrated her into the Israelite lineage, despite the prohibition against marrying foreigners.
c. 1100 BC
Ruth and Boaz in Bethlehem
The book of Ruth tells the story of Ruth, a Moabitess, who marries Boaz in Bethlehem. This union highlights God's redemptive plan, incorporating a foreigner into the lineage of David and eventually Jesus.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Dynasty Established
David, a descendant of Boaz and Ruth, is established as king over Israel, fulfilling promises of a lasting dynasty.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Kingdom of Judah falls to Babylon, and many Israelites, including those of David's line, are exiled. This event marks a significant disruption to the Davidic monarchy.
This passage directly follows the story of Ruth and Boaz, showing the birth of Obed to Ruth and Boaz, and his lineage leading to David, underscoring the significance of these women in the messianic line.
Joshua 6:25This verse highlights Rahab's survival and integration into Israel with her family, setting the stage for her future marriage and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus.
Hebrews 11:31This verse praises Rahab's faith and the act of hiding the spies, marking her as a significant figure of faith outside of Israel, which is foundational to her inclusion in Jesus' genealogy.
1 Samuel 17:12This verse explicitly states that Jesse, Obed's father, was an old man when David was young, providing context for the generations mentioned in Matthew 1:5 and illustrating the longevity of lives during that period.
Matthew 1:1-3This passage immediately precedes verse 5 and establishes the Abrahamic lineage, providing the foundational context for the genealogy that includes Salmon and continues through Boaz, Obed, and Jesse.
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,…
It's easy to breeze past these names, but look closely: Matthew includes Rahab (a foreigner and former prostitute) and Ruth (a Moabite woman) in Jesus' lineage. This shows God's incredible grace, deliberately weaving people from outside Israel into the very tapestry of salvation history, making the Messiah's arrival a story for all nations.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through King David and then further into the past. It highlights the inclusion of significant non-Israelite women, Rahab and Ruth, in Jesus' ancestry, subtly demonstrating God's inclusive plan even before Jesus' birth. This focus on lineage sets the stage for the announcement of Jesus' miraculous conception in the verses that follow.
This verse continues the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back through King David and then further into the past. It highlights the inclusion of significant non-Israelite women, Rahab and Ruth, in Jesus' ancestry, subtly demonstrating God's inclusive plan even before Jesus' birth. This focus on lineage sets the stage for the announcement of Jesus' miraculous conception in the verses that follow.
"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 breeze past these names, but look closely: Matthew includes Rahab (a foreigner and former prostitute) and Ruth (a Moabite woman) in Jesus' lineage. This shows God's incredible grace, del…
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Last reviewed October 2026