Matthew 1:5

And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

And {G1161} Salmon {G4533} begat {G1080} Booz {G1003} of {G1537} Rachab {G4477}; and {G1161} Booz {G1003} begat {G1080} Obed {G5601} of {G1537} Ruth {G4503}; and {G1161} Obed {G5601} begat {G1080} Jesse {G2421};

Salmon was the father of Bo`az (his mother was Rachav), Bo`az was the father of `Oved (his mother was Rut), `Oved was the father of Yishai,

Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

and Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

Context

Matthew 1:5 is an integral part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, presented at the very beginning of Matthew's Gospel. This lineage traces Joseph's ancestry back to Abraham, establishing Jesus' legal right to the throne of David. For a Jewish audience, such a genealogy was crucial for verifying the Messiah's credentials. What makes this verse particularly notable within a patriarchal lineage is the explicit mention of two women: Rachab (Rahab) and Ruth. Their inclusion, especially as Gentiles, highlights unique aspects of God's redemptive plan.

Key Figures and Their Significance

  • Rachab (Rahab)

    Rahab was a Canaanite woman from Jericho, identified as a harlot, who famously aided the Israelite spies before the conquest of the city. Her story, found in the Book of Joshua, details how her faith saved her and her family from destruction. Her presence in the Messianic line underscores God's grace and His ability to work through unexpected individuals, regardless of their past or ethnic origin.

  • Booz (Boaz)

    Boaz was a wealthy and righteous landowner from Bethlehem. He is known for his kindness and integrity, particularly in his interactions with Ruth. He acted as a kinsman-redeemer for Ruth and Naomi, fulfilling a vital role in preserving the family line and property.

  • Ruth

    Ruth was a Moabitess, a Gentile, who showed incredible loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, choosing to leave her homeland and embrace the God of Israel. Her story is a beautiful narrative of devotion, integrity, and God's providence, culminating in her marriage to Boaz.

  • Obed and Jesse

    Obed was the son of Boaz and Ruth. Obed then begat Jesse, making Jesse the father of King David. This direct connection firmly establishes Jesus' lineage within the royal line of David, fulfilling numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's ancestry.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Providence: This verse beautifully illustrates God's meticulous plan unfolding through history. He orchestrates seemingly ordinary lives and events to fulfill His ultimate redemptive purposes, even involving individuals from diverse or challenging backgrounds.
  • Inclusion of Gentiles: The prominent inclusion of Rahab and Ruth, both Gentile women, is highly significant. It foreshadows the universal nature of God's salvation plan and the inclusion of all people in God's family through Christ, breaking down barriers of ethnicity and background.
  • Grace Over Law: The presence of a former harlot (Rahab) and a Moabitess (Ruth, from a people often at odds with Israel) in the Messiah's lineage underscores God's amazing grace. Their pasts and origins did not disqualify them from being part of God's grand design.
  • Messianic Lineage: The verse systematically links Jesus to the crucial Davidic line, confirming His rightful claim as the promised Messiah and King of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "begat" is a direct translation of the Greek word gennaō (γεννάω), which means "to beget," "to give birth to," or "to produce." In a patriarchal genealogy like this, it specifically denotes the male's role in fathering the next generation, establishing a clear line of descent.

Practical Application

Matthew 1:5 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God's plan is perfect and inclusive, often working through unlikely individuals and circumstances. Your past or background does not disqualify you from being used by God.
  • The Gospel is for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, social status, or past mistakes. The inclusion of Gentiles like Rahab and Ruth in Jesus' lineage powerfully illustrates God's universal love and desire for all to be saved.
  • God is faithful to His promises, meticulously fulfilling His redemptive plan throughout history. This gives us confidence in His continued faithfulness in our lives.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hebrews 11:31

    By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

  • Ruth 1:16

    And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, [or] to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people [shall be] my people, and thy God my God:

  • Ruth 1:17

    Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, [if ought] but death part thee and me.

  • James 2:25

    Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?

  • Ruth 1:22

    So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

  • Ruth 2:4

    ¶ And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD [be] with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

  • Ruth 1:4

    And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one [was] Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

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