Ruth 4:21

And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,

And Salmon {H8012} begat {H3205} Boaz {H1162}, and Boaz {H1162} begat {H3205} Obed {H5744},

Salmon was the father of Bo'az, Bo'az was the father of 'Oved,

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

and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,

Commentary

Ruth 4:21 is a pivotal verse within the closing genealogy of the Book of Ruth, tracing the lineage from Salmon to Obed. This concise statement forms a crucial link in the ancestral line that ultimately leads to King David and, centuries later, to Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse appears at the very end of the Book of Ruth, specifically within the genealogy presented in Ruth 4:18-22. It immediately follows the joyful account of Boaz’s marriage to Ruth and the subsequent birth of their son, Obed, as detailed in Ruth 4:13-17. The inclusion of this genealogy underscores the significant role of Ruth and Boaz in God’s unfolding plan, connecting their story to the broader history of Israel and the promise of a future king.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Lineage: The verse highlights the meticulous way God orchestrates events, even seemingly ordinary ones like marriages and births, to fulfill His grand purposes. The inclusion of figures like Salmon (often associated with Rahab, another Gentile ancestress) and Boaz (the kinsman-redeemer) demonstrates God's sovereign hand in establishing the Messianic line.
  • Continuity of God's Promises: This genealogy serves as a vital bridge, connecting the story of Ruth and Boaz directly to the Davidic covenant. Obed is explicitly identified as the father of Jesse, who was the father of David (Ruth 4:22). This underscores the faithfulness of God in preserving a righteous lineage through which His promises would be realized.
  • Inclusion and Redemption: The presence of Ruth, a Moabitess, in this genealogy is remarkable. Her inclusion, facilitated by Boaz's act as a kinsman-redeemer, foreshadows God's redemptive plan that extends beyond Israel to include Gentiles, a theme powerfully developed in the New Testament.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "begat" is yalad (Χ™ΦΈΧœΦ·Χ“), which simply means "to bear," "to bring forth," or "to father." In genealogical contexts, it signifies direct paternal descent. There are no complex linguistic nuances beyond its straightforward meaning of procreation and lineage continuation.

Reflection and Application

Ruth 4:21, though brief, carries profound significance. It reminds us that God works through generations, weaving individual lives into His larger tapestry of redemption. The faithfulness of Salmon, Boaz, and eventually Obed, contributed to a lineage that would bring forth the greatest King, David, and ultimately the Savior, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5-6). This verse encourages us to see our own lives, however ordinary, as part of God's ongoing story, and to trust in His sovereign plan, even when its full scope is not immediately apparent.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 3:32

    Which was [the son] of Jesse, which was [the son] of Obed, which was [the son] of Booz, which was [the son] of Salmon, which was [the son] of Naasson,

  • Matthew 1:5

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

  • 1 Chronicles 2:11

    And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz,

  • 1 Chronicles 2:12

    And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,
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