Devine Scripture

Matthew 1:4

What does Matthew 1:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 1:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 1:4 means

This verse continues the steady progression of the Messiah's ancestry, listing Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, and Salmon. These individuals bridge a significant period in Israel's history, spanning from the time of their sojourn in Egypt to their wilderness wanderings and entry into the Promised Land. While their specific stories are not detailed here, their presence confirms the unbroken generational link. Each name represents a crucial link in the chain, demonstrating the faithful continuation of God's covenant promises through the generations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat Salmon;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat Salmon;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the son of Ram was Amminadab; and the son of Amminadab was Nahshon; and the son of Nahshon was Salmon;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and Aram begat Aminadab, and Aminadab begat Naasson, and Naasson begat Salmon,

Context

As part of the lengthy genealogy tracing Jesus' descent from Abraham, this verse simply adds more names to the list. It continues the first major section of Matthew chapter 1, focusing on the ancestral line. This verse reinforces the historical grounding of Jesus' claims, showing an unbroken chain of human fathers through many centuries, setting the stage for later connections to David and ultimately to Christ.

v.3and Judah begat Perez and Zerah of Tamar; and Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron begat Ram;

v.4This passage

v.5and Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Numbers 10:14

    And in the first place the standard of the camp of the children of Judah set forward according to their hosts: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

  • Numbers 2:3

    And those that encamp on the east side toward the sunrising shall be they of the standard of the camp of Judah, according to their hosts: and the prince of the children of Judah shall be Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

  • Numbers 7:12

    And he that offered his oblation the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah:

  • 1 Chronicles 2:10

    And Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah;

  • Numbers 1:7

    Of Judah: Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

  • Numbers 7:17

    and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs a year old: this was the oblation of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

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