Devine Scripture

Matthew 1:5

What does Matthew 1:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 1:5 means

This verse significantly expands the genealogical record by introducing two more women: Rahab and Ruth. Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab, a Gentile woman from Jericho associated with Israel's entry into the Promised Land (Joshua 2 and 6). Boaz, in turn, begat Obed of Ruth, another Gentile woman from Moab, known for her faithfulness and devotion (Book of Ruth). The inclusion of these Gentile women, both with unusual backgrounds, foreshadows the universal scope of the gospel and God's plan to include Gentiles in His covenant purposes through Jesus Christ. Obed then begat Jesse, connecting directly to the household of David.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the son of Salmon by Rahab was Boaz; and the son of Boaz by Ruth was Obed; and the son of Obed was Jesse;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

Still within the extended genealogy connecting Abraham to David, this verse adds two more notable names to the family tree. The deliberate mentioning of Rahab and Ruth as mothers of key ancestors is a significant detail in Matthew's narrative. It prefigures the inclusivity of Christ's mission and subtly prepares the reader for the surprising circumstances surrounding Jesus' own birth, setting a pattern of God working through unexpected individuals.

v.4and Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat Salmon;

v.5This passage

v.6and Jesse begat David the king. And David begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah;

Cross references

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

  • Ruth 1:16

    And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, and 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 1:22

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

  • James 2:25

    And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way?

  • Joshua 6:22

    And Joshua said unto the two men that had spied out the land, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.

  • Joshua 2:1

    And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men as spies secretly, saying, Go, view the land, and Jericho. And they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lay there.

  • Hebrews 11:31

    By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace.

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