Ruth 4:18
What does Ruth 4:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 4:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 4:18 means
The genealogy begins with Perez, anchoring David’s line in Judah’s history. Genealogies in Scripture do more than list names; they trace God’s covenant faithfulness across generations. Starting with Perez recalls the earlier blessing and shows that from a complicated family story God brought enduring strength. Each name is a link in the chain of providence, moving steadily toward the royal house. By rehearsing these fathers, the text testifies that history is not random; God preserves a line through which He will raise leaders and ultimately accomplish salvation’s purposes for His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez begat Hezron,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez begat Hezron,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And these are genealogies of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752These are the generations of Phares: Phares begot Esron,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now these are the generations of Pherez. Pherez begot Hezron,
Context
After identifying Obed as David’s grandfather, the text formally lays out the ancestral line. Beginning with Perez connects the conclusion back to the community’s blessing in verse 12. The list that follows will move briskly to David, confirming that Boaz and Ruth stand within a divinely guided succession. This context helps readers see Ruth not as an isolated romance but as a pivotal moment in the unfolding story of Judah and Israel.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 1:3
and Judah begat Perez and Zerah of Tamar; and Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron begat Ram;
- Luke 3:33
the son of Amminadab, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
- 1 Chronicles 2:4
And Tamar his daughter-in-law bare him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.
- 1 Chronicles 4:1
The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.
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