Ruth 4:21
What does Ruth 4:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 4:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 4:21 means
Salmon fathered Boaz, and Boaz fathered Obed. Now the genealogy intersects the events we have witnessed. Boaz’s character and Ruth’s faithfulness stand within a family line God has already been shaping. By naming Boaz as Obed’s father, Scripture confirms that the redemption succeeded: the inheritance and the name continue. The verse also quietly celebrates lawful marriage and fruitful union. Nothing sensational is added—just the dignified record that God’s design for family, inheritance, and mercy has borne good fruit in the very house we have come to love.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Salmon became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the father of Obed;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Salmon begot Booz, Booz begot Obed,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed,
Context
This is the hinge between the broad genealogy and the immediate story. Having traced the line to Salmon, the text now names Boaz and his son Obed, directly fulfilling the earlier narrative about their marriage and child. The next verse will complete the arc by naming Obed’s son Jesse, and Jesse’s son David, culminating the genealogy and tying Ruth to Israel’s royal future.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 2:11
and Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz,
- Matthew 1:5
and Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
- Luke 3:32
the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
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