What is the meaning of Ruth 4:18? Now these are the generations of Perez • Genealogies in Scripture anchor God’s redemptive plan in real history, reminding us that faith rests on facts (cf. Genesis 5:1; 10:1). • The identical wording appears just a few verses earlier—“They named him Obed… He is the father of Jesse, the father of David” (Ruth 4:17)—showing that the book’s closing focus is the kingly line God is preparing. • By starting with Perez, the Holy Spirit highlights how God turns even the darkest human failures for good. Perez was born from Judah’s sin with Tamar (Genesis 38), yet that broken branch becomes the very line that leads to the Messiah (Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33). • For believers today, every name in a biblical genealogy testifies that God keeps covenant promises through ordinary, imperfect people (2 Samuel 7:12–16; Isaiah 11:1). Perez was the father of Hezron • This simple statement moves the story one link forward. Scripture often introduces each generation with a similar rhythm—“X was the father of Y” (cf. Exodus 6:14–25; 1 Chronicles 2:5). • Hezron’s appearance signals growth: “These were the clans of Perez: the Hezronite clan and the Hamulite clan” (Numbers 26:21). God is multiplying the line that will bless the nations (Genesis 22:17–18). • The verse also anticipates the next steps in the chain—Hezron fathers Ram, Ram fathers Amminadab… until David (Ruth 4:19–22; Matthew 1:3–6). Each generation keeps alive the promise that “a star will come forth from Jacob” (Numbers 24:17). • In Christ, the ultimate Son of David, the lineage of Perez finds its fulfillment. The reliability of this one genealogical link assures us that every promise in God’s Word will likewise come to pass (2 Corinthians 1:20; Revelation 22:16). summary Ruth 4:18 isn’t filler. By tracing the family of Perez to Hezron, God underscores that His sovereign, unbroken plan is advancing one generation at a time. The verse assures us that even through flawed people, the Lord faithfully builds the line leading to David—and ultimately to Jesus—so we can trust Him with our own place in His unfolding story. |
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