What is the meaning of Ruth 4:21? Salmon was the father of Boaz • Ruth 4:21 begins by anchoring the story in a real, historical lineage: “Salmon was the father of Boaz”. Genealogies like this are not filler; they confirm God’s faithfulness to His promises through identifiable people (cf. 1 Chronicles 2:10–11). • Salmon’s marriage to Rahab links Israel’s story to God’s wider plan of grace (Joshua 6:25; Matthew 1:5). A Gentile who trusted the God of Israel becomes part of the covenant line—proof that salvation has always reached beyond ethnic borders. • Every generation tells a story of covenant continuity. From Judah to Salmon, God preserves the scepter-line promised in Genesis 49:10. This short clause reminds us that the Lord’s purposes move steadily forward even when centuries pass between major events. Boaz was the father of Obed • Boaz steps onto the scene in Ruth as a “worthy man” (Ruth 2:1) and a kinsman-redeemer willing to act (Ruth 3:10-13). By fathering Obed, he carries the redemption of Ruth into the next generation. • Obed’s birth is celebrated by the women of Bethlehem: “A son has been born to Naomi” (Ruth 4:17). The child embodies restoration for Naomi, blessing for Ruth, and covenant faithfulness for Israel. • This phrase also positions Obed as grandfather to David (Ruth 4:22), setting the stage for the king after God’s own heart and, ultimately, for the arrival of Christ (Matthew 1:5-6; Luke 3:32). • God weaves together ordinary obedience—Boaz’s integrity, Ruth’s loyalty—into extraordinary outcomes. The verse invites us to trust that unseen threads of daily faithfulness can shape salvation history. summary Ruth 4:21 compresses vast truths into two simple statements. Each name is a testimony that God keeps promises, welcomes outsiders, and advances redemption through everyday faithfulness. From Salmon to Boaz to Obed, the line moves unbroken toward David and finally Jesus, assuring us that the Author of Scripture records every detail with purpose and accuracy. |
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