![](https://web.archive.org/web/20161126000911im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Salmon_-_Boaz_-_Obed.jpg/300px-Salmon_-_Boaz_-_Obed.jpg)
Matthew 1:5 is the fifth verse of the Matthew 1 of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. The verse is part of the section where the genealogy of Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, is listed.
In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:
The World English Bible translates the passage as:
- Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab.
- Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth.
- Obed became the father of Jesse.
Analysis
This genealogy matches that given in several other places in the Bible, including Luke 3:32. It covers the period after the Exodus to around the founding of the Kingdom of Israel. The passage carries the genealogy through Salmon, Boaz, Obed, and Jesse of which only Boaz is notable. It also mentions two women, Rahab and Ruth, both of whom are prominent Old Testament figures.[citation needed] For a full discussion of the women mentioned in Matthew's genealogy see Matthew 1:3.
William F. Albright and C.S. Mann note that the author of Matthew spells Rahab's name as Rachab, a departure from the Septuagint spelling Matthew usually uses. The Rachab form also appears in the works of Josephus. They speculate that this indicates a change in pronunciation during this period.[1] Another problem, pointed out by Raymond E. Brown, is that Rahab's position in this verse does not meet other traditions. No other source has her marrying Salmon and giving birth to Boaz. Jewish tradition has her as the wife of Joshua, and thus, also in a different time period.[2]
Further reading
- Kyallo Mutua, Charles. Salmon Was the Father of Boaz by "[Rachab]," Mt 1:5: A Study of Rahab Traditions. Romae : Pontificia Universitas Urbaniana, 2000.
References
- ^ Albright, W.F. and C.S. Mann. "Matthew." The Anchor Bible Series. New York: Doubleday & Company, 1971.
- ^ Brown, Raymond E. The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in Matthew and Luke. London: G. Chapman, 1977.
Resources
- Gundry, Robert H. Matthew a Commentary on his Literary and Theological Art. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982.
Preceded by Matthew 1:4 |
Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 |
Succeeded by Matthew 1:6 |