Original Word: שַׂלְמָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Salmah
Pronunciation: sahl-MAH
Phonetic Spelling: (sal-maw')
KJV: Salmon
NASB: Salmon
Word Origin: [the same as H8008 (שַׂלמָה - clothes)]

1. clothing
2. Salmah, an Israelite

Salmon

The same as salmah; clothing; Salmah, an Israelite -- Salmon. Compare Salmown.

see HEBREW salmah

see HEBREW Salmown

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
father of Boaz, same as NH8012
NASB Translation
Salmon (1).

Identity and Occurrence

שַׂלְמָה (Salmah) appears once in the Hebrew text (Ruth 4:20) as a member of the royal line of Judah. The Berean Standard Bible records, “Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon was the father of Salmon.” The consonantal spelling reflected in Strong’s 8009 underlies this single verse; parallel passages employ a closely related spelling for the same person (for example, 1 Chronicles 2:11 and Matthew 1:4–5).

Genealogical Significance

1. Tribe of Judah. Salmah stands in the seventh generation after Judah, anchoring the messianic promise given in Genesis 49:10.
2. Father of Boaz. Through Boaz’s marriage to Ruth, Salmah becomes the grandfather of Obed and great-grandfather of Jesse, father of David (Ruth 4:21–22).
3. Ancestor of Jesus Christ. Both Matthew 1:4–6 and Luke 3:32 trace the Messiah’s legal and biological lineage through Salmah, underscoring the continuity of God’s redemptive plan.

Historical Setting

Salmah lived during the era leading up to the Judges. His son Boaz farmed near Bethlehem, suggesting that Salmah settled in or near that region. Being a descendant of Nahshon—“leader of the people of Judah” during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 1:7)—Salmah inherited a family legacy of leadership within Israel.

Role in Salvation History

1. Preservation of the Promise. The genealogical chain from Judah to David is unbroken in Salmah; his place certifies the integrity of Scripture’s covenant storyline.
2. Link to the Kinsman-Redeemer Theme. Because Salmah fathers Boaz, he indirectly participates in the drama of redemption enacted in Ruth, which prefigures Christ’s redemptive work.
3. Inclusion of the Nations. Salmah’s lineage welcomes Ruth the Moabitess, foreshadowing the gospel’s outreach to Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11–13).

Theological Reflections

• Divine Providence in Ordinary Lives. Salmah never speaks or acts in the biblical record, yet his obedience in marriage and family life positions him within God’s unfolding purpose (Romans 8:28).
• Faith across Generations. From Nahshon’s wilderness faithfulness to David’s royal calling, Salmah’s generation illustrates how covenant fidelity is transmitted (Deuteronomy 6:6–7).
• Christological Fulfillment. The New Testament validates the historicity of Salmah. By naming him, the evangelists affirm that Jesus is “the Root and the Offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16), satisfying Old Testament expectation.

Lessons for Ministry and Faith

1. Hidden Influence. Much kingdom work occurs behind the scenes; the fruit may appear generations later.
2. Stewardship of Family Lines. Christian parents are stewards of a heritage that can impact world missions long after they are gone (Psalm 145:4).
3. Assurance of Scripture’s Unity. The seamless line from Salmah to Christ encourages confidence in the accuracy and inspiration of both Testaments.

Key References

Ruth 4:20; 1 Chronicles 2:11–12, 2:51, 2:54; Matthew 1:4–5; Luke 3:32; Genesis 49:10; Numbers 1:7; Revelation 22:16

שַׂלְמָֽה׃ שלמה׃ śal·māh salMah śalmāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts