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Salmon

biblical_person theological_term standard

Salmon is a biblical man named in the genealogies of Judah and David, and in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus.

At a Glance

A man in the royal and messianic genealogy recorded in Scripture.

Key Points

Description

Salmon is a man named in biblical genealogies, especially Ruth 4:20-21, 1 Chronicles 2:11, and Matthew 1:4-5. He belongs to the covenant line through which the Lord brought David and, in Matthew’s genealogy, Jesus Christ. The biblical text gives no extended account of his life, so careful interpretation should stay close to the genealogical notices themselves. Some readers infer family connections from Matthew’s wording, but the safest conclusion is simply that Salmon stands within the ancestral line that Scripture highlights for redemptive-history purposes.

Biblical Context

Salmon appears in the biblical genealogies that move from Judah to Boaz, Obed, Jesse, David, and finally to Jesus. Genealogies in Scripture often serve theological as well as historical purposes, showing covenant continuity and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Historical Context

Outside the genealogical notices, Scripture does not supply a detailed historical biography for Salmon. His significance lies in his placement within the ancestral line of Israel’s kingly and messianic history.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In Jewish genealogical practice, ancestry helped establish tribal identity, inheritance, and covenant continuity. Salmon’s inclusion in these records marks him as part of the line through which God preserved the promised royal seed.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

The Hebrew name is commonly rendered Salmon; the Greek New Testament form appears in Matthew’s genealogy. The name is treated as a personal name rather than a theological term.

Theological Significance

Salmon’s main theological significance is genealogical: he stands in the line through which God preserved the promises to Judah and David and brought the Messiah into the world. His inclusion supports the Bible’s emphasis on covenant continuity and the historical rootedness of Jesus’ messianic identity.

Philosophical Explanation

Genealogies in Scripture are not mere lists of names; they are ordered historical testimony. Salmon’s presence in those records shows how God works through ordinary generations to accomplish redemptive purposes over time.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not build doctrines on details the text does not give. Avoid overconfident claims about Salmon’s life or family relationships beyond the genealogies themselves.

Major Views

Most interpreters agree that Salmon is a genealogical figure in the line of Judah and David. Discussion is mainly about how to read the genealogy’s family connections, not about Salmon as a doctrinal topic.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Salmon should be treated as a biblical person, not as a theological concept. His entry should remain descriptive and text-bound, without speculative reconstruction.

Practical Significance

Salmon reminds readers that God’s redemptive work often unfolds through ordinary people whose lives are known chiefly by their place in God’s larger plan.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Salmon

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