Salmon was the father of Boaz and is an ancestor of both David and Jesus Christ. A member of Israel during its conquests in Canaan, Salmon later unites with Rahab after she joins Israel when Jericho is destroyed. Later they give birth to a son named Boaz. No narrative description of Salmon exists. All information on Salmon is found in the genealogies contained in Ruth, the Book of Chronicles, Matthew and Luke.
Biography[]
Salmon was the son of Nahshon and grandson of Amminadab[1]. Aaron was Salmon's uncle, by marriage to his Aunt Elisheba[2]. He was a member of Tribe of Judah and was in the line of Perez. His father, Nahshon was the Chieftain of the Tribe of Judah.[3]
He was the father of Boaz, by the prostitute Rahab[4]. It is unlikely that Boaz was the result of prostitution between Rahab and Salmon. It is recorded by Joshua that at the time of the Battle of Jericho, Rahab had a family consisting of father, mother, brothers and sisters[5]. Prior to this battle, Jericho was Canaanite territory and an Israelite would not have met Rahab[6]. Furthermore Rahab lived in Israel after Jericho is conquered[7] and she is called righteous[8]. Based on all of this Salmon likely married Rahab rather than having Boaz out of wedlock.
Despite his fatherhood to Boaz, Salmon nor Rahab are mentioned anywhere in the account of Boaz; other than the genealogy (only Salmon).
Subsequently he was the grandfather of Obed, great-grandfather of Jesse and great-great grandfather of David and his brothers.