שַׂלְמָה
Salmah, an Israelite
Definition
Salmah (שַׂלְמָה) is a proper noun referring to an Israelite man, the father of Boaz and an ancestor of King David. He appears only once in the Old Testament, in the genealogy of Perez (Ruth 4:20). The name is essentially identical to the common noun 'salmah' (H8008), meaning 'garment' or 'clothing,' suggesting a possible symbolic or descriptive origin. In the genealogy, Salmah (also spelled Salmon in some translations) serves as a vital link in the lineage from Judah to David, and ultimately to Jesus Christ in the New Testament (Matthew 1:4-5, Luke 3:32).
Biblical Usage
This proper noun is used exactly once in the Hebrew Bible, in Ruth 4:20: 'and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmah.' Its usage is strictly genealogical, appearing in the list of ancestors that culminates with King David. The context is the formal declaration of Boaz's lineage following his marriage to Ruth, establishing their place within the tribe of Judah.
Etymology
The name Salmah is derived from the identical common Hebrew noun שַׂלְמָה (salmah, H8008), which means 'garment,' 'cloak,' or 'clothing.' It is likely a theophoric or descriptive name, perhaps implying 'clothed' or 'protected.' The name shares a root with שָׂלַם (salem, H8003), relating to completion or peace. A variant spelling, Salmon (שַׂלְמוֹן, H8012), appears in other genealogical lists (e.g., 1 Chronicles 2:11).
Semantic Range
While the name itself is simple, Salmah's theological significance lies entirely in his genealogical position. He is a crucial link in the messianic line promised in Genesis 49:10, connecting the patriarch Judah to King David. This lineage, meticulously recorded in Ruth 4, demonstrates God's faithfulness in preserving the line of the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. Understanding that even a name meaning 'garment' fits into this redemptive tapestry highlights God's sovereign orchestration of history through ordinary individuals.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaning related to circumstances, hopes, or descriptions. Naming a child 'Salmah' ('garment') may have reflected a desire for provision, protection, or covering—essential concepts in a subsistence agricultural society. His role in the genealogy signifies his importance in maintaining family lineage and tribal identity, which were central to Israel's social and religious structure.
Salmon (שַׂלְמוֹן, H8012) — A variant spelling of the same name, used in parallel genealogies.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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