Bible Word Study
שַׂלְמוֹן
Salmôwn · Salmon, an Israelite
שַׂלְמוֹן
Salmon, an Israelite
Definition
Salmon is a proper name referring to an Israelite man in the biblical genealogy. He is identified as the father of Boaz and the son of Nahshon (Ruth 4:20–21, 1 Chronicles 2:11). As the son of Nahshon, who was a tribal leader of Judah (Numbers 1:7), Salmon holds a significant place in the lineage leading to King David and, ultimately, to Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:4–5). The name appears only in genealogical contexts, with no independent narrative about his life.
Biblical Usage
The name Salmon is used exclusively in Old Testament genealogical lists. It appears in Ruth 4:20–21 within the genealogy of Perez that concludes the Book of Ruth, and again in 1 Chronicles 2:11 within the extensive genealogies of Judah. In both instances, its function is to establish a crucial link in the ancestral line of King David.
Etymology
The name Salmon (שַׂלְמוֹן) is derived from the root שָׂלַם (śālam, H7999), meaning 'to be complete, safe, at peace.' It is related to the noun שַׂלְמָה (śalmâ, H8008), meaning 'a garment' or 'cloak,' possibly connoting the idea of 'investiture' or 'clothing.' The name likely carries connotations of completeness, peace, or protection.
Semantic Range
Salmon is a theologically significant name because of his placement in the messianic lineage. As the father of Boaz, he is a direct ancestor of King David and, according to the New Testament, of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:4–5). His name, potentially meaning 'peace' or 'complete,' may subtly foreshadow the peace and redemption brought through his descendant, the Messiah. Understanding this genealogical link enriches the reading of Ruth and the genealogies, showing God's faithful providence across generations. In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaning or expressed hopes. Bearing a name derived from 'peace' or 'garment' (a symbol of covering or status) would have been significant. His role is purely genealogical, reflecting the high importance placed on lineage and tribal heritage, especially for the tribe of Judah from which the royal line would come. Salma (שַׂלְמָא, H8007) — A variant name or a different individual listed in the genealogy of Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:51, 54).
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]