שַׂלְמָה (sal.mah)
sal.mah
Salmon
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Salmon, appearing in Hebrew as שַׂלְמָה (sal.mah), is a proper noun found only once in the Old Testament, specifically in Ruth 4:20. It identifies the son of Nahshon and father of Boaz, placing him in the genealogy leading to King David. The name itself carries the meaning "garment," a detail noted in the lexical sources that connects the personal identity to a tangible object.
This single occurrence anchors Salmon as a crucial link in the ancestral line recorded in Ruth. He is listed as the husband of Rahab and the grandfather of David, bridging the period of the judges with the establishment of the monarchy. The New Testament genealogy in Luke 3:32 refers to him as Sala, reflecting a variation in spelling or transliteration that appears in other textual traditions.
While Salmon does not play an active role in the narrative of Ruth, his inclusion highlights the continuity of Judah’s lineage. The meaning "garment" offers a subtle linguistic texture to his name, though the text focuses on his familial relationships rather than symbolic interpretation. His presence ensures the record remains unbroken from Nahshon through Boaz to David.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Salmon appears in Ruth 4:20 as part of a genealogy that traces the lineage from Judah to King David. His inclusion shows how God works through ordinary family lines to fulfill His promises. The text records him simply as the son of Nahshon and father of Boaz, highlighting the quiet faithfulness of ancestors who lived out their days in obedience.
Though Salmon has no recorded dialogue or dramatic deeds, his presence connects the era of the judges with the establishment of the monarchy. This continuity reminds us that God’s plan unfolds through generations, linking those who came before with those who would come after. It is a testament to the reliability of Scripture and the steady hand of God in history.
For believers today, this genealogy encourages trust in God’s timing. Just as Salmon was a vital link in the chain leading to David and ultimately to Christ, every generation plays a role in God’s unfolding story. We are part of a larger narrative that transcends our immediate circumstances, anchored in the faithfulness of God across time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Salmah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׂלְמָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Ruth 4:20
and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon became the father of Salmon,
This verse explicitly identifies Salmon as the son of Nahshon and father of Boaz, establishing his critical position in the ancestral line leading to David.