Salmon
Pronounced SAL-mun
- Meaning
- "Garment; Clothing; Peaceful"
- Origin
- Hebrew
Salmon means "garment" or "clothing" in Hebrew. He was the father of Boaz, the husband of Rahab the former prostitute of Jericho, and a direct ancestor of both King David and Jesus Christ. Salmon's marriage to Rahab is one of Scripture's most remarkable unions. Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute who hid the Israelite spies and was saved when Jericho fell. That an Israelite of Judah's tribe would marry this foreign woman of questionable past demonstrates the radical inclusiveness of God's redemptive plan. Matthew's genealogy of Jesus specifically names Salmon and Rahab: "And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab." This deliberate mention of Rahab — alongside Tamar, Ruth, and Bathsheba — highlights that the Messiah's lineage includes unlikely women from complicated backgrounds. Through Salmon's marriage to Rahab, the scarlet cord that saved a prostitute's household became woven into the royal tapestry leading to Christ. Salmon's willingness to see past Rahab's history to her faith made him a participant in one of grace's greatest stories.
Spiritual meaning
Salmon married Rahab — choosing faith over reputation. His story teaches that God's greatest plans often require us to see people as He sees them: not by their past, but by their potential.
Related verses (KJV)
"And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse."
Matthew 1:5 (KJV) →"And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, And Salmon begat Boaz."
Ruth 4:20-21 (KJV) →