Definition: And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this very important verse from the Book of Matthew! It’s a foundational story about how God began the lineage of humanity. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God started a chain reaction of family relationships through a single act. It’s like a domino effect – one event triggers another. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And Salmon begat Booz…” - This means “Salmon” was the father of Booz. (Salmon is a figure from the Bible who was a fisherman and eventually became important in the story of Noah.) “…and Booz begat Obed of Ruth…” – Boots, son of Salmon, became the father of Obed. (Ruth was a Moabite woman known for her kindness and loyalty). “…and Obed begat Jesse…” - Obed, the son of Ruth, became the father of Jesse. So, what's happening? God started this chain by creating Salmon. Salmon’s son, Booz, then had a son, Boots. Boots, in turn, had a son, Obed. And Obed, in turn, became the father of Jesse. The Significance: This story is considered one of the earliest examples of how God used creation to begin a family line. It shows that God’s plan is not just about creating things; it's about setting up a path for life and lineage. It highlights how even seemingly small actions can have significant consequences over time. In short, this verse tells us that God started the story of humanity with a single act – the creation of Salmon, who then produced Booz, Boots, and Obed, all of whom eventually led to Jesse. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this story? Give you some historical context about the time it was written? Answer any specific questions you have about this verse?