Now these are the generations of Perez:The phrase introduces a genealogical record, a common feature in biblical texts that establishes lineage and heritage. Perez, the son of Judah and Tamar, is significant in the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ, as seen in
Matthew 1:3. This genealogy underscores God's providence in using unexpected circumstances to fulfill His promises. The mention of Perez connects the story of Ruth to the broader narrative of Israel's history, emphasizing the continuity of God's plan through generations.
Perez was the father of Hezron,
Perez's son, Hezron, is a key figure in the genealogical line leading to David. Hezron's inclusion highlights the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, promising that his descendants would become a great nation (Genesis 12:2). This lineage is crucial for understanding the messianic prophecy, as it traces the ancestry of Jesus, affirming His rightful place as the promised Messiah. The genealogical record serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving the line through which salvation would come.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PerezThe son of Judah and Tamar, Perez is a significant figure in the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus Christ. His birth is recorded in
Genesis 38, and he is noted for continuing the line of Judah.
2.
HezronThe son of Perez, Hezron is an ancestor of King David. His mention in this genealogy highlights the continuity of God's promise to Abraham through the line of Judah.
3.
GenealogyThis passage begins a genealogy that traces the lineage from Perez to David, emphasizing the providential unfolding of God's redemptive plan through specific family lines.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in LineageThe genealogy in
Ruth 4:18 reminds us that God is sovereign over history and uses family lines to accomplish His purposes. This encourages us to trust in His plan for our lives, even when we cannot see the full picture.
The Importance of HeritageUnderstanding our spiritual heritage can strengthen our faith. Just as Perez and Hezron were part of God's unfolding plan, we too are part of a larger account that God is writing.
Faithfulness Across GenerationsThe mention of these generations encourages us to consider the impact of our faithfulness on future generations. Our actions and faith today can influence the spiritual legacy we leave behind.
God's Redemption Through Imperfect PeopleThe inclusion of Perez, born from a complex family situation, highlights that God can redeem and use imperfect people for His glory. This gives hope to all believers that their past does not disqualify them from being used by God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ruth 4:18?
2.How does Ruth 4:18 connect to God's covenant promises to Abraham's descendants?
3.What significance does the genealogy in Ruth 4:18 hold for Israel's history?
4.How can understanding Ruth 4:18 deepen our appreciation for God's providence?
5.How does Ruth 4:18 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?
6.How can we apply the lessons from Ruth 4:18 in our daily lives?
7.How does Ruth 4:18 connect to the genealogy of Jesus in the New Testament?
8.What significance does the genealogy in Ruth 4:18 hold for understanding God's plan in the Bible?
9.Why is the lineage of Perez important in the context of Ruth 4:18?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ruth 4?
11.In Genesis 38:25–26, why does Judah suddenly shift from condemning Tamar to declaring her “more righteous” than he is, without any direct divine intervention or clear moral explanation?
12.Why are certain individuals and tribal lines omitted in 1 Chronicles 2, and does this omission conflict with other biblical genealogies?
13.What does Ruth reveal about God's character and actions?
14.How do we reconcile varying family names in Ezra 2:21–35 with their supposed lineage elsewhere in Scripture?What Does Ruth 4:18 Mean
Now these are the generations of Perez• Genealogies in Scripture anchor God’s redemptive plan in real history, reminding us that faith rests on facts (cf.Genesis 5:1; 10:1).
• The identical wording appears just a few verses earlier—“They named him Obed… He is the father of Jesse, the father of David” (Ruth 4:17)—showing that the book’s closing focus is the kingly line God is preparing.
• By starting with Perez, the Holy Spirit highlights how God turns even the darkest human failures for good. Perez was born from Judah’s sin with Tamar (Genesis 38), yet that broken branch becomes the very line that leads to the Messiah (Matthew 1:3;Luke 3:33).
• For believers today, every name in a biblical genealogy testifies that God keeps covenant promises through ordinary, imperfect people (2 Samuel 7:12–16;Isaiah 11:1).
Perez was the father of Hezron• This simple statement moves the story one link forward. Scripture often introduces each generation with a similar rhythm—“X was the father of Y” (cf.Exodus 6:14–25;1 Chronicles 2:5).
• Hezron’s appearance signals growth: “These were the clans of Perez: the Hezronite clan and the Hamulite clan” (Numbers 26:21). God is multiplying the line that will bless the nations (Genesis 22:17–18).
• The verse also anticipates the next steps in the chain—Hezron fathers Ram, Ram fathers Amminadab… until David (Ruth 4:19–22;Matthew 1:3–6). Each generation keeps alive the promise that “a star will come forth from Jacob” (Numbers 24:17).
• In Christ, the ultimate Son of David, the lineage of Perez finds its fulfillment. The reliability of this one genealogical link assures us that every promise in God’s Word will likewise come to pass (2 Corinthians 1:20;Revelation 22:16).
summaryRuth 4:18 isn’t filler. By tracing the family of Perez to Hezron, God underscores that His sovereign, unbroken plan is advancing one generation at a time. The verse assures us that even through flawed people, the Lord faithfully builds the line leading to David—and ultimately to Jesus—so we can trust Him with our own place in His unfolding story.
(18)
Hezron.--See
Genesis 46:12.
Verses 18-22. -
And these are the lineal descendants of Pharez. Pharez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David. This is the genealogy of King David, and it is therefore an integral part of the genealogy of King David's great descendant, his "Lord" and ours. As such it is incorporated entire in the two tables that are contained respectively in the first chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew, and the third of the Gospel according to Luke. Some of the names are somewhat Grecised and otherwise modified in those New Testament tables. Instead of Hezron we have Esrom; instead of Ram we have Aram; instead of Nahshon we have Naason; instead of Boaz we have Boos; in
1 Chronicles 2:11 we have Salma instead of Salmon. It has been keenly debated by chronologists and genealogists whether we should regard the list of David's lineal ancestors, given here and in
1 Chronicles 2:10-12, as also in
Matthew 1:3-5, and
Luke 3:31-33, as complete. It is a thorny question to handle, and one not ready to be finally settled till the whole Old Testament chronology be adjusted. It is certain that in the larger tables of our Lord's genealogy there was, apparently for mnemonic purposes (
Matthew 1:17), the mergence of certain inconspicuous links (see
Matthew 1:8); and it would not need to be matter of wonder or concern if in that section of these tables which contains the genealogy of King David there should be a similar lifting up into the light, on the one hand, of the more prominent ancestors, and a shading off into the dark, on the other, of some who were less conspicuous. It lies on the surface of the genealogy that the loving-kindness and tender mercies of Yahveh stretch far beyond the confines of the Hebrews, highly favored though that people was. "Is he," asks St. Paul, "
the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes," the same apostle answers, "
of the Gentiles also" (
Romans 3:29).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Now these [are]וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙(wə·’êl·leh)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428:These, thosethe generationsתּוֹלְד֣וֹת(tō·wl·ḏō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 8435:Descent, family, historyof Perez:פָּ֔רֶץ(pā·reṣ)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6557:Perez -- son of Judah and TamarPerezפֶּ֖רֶץ(pe·reṣ)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6557:Perez -- son of Judah and Tamarwas the father ofהוֹלִ֥יד(hō·w·lîḏ)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineageHezron,חֶצְרֽוֹן׃(ḥeṣ·rō·wn)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2696:Hezron -- two Israelites, also two places in Judah
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OT History: Ruth 4:18 Now this is the history (Ru Rut.)