And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

RUTH 4:22KJV
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Ruth 4:22 (KJV)

What does Ruth 4:22 mean?

Ruth 4:22 states that Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David. This verse traces the family line leading directly to David, highlighting his ancestry.

This verse comes at the end of the book of Ruth, which tells the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who becomes part of the people of Israel. The verse is part of a genealogy showing how Ruth’s family connects to King David, making clear that David’s roots include both Israelites and foreigners. The verse is a simple record, but it sets up the importance of David’s lineage for later parts of the Bible.

Where else these words appear

“Obed” Hebrew H5744 · used in 9 verses

  • Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:12 And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,
  • 1 Chronicles 11:47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.

“Jesse” Hebrew H3448 · used in 39 verses

  • Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
  • 1 Samuel 17:12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
  • 2 Samuel 20:1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.