Who is…
Salmon

also known as: Salma (see below)

Hebrew: שַׂלְמָה —transliteration: Salmah —meaning uncertain, possibly garment or clothing—due to its similarity to salmah שַׂלְמָה —meaning: a wrapper, mantle

Note: This name dates long, long before the name of the species of fish we call Salmon (family: Salmonidae).

This is the name of a Biblical man in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. He is a great-great-grandfather of David, Israel’s 2nd king.

Ram became the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, leader of the sons of Judah; Nahshon became the father of Salma, Salma became the father of Boaz, —1 Chronicles 2:10–11

Salmon’s wife is Rahab (aka Rachab) (Matthew 1:5), a convert to the God of Israel. She was a Canaanite woman in Jericho, described as a prostitute (or innkeeper) who demonstrated faith by protecting Joshua’s two spies (Joshua 2). She and her family were spared when Jericho fell (Joshua 6:22–25). She joined God’s covenant people and entered the royal line leading to King David and Jesus. Rahab’s inclusion emphasizes that lineage in God’s kingdom depends on faith, not ethnicity or past.

Rahab is commended for her faith in Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25. Her story shows God use of unlikely people. Rahab is one of 4 women (along with Tamar, Ruth, and Bathsheba) highlighted before Mary, all with complex or “outsider” stories, underscoring God’s grace.

Salmon and Rahab’s union produced Boaz → Obed → Jesse → David → … → Jesus

Salmon, the founder of Bethlehem, is the father of Boaz—husband of Ruth. His father is Nahshon (Ruth 4:20, 21; Matthew 1:4, 5).

One of Salmon’s many great-great-great grandsons is King Solomon.

JESUS CHRIST ← Mary ← Heli ← Matthat ← Levi ← Melchi ← Janna ← Joseph ← Mattathiah (Mattathias) ← Amos ← Nahum ← Esli ← Naggai ← Maath ← Mattathiah (Mattathias) ← Semei ← Joseph ← Judah ← Joannas (Joanna) ← Rhesa ← Zerubbabel ← Shealtiel ← Neri ← Melchi ← Addi ← Cosam ← Elmodam ← Er ← Jose (Joshua, Jesus) ← Eliezer ← Jorim ← Matthat ← Levi ← Simeon ← Judah ← Joseph ← Jonan ← Eliakim ← Melea ← Menan (Menna) ← Mattathah ← Nathan ← KING DAVID ← Jesse ← Obed ← Boaz ← Salmon ← Nahshon ← Amminadab ← Ram ← Hezron ← Perez ← Judah ← Jacob ← Isaac ← ABRAHAM ← Terah ← Nahor ← Serug ← Reu ← Peleg ← Eber ← Shelah ← Cainan ← Arphaxad ← Shem ← NOAH ← Lamech ← Methuselah ← Enoch ← Jared ← Mahalalel (Mahalaleel) ← Cainan ← Enosh (Enos) ← Seth ← ADAM (created by God).

Salma

Salmon is the same person as “Salma” in 1 Chronicles 2:51 (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV).

“Salma the father of Bethlehem…”

Hebrew: שַׂלְמָא —transliteration: Salma —meaning uncertain, possibly garment or clothing—due to its similarity to salmah שַׂלְמָה —meaning: a wrapper, mantle

Surname “Salmon”

Many people in England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland have the surname Salmon, an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that comes “from the baptismal name for the son of Solomon”—a reduced form of Salomon (Solomon). This family last name is reportedly first found in England’s Cumberland and Surrey counties.