Matthew 1:3-6 “And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias.”
Four women, in addition to Jesus’ mother, are mentioned in His genealogy. Tamar (v. 3) was a Canaanite who posed as a harlot in order to seduce Judah (Gen. 38). Rahab (v. 5), also a Canaanite, had been a prostitute (Joshua 2). Ruth (v. 5) was a Moabite woman (Ruth 1) and was reared among those who practiced idolatry. Bathsheba (v. 6) was a Hittite who committed adultery with King David (II Sam.11). All of these women were Gentiles, and all four of them had some unsavory connections. The fact that they are included in the genealogy of our Savior is a testimony to the grace of God. Not only did God save their souls, He also made them part of Israel and included them in the lineage of the Christ. What wonderful things God is able to do!