Ruth 4:4-5

4 "So I thought to inform * you, saying, '¹Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for ²there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.' " And he said, "I will redeem it."

5 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order ³to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance."

Ruth 4:4-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO RUTH 4

This chapter relates how an offer was made to the nearest kinsman of Ruth to redeem her, and the field her husband left, which he refused to do, Ru 4:1-8, upon which Boaz redeemed both, and married Ruth before the elders of the city as witnesses, and who congratulated him and her on that occasion, Ru 4:9-12, to whom a son was born, called Obed by the neighbours, Ru 4:13-17 and the chapter is concluded with the genealogy of David, who sprung from him, Ru 4:18-22.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 32:7
• 2. Leviticus 25:25
• 3. Genesis 38:8; Deuteronomy 25:5; Matthew 22:24

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "uncover your ear"
• [b]. Lit "no one will redeem"