Ruth 4 Study Notes

Ga’al occurs only in biblically related usage. The original sense may have been “restore, repair.” Once ga’al implies reclaim (Jb 3:5). Four times each it is parallel with padah (“ransom,” Jr 31:11) or yasha‘ (“save,” Ps 106:10). A legal duty to redeem fell on relatives (Lv 25:49), and participles connote relative (Nm 5:8) or kinsman (1Kg 16:11). Land, houses, livestock, and people could be redeemed from another’s possession by payment (Lv 25:25; 27:28). Avengers of blood were relatives responsible to slay murderers of family members (Nm 35:19,21). God is the Redeemer (Is 49:26), rescuing people from slavery (Ex 6:6), transgressions (Is 44:22), harm (Gn 48:16), enemies (Ps 107:2), captivity (Is 43:14), and death (Hs 13:14). Ga’al with ge’ullah (14x) suggests take the right of redemption (Ru 4:6).

4:13-17 Although for ten years in Moab, Ruth had been unable to bear a son for Mahlon, through the Lord’s direct intervention she immediately conceived and bore a son for Boaz. The child would be a comfort for Naomi in her old age (lit “would sustain her grey hair”); he would be her family redeemer who would provide for her needs in her declining years. He was named Obed, a short form of Obadiah, which means “Servant of the Lord.” Though no one could bring back Naomi’s husband or sons, now she had a daughter-in-law whom all recognized as better to you than seven sons—an astonishing accolade in the ancient world.

4:18-22 The story concludes with a linear genealogy linking the child, Obed, backwards and forwards. It traces his roots back to Perez, the child born in Gn 38 out of the dubious relationship between Judah and a foreign woman, Tamar. It also traces his progeny on to King David, who is highlighted not simply because he was a great king but also because he was the Lord’s answer for the anarchy of the days of the judges, in which this story took place (1:1). The family records thus show us that the Lord had been pursuing bigger plans than just bringing together two worthy individuals or restoring the emptiness of a Judean widow. Their story formed part of the bigger plan to provide the Redeemer, Christ Jesus, whom Israel needed.