Ruth 4:9-12

9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.

10 "Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so ¹that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today."

11 All the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home ²like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous * in Bethlehem.

12 "Moreover, may your house be like the house of ³Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the LORD will give you by this young woman."

Ruth 4:9-12 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. Deuteronomy 25:6
• 2. Genesis 29:25-30
• 3. Genesis 38:29; Genesis 46:12; Ruth 4:18

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "gate"
• [b]. Lit "gate"
• [c]. Or "power"
• [d]. Lit "call the name in"
• [e]. Lit "seed"