Ruth 4:1-4

Boaz Marries Ruth

1 Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer^[a] he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.

2 Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.

3 Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek.

4 I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you^[b] will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.” “I will redeem it,” he said.

Ruth 4:1-4 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. S Genesis 18:1; S Genesis 23:10
• 2. S Ruth 2:20
• 3. Ruth 3:12
• 4. S Exodus 3:16; 1 Kings 21:8; Proverbs 31:23
• 5. S Deuteronomy 25:7
• 6. S Leviticus 25:25; S Ruth 1:2
• 7. S Leviticus 25:25; Jeremiah 32:7-8

Footnotes

• [a]. The Hebrew word for "guardian-redeemer" is a legal term for one who has the obligation to redeem a relative in serious difficulty (see Lev. 25:25-55); also in verses 3, 6, 8 and 14.
• [b]. Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts "he"