Ruth 4:11-14

11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.

12 Through the offspring the LORD gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.”

Naomi Gains a Son

13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

14 The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel!

Ruth 4:11-14 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 23:10
• 2. S Deuteronomy 25:9
• 3. S Genesis 4:19; S Genesis 29:16; Psalms 127:3; Psalms 128:3
• 4. S Genesis 35:16
• 5. Ruth 1:19
• 6. ver 18; S Genesis 38:29
• 7. Genesis 38:6,24
• 8. S Genesis 8:1; S Genesis 29:31; Ge Genesis 29:31; Genesis 33:5; Ruth 3:11
• 9. S Genesis 29:32; S Genesis 30:6; Luke 1:57
• 10. Luke 1:58
• 11. S Genesis 24:27
• 12. S Ruth 2:20