Ruth 4 Study Notes: Boaz Redeems and Marries Ruth
At the town gate before ten elders, a closer relative gives up his right of redemption, and Boaz buys Elimelech’s land and marries Ruth. The LORD gives them a son, Obed, the women praise God for restoring Naomi, and a closing genealogy traces the family from Perez to King David.
General
Before the elders and the people, what purpose did Boaz give for taking Ruth as his wife (Ruth 4:10)?
Answer: To keep Mahlon’s name alive with his land
Boaz calls on the elders and everyone present to witness that he is buying from Naomi the whole estate of Elimelech and his two sons (4:9), and that he has taken Ruth, the widow of Mahlon, as his wife. His stated purpose is to preserve the dead man’s name on his land, so that Mahlon’s name would not be cut off from his relatives or his hometown (4:10). Zelophehad’s daughters had pleaded with the same concern, that a man’s name not vanish from his clan (Numbers 27:4). Boaz willingly takes on the cost the nearer redeemer would not. Many Christians have seen in Boaz a picture of Christ, the greater Redeemer, who at His own cost bought back a people for Himself (Titus 2:14; Galatians 4:4-5).
- Ruth 4:9-10 (BSB)“At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon. Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.””Boaz calls witnesses to his purchase and his marriage to Ruth and states his purpose.
- Numbers 27:4 (BSB)“Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.””Zelophehad’s daughters pleaded that their father’s name not disappear from his clan, the same purpose Boaz names.
- Titus 2:14 (BSB)“He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”Christ gave Himself to redeem a people for His own possession, the greater redemption many have seen pictured in Boaz.
- Galatians 4:4-5 (BSB)“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.”God sent His Son to redeem those under the law, showing Christ as the true Redeemer of His people.
Theological
What purpose does Boaz publicly state for acquiring Ruth (Ruth 4:10)?
Answer: To keep Mahlon’s name alive with his land
Before witnesses Boaz purchases the whole estate of Elimelech and his sons (4:9) and acquires Ruth, Mahlon’s widow, in order to perpetuate the dead man’s name on his inheritance and keep it from being cut off among his kin or at his town’s gate (4:10), the same concern Zelophehad’s daughters had pressed before Moses (Numbers 27:4). He freely assumes the cost the nearer kinsman refused. Many Christians have seen in Boaz a type of Christ, the greater Kinsman-Redeemer, who gave Himself to purchase a people as His own (Titus 2:14; Galatians 4:4-5).
- Ruth 4:9-10 (BSB)“At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon. Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.””Boaz calls witnesses to his purchase and his marriage to Ruth and states his purpose.
- Numbers 27:4 (BSB)“Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.””Zelophehad’s daughters pleaded that their father’s name not disappear from his clan, the same purpose Boaz names.
- Titus 2:14 (BSB)“He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”Christ gave Himself to redeem a people for His own possession, the greater redemption many have seen pictured in Boaz.
- Galatians 4:4-5 (BSB)“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.”God sent His Son to redeem those under the law, showing Christ as the true Redeemer of His people.
General
Why did Boaz settle the matter at the town gate with elders seated around him (Ruth 4:1-2, 9)?
Answer: So the elders could witness the matter openly
The town gate was Bethlehem’s public meeting place, where the elders, the respected older leaders of the town, heard and witnessed legal and family business (Deuteronomy 25:7). Boaz sat down there, called over the nearer redeemer as he passed, and had ten of the town’s elders sit with them (4:1-2). Everything would be done in the open. When the matter was decided, Boaz called on the elders and everyone present to serve as his witnesses (4:9). Abraham’s purchase of a burial field had been confirmed in the same public way, before the Hittites gathered at the gate (Genesis 23:17-18).
- Ruth 4:1-2 (BSB)“Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.”Boaz sits at the gate, calls over the nearer redeemer, and seats ten elders.
- Ruth 4:9 (BSB)“At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon.”Boaz formally calls the elders and the people his witnesses.
- Deuteronomy 25:7 (BSB)“But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.””Family and legal disputes were brought to the elders at the city gate.
- Genesis 23:17-18 (BSB)“So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.”Abraham’s purchase of a field was likewise confirmed before those gathered at the city gate.
Theological
What purpose do the gate and the ten elders serve in Boaz’s handling of the redemption (Ruth 4:1-2, 9)?
Answer: So the elders could witness the matter openly
The city gate functioned as the town’s court, where elders adjudicated and witnessed legal and family matters (Deuteronomy 25:7). Boaz convenes the nearer redeemer and ten elders there (4:1-2) so that the transaction is public and legally attested, and he later formally names elders and people as witnesses (4:9). The procedure parallels Abraham’s purchase of Machpelah, confirmed before the Hittites assembled at the gate (Genesis 23:17-18).
- Ruth 4:1-2 (BSB)“Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.”Boaz sits at the gate, calls over the nearer redeemer, and seats ten elders.
- Ruth 4:9 (BSB)“At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon.”Boaz formally calls the elders and the people his witnesses.
- Deuteronomy 25:7 (BSB)“But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.””Family and legal disputes were brought to the elders at the city gate.
- Genesis 23:17-18 (BSB)“So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.”Abraham’s purchase of a field was likewise confirmed before those gathered at the city gate.
General
The elders and the crowd at the gate blessed Boaz’s marriage. Which two women did they pray Ruth would be like (Ruth 4:11)?
Answer: Rachel and Leah
The elders and the crowd confirm that they are witnesses, and they pray that the LORD would make the woman coming into Boaz’s household resemble Rachel and Leah, the two wives of Jacob who bore eight of the twelve sons from whom Israel’s tribes came (4:11; Genesis 35:23-24). They pray that Boaz would prosper in Ephrathah, another name for Bethlehem (Genesis 35:19), and be renowned in Bethlehem. They also pray that his house would be like that of Perez, Judah’s son by Tamar, through the children the LORD would give him by Ruth (4:12; 1 Chronicles 2:4). Perez is a fitting choice, since Boaz himself descends from him, as the closing genealogy shows (4:18-21). The blessing asks the LORD to build the family.
- Ruth 4:11-12 (BSB)““We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem. And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.””The elders and people affirm they are witnesses and pronounce a blessing on Boaz’s marriage.
- Genesis 35:23-24 (BSB)“The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.”Leah and Rachel bore eight of Jacob’s twelve sons, the fathers of Israel’s tribes, the house the blessing recalls.
- 1 Chronicles 2:4 (BSB)“Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.”Tamar bore Perez to Judah, the forefather the blessing holds up as a model for Boaz’s house.
- Genesis 35:19 (BSB)“So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”Ephrath is identified as Bethlehem, so the blessing names the same town twice.
Theological
In the gate blessing, which matriarchs are invoked as the pattern for Ruth (Ruth 4:11)?
Answer: Rachel and Leah
The witnesses invoke Rachel and Leah, the wives of Jacob who bore eight of the twelve sons from whom Israel’s tribes descended (4:11; Genesis 35:23-24), and pray for Boaz’s standing in Ephrathah and Bethlehem, two names for the same town (Genesis 35:19). They add that his house should be like that of Perez, Judah’s son by Tamar (4:12; 1 Chronicles 2:4), apt because Boaz belongs to the Perezite line traced at the book’s end (4:18-21). The blessing looks to the LORD to give offspring and so build Boaz’s house.
- Ruth 4:11-12 (BSB)““We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem. And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.””The elders and people affirm they are witnesses and pronounce a blessing on Boaz’s marriage.
- Genesis 35:23-24 (BSB)“The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.”Leah and Rachel bore eight of Jacob’s twelve sons, the fathers of Israel’s tribes, the house the blessing recalls.
- 1 Chronicles 2:4 (BSB)“Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.”Tamar bore Perez to Judah, the forefather the blessing holds up as a model for Boaz’s house.
- Genesis 35:19 (BSB)“So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”Ephrath is identified as Bethlehem, so the blessing names the same town twice.
General
Once Boaz explained that buying the land also meant taking Ruth as wife, what reason did the nearer redeemer give for backing out (Ruth 4:6)?
Answer: It would put his own inheritance at risk
Boaz now adds the other half of the matter. On the day the man makes the purchase, he must also take Ruth, the dead man’s widow, as his wife, so that the dead man’s name would stay attached to his land (4:5). A son born to Ruth would carry on that family line. The nearer redeemer then backs out, saying he cannot do it without endangering his own inheritance, and he passes his right of redemption over to Boaz (4:6). The text gives no other reason. The arrangement resembles the law about the duty a man owed his dead brother’s widow, whose first son would preserve the dead brother’s name (Deuteronomy 25:5-6), and the concern that a man’s name not vanish along with his land (Numbers 27:4), though Ruth’s case is not identical to either law.
- Ruth 4:5-6 (BSB)“Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.””Boaz adds that buying the land includes taking Ruth as wife; the nearer redeemer then gives up his right.
- Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (BSB)“When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.”The law of a brother-in-law’s duty also aimed at a son who would carry on a dead man’s name, the concern behind Boaz’s condition.
- Numbers 27:4 (BSB)“Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.””Zelophehad’s daughters showed the same concern that a man’s name not vanish from his clan with his land.
Theological
What reason does the nearer kinsman give for relinquishing his right of redemption (Ruth 4:6)?
Answer: It would put his own inheritance at risk
Boaz discloses that acquiring the field entails acquiring Ruth, the widow, to perpetuate the dead man’s name on his inheritance (4:5). The nearer redeemer withdraws, stating that he would endanger his own inheritance, and cedes his right to Boaz (4:6); the text offers no further motive. The obligation draws on the same concern as the brother-in-law law of Deuteronomy 25:5-6 and the petition of Zelophehad’s daughters (Numbers 27:4), the preservation of a dead man’s name with his land, though Ruth’s case does not map exactly onto either.
- Ruth 4:5-6 (BSB)“Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.””Boaz adds that buying the land includes taking Ruth as wife; the nearer redeemer then gives up his right.
- Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (BSB)“When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.”The law of a brother-in-law’s duty also aimed at a son who would carry on a dead man’s name, the concern behind Boaz’s condition.
- Numbers 27:4 (BSB)“Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.””Zelophehad’s daughters showed the same concern that a man’s name not vanish from his clan with his land.
General
True or False: When Boaz first offered him Elimelech’s land, the nearer redeemer said he would redeem it (Ruth 4:4).
Answer: True
This is true. Boaz explains that Naomi, now home from Moab, wants to sell the plot that had belonged to their relative Elimelech. Before the elders, he offers the nearer redeemer the first right to buy it back, adding that he himself is next in line (4:3-4). The man agrees at once. Buying back a struggling relative’s land kept it within the family, as the law allowed the closest relative to do (Leviticus 25:25). Long afterward the LORD told Jeremiah his cousin would offer him a field on the same basis (Jeremiah 32:7).
- Ruth 4:3-4 (BSB)“And he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. I thought I should inform you that you may buy it back in the presence of those seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you want to redeem it, do so. But if you will not redeem it, tell me so I may know, because there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.” “I will redeem it,” he replied.”Boaz offers the nearer redeemer the first right to buy back Elimelech’s land, and he agrees.
- Leviticus 25:25 (BSB)“If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.”The law allowed the nearest relative to buy back property a poor relative had sold.
- Jeremiah 32:7 (BSB)“Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy for yourself my field in Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.’”Jeremiah’s cousin later offered him a field on the basis of the same family right of redemption.
Theological
True or False: The nearer redeemer initially accepts the offer to redeem Elimelech’s field (Ruth 4:4).
Answer: True
This is true. Boaz lays out that Naomi is selling Elimelech’s portion and offers the nearer kinsman the right of first redemption, with himself next in order (4:3-4). The man accepts. Land redemption by the nearest relative kept property within the family line (Leviticus 25:25), the same right on which Jeremiah’s cousin later offered him a field (Jeremiah 32:7).
- Ruth 4:3-4 (BSB)“And he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. I thought I should inform you that you may buy it back in the presence of those seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you want to redeem it, do so. But if you will not redeem it, tell me so I may know, because there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.” “I will redeem it,” he replied.”Boaz offers the nearer redeemer the first right to buy back Elimelech’s land, and he agrees.
- Leviticus 25:25 (BSB)“If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.”The law allowed the nearest relative to buy back property a poor relative had sold.
- Jeremiah 32:7 (BSB)“Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy for yourself my field in Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.’”Jeremiah’s cousin later offered him a field on the basis of the same family right of redemption.
General
How does the book of Ruth end, after Naomi takes the child into her care (Ruth 4:17-22)?
Answer: With a family line running from Perez to David
Naomi takes the child onto her lap and cares for him, and the neighbor women name him Obed, declaring that Naomi now has a son (4:16-17). Obed’s son was Jesse, and Jesse’s son was David. The book then closes with a family line traced from Perez down through Boaz and Obed to David (4:18-22). The story of a Moabite widow and a faithful redeemer leads to Israel’s great king, whom the LORD would choose from among Jesse’s sons in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:1). Matthew carries the line further, naming Boaz as Obed’s father by Ruth in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5-6), and Luke’s genealogy also passes through these men (Luke 3:31-32). In God’s providence, a foreign woman who took refuge in the LORD became an ancestor of the Messiah.
- Ruth 4:16-17 (BSB)“And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him. The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse, the father of David.”Naomi cares for the child, and the neighbor women name him Obed, the grandfather of David.
- Ruth 4:18-22 (BSB)“Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron was the father of Ram, Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, Nahshon was the father of Salmon, Salmon was the father of Boaz, Boaz was the father of Obed, Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David.”The book closes with the genealogy of Perez down to David.
- 1 Samuel 16:1 (BSB)“Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.””The LORD later chose a king from among the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem.
- Matthew 1:5-6 (BSB)“Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,”Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus names Boaz, Ruth, Obed, Jesse and David.
- Luke 3:31-32 (BSB)“the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,”Luke’s genealogy of Jesus also runs through David, Jesse, Obed and Boaz.
Theological
With what does the book of Ruth conclude (Ruth 4:17-22)?
Answer: With a family line running from Perez to David
After the neighbor women name the child Obed and declare a son born to Naomi (4:16-17), the narrator identifies Obed as David’s grandfather and closes with a genealogy from Perez to David (4:18-22). The book’s horizon is thus royal: the LORD would choose His king from Jesse’s sons (1 Samuel 16:1). Matthew explicitly sets Ruth in the messianic line, naming Boaz as Obed’s father by her (Matthew 1:5-6), and Luke traces the same descent (Luke 3:31-32). The LORD’s sovereign providence brought a Moabitess who sought refuge in Him into the ancestry of Christ.
- Ruth 4:16-17 (BSB)“And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him. The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse, the father of David.”Naomi cares for the child, and the neighbor women name him Obed, the grandfather of David.
- Ruth 4:18-22 (BSB)“Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron was the father of Ram, Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, Nahshon was the father of Salmon, Salmon was the father of Boaz, Boaz was the father of Obed, Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David.”The book closes with the genealogy of Perez down to David.
- 1 Samuel 16:1 (BSB)“Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.””The LORD later chose a king from among the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem.
- Matthew 1:5-6 (BSB)“Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,”Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus names Boaz, Ruth, Obed, Jesse and David.
- Luke 3:31-32 (BSB)“the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,”Luke’s genealogy of Jesus also runs through David, Jesse, Obed and Boaz.
General
According to the narrator, what did removing a sandal and handing it over mean in Israel’s earlier days (Ruth 4:7)?
Answer: It confirmed that a deal was legally binding
The narrator pauses to explain an older custom. When property was redeemed or exchanged, a man made the agreement binding by taking off his sandal and handing it over, and this served as confirmation in Israel (4:7). So the nearer redeemer took off his sandal and told Boaz to buy the land himself (4:8). The text presents this as the ordinary way a transfer was sealed. Other land deals in Scripture were confirmed with public acts too: Jeremiah signed and sealed a deed before witnesses (Jeremiah 32:10), and Abraham’s field was deeded to him before those gathered at the gate (Genesis 23:17-18).
- Ruth 4:7-8 (BSB)“Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. So the kinsman-redeemer removed his sandal and said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.””The narrator explains the old custom, and the nearer redeemer carries it out.
- Jeremiah 32:10 (BSB)“I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales.”Jeremiah’s land purchase was likewise confirmed by a formal act before witnesses.
- Genesis 23:17-18 (BSB)“So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.”Abraham’s field was formally transferred to him before those at the city gate, another public confirmation of a sale.
Theological
How does the narrator explain the significance of the sandal in Ruth 4:7-8?
Answer: It confirmed that a deal was legally binding
The narrator glosses the custom himself: in matters of redemption or exchange, handing over a sandal ratified the transaction and served as attestation in Israel (4:7). The nearer redeemer does so, ceding the purchase to Boaz (4:8). The act is presented as a legal confirmation, comparable in function to the sealed deed and witnesses of Jeremiah’s purchase (Jeremiah 32:10) and the public conveyance of Abraham’s field (Genesis 23:17-18).
- Ruth 4:7-8 (BSB)“Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. So the kinsman-redeemer removed his sandal and said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.””The narrator explains the old custom, and the nearer redeemer carries it out.
- Jeremiah 32:10 (BSB)“I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales.”Jeremiah’s land purchase was likewise confirmed by a formal act before witnesses.
- Genesis 23:17-18 (BSB)“So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.”Abraham’s field was formally transferred to him before those at the city gate, another public confirmation of a sale.
General
True or False: The narrator credits the birth of Ruth’s son to the LORD, saying He gave her the ability to conceive (Ruth 4:13).
Answer: True
This is true. Boaz married Ruth, and the narrator says plainly that the LORD granted her conception, and she bore a son (4:13). This is only the second time the narrator himself names the LORD acting directly; the first was when the LORD gave His people food again after the famine (1:6). Elsewhere Scripture likewise treats children as the LORD’s gift (Psalm 127:3) and credits God with opening Rachel’s womb (Genesis 30:22). In Ruth, the hidden hand of God behind the whole story is named openly at the birth of this child.
- Ruth 4:13 (BSB)“So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.”Boaz marries Ruth, and the narrator credits her conception to the LORD.
- Ruth 1:6 (BSB)“When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had attended to His people by providing them with food, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to leave the land of Moab.”The only other place the narrator names the LORD acting directly is His provision of food for His people.
- Psalm 127:3 (BSB)“Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.”Scripture calls children a heritage from the LORD, the source the narrator names.
- Genesis 30:22 (BSB)“Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb,”God opening Rachel’s womb is another case of Scripture crediting conception to Him.
Theological
True or False: The narrator explicitly attributes Ruth’s conception to the LORD (Ruth 4:13).
Answer: True
This is true. After the marriage the narrator states that the LORD granted Ruth conception and she bore a son (4:13). Apart from 1:6, where the LORD provides food for His people, this is the narrator’s only direct statement of divine action in the book; elsewhere providence works through ordinary events and is voiced by the characters. Scripture consistently attributes children to God as His gift (Psalm 127:3; Genesis 30:22).
- Ruth 4:13 (BSB)“So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.”Boaz marries Ruth, and the narrator credits her conception to the LORD.
- Ruth 1:6 (BSB)“When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had attended to His people by providing them with food, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to leave the land of Moab.”The only other place the narrator names the LORD acting directly is His provision of food for His people.
- Psalm 127:3 (BSB)“Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.”Scripture calls children a heritage from the LORD, the source the narrator names.
- Genesis 30:22 (BSB)“Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb,”God opening Rachel’s womb is another case of Scripture crediting conception to Him.
General
After the birth, the women of Bethlehem praised the LORD. What did they say He had not left Naomi without (Ruth 4:14)?
Answer: A redeemer to restore her family
The women bless the LORD for providing Naomi that day with a kinsman-redeemer, and they pray that the child’s name would be renowned in Israel (4:14). The redeemer they mean is the baby himself: he would restore Naomi’s life and provide for her when she was old, born to Ruth, who loves her and is worth more to her than seven sons (4:15). Seven sons pictured the fullest family blessing (1 Samuel 2:5). The woman who said she had come back empty (1:21) now has a family again, the kind of reversal the LORD delights to give (Psalm 113:9).
- Ruth 4:14-15 (BSB)“Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous in Israel. He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.””The women of Bethlehem praise the LORD to Naomi for the child and for Ruth.
- Ruth 1:21 (BSB)“I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.””Naomi had said she came back empty, the loss the women now see reversed.
- 1 Samuel 2:5 (BSB)“The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away.”Hannah’s song pictures the fullest family blessing as seven children, the measure the women say Ruth surpasses.
- Psalm 113:9 (BSB)“He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!”The LORD gives the childless woman a home and children, the kind of reversal Naomi experiences.
Theological
For what do the women of Bethlehem bless the LORD in Ruth 4:14?
Answer: A redeemer to restore her family
The women praise the LORD for providing Naomi with a kinsman-redeemer, here the newborn son, and pray his name will be renowned in Israel (4:14). He will restore her life and sustain her in age, born of Ruth, whose devotion makes her worth more to Naomi than seven sons, the proverbial fullness of family blessing (4:15; 1 Samuel 2:5). Naomi’s lament of emptiness (1:21) is answered by the LORD who gives the desolate a household (Psalm 113:9).
- Ruth 4:14-15 (BSB)“Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous in Israel. He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.””The women of Bethlehem praise the LORD to Naomi for the child and for Ruth.
- Ruth 1:21 (BSB)“I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.””Naomi had said she came back empty, the loss the women now see reversed.
- 1 Samuel 2:5 (BSB)“The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away.”Hannah’s song pictures the fullest family blessing as seven children, the measure the women say Ruth surpasses.
- Psalm 113:9 (BSB)“He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!”The LORD gives the childless woman a home and children, the kind of reversal Naomi experiences.