1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which [was] our brother Elimelech’s:
4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy [it] before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem [it], redeem [it]: but if thou wilt not redeem [it, then] tell me, that I may know: for [there is] none to redeem [it] beside thee; and I [am] after thee. And he said, I will redeem [it].
5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy [it] also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem [it] for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem [it].
7 Now this [was the manner] in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave [it] to his neighbour: and this [was] a testimony in Israel.
8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy [it] for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and [unto] all the people, Ye [are] witnesses this day, that I have bought all that [was] Elimelech’s, and all that [was] Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye [are] witnesses this day.
11 And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed [be] the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of [thy] life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he [is] the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 Now these [are] the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
20 And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
Summary of Ruth Chapter 4
Ruth Chapter 4 concludes the story of Ruth and highlights themes of redemption, loyalty, and divine providence. The chapter focuses on the legal and social customs of the time, particularly concerning land ownership and family obligations.
Key Characters
- Boaz: A wealthy relative of Naomi who acts as the kinsman-redeemer.
- Ruth: The Moabite widow who seeks security and a future through Boaz.
- Naomi: Ruth’s mother-in-law, who plays a crucial role in guiding Ruth.
- The near kinsman: A relative of Naomi who has the first right to redeem the land.
Plot Analysis
- Boaz’s Initiative (Verses 1-2):
Boaz goes to the city gate, a place of legal transactions, to meet the near kinsman. He gathers ten elders of the city to witness the proceedings, ensuring that the transaction is legitimate and public.
- The Offer of Redemption (Verses 3-4):
Boaz informs the near kinsman about Naomi’s land and offers him the opportunity to redeem it. The near kinsman initially agrees, showing interest in the land.
- The Condition of Marriage (Verses 5-6):
Boaz reveals that redeeming the land also requires marrying Ruth, the widow of Naomi’s deceased son. The near kinsman declines, fearing it would jeopardize his own inheritance.
- Boaz’s Acceptance (Verses 7-10):
With the near kinsman’s refusal, Boaz steps forward to redeem both the land and Ruth. He publicly declares his intention to marry Ruth, emphasizing his commitment to both her and Naomi.
- The Blessing of the Elders (Verses 11-12):
The elders and the people present bless Boaz and Ruth, wishing them prosperity and a legacy that surpasses that of Rachel and Leah, the matriarchs of Israel.
- The Birth of Obed (Verses 13-17):
Ruth and Boaz marry, and Ruth gives birth to a son named Obed. The women of the community celebrate, recognizing Obed as a blessing to Naomi, who now has a grandson to care for her.
- Genealogy of David (Verses 18-22):
The chapter concludes with a genealogy that traces Obed to King David, emphasizing the significance of Ruth and Boaz’s union in the larger narrative of Israel’s history.
Thematic Analysis
- Redemption:
The concept of the kinsman-redeemer is central to the chapter, illustrating the importance of family loyalty and responsibility. Boaz’s role as the redeemer signifies hope and restoration for Ruth and Naomi.
- Divine Providence:
The unfolding events demonstrate God’s providential care for His people. Ruth’s journey from Moab to becoming the great-grandmother of David showcases God’s plan in using unlikely individuals for His purposes.
- Community and Witness:
The public nature of Boaz’s transaction highlights the importance of community in personal and legal matters. The blessings from the elders signify communal support and acknowledgment of God’s work in their lives.
- Inclusivity:
Ruth, a Moabite, is integrated into the lineage of Israel’s greatest king, illustrating God’s acceptance of all people and His ability to work through anyone, regardless of their background.
Conclusion
Ruth Chapter 4 encapsulates the themes of loyalty, redemption, and divine providence, culminating in a narrative that not only highlights personal relationships but also sets the stage for the lineage of David. The chapter serves as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and the blessings that arise from obedience and love.
