Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, July 20th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Bible Commentaries
Bridgeway Bible Commentary Bridgeway Bible Commentary
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Fleming, Donald C. "Commentary on Ruth 4". "Fleming's Bridgeway Bible Commentary". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bbc/ruth-4.html. 2005.
Fleming, Donald C. "Commentary on Ruth 4". "Fleming's Bridgeway Bible Commentary". https://studylight.org/
Whole Bible (45)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (3)
Verses 1-22
Boaz marries Ruth (4:1-22)
Feeling the effects of the poverty of widowhood, Naomi decided to sell her late husbandâs land. To prevent the land from passing out of the family, she had to ensure that it was bought (or redeemed) by the nearest relative (cf. Leviticus 25:23-28). In this case that person was the same one who had to produce through Ruth an heir who could carry on the names of the late Elimelech (Naomiâs husband) and Mahlon (Elimelechâs son and Ruthâs husband). But should such an heir be born, he would also inherit the family property. That meant that the close relative who bought Naomiâs land would later lose it if he produced a son through Ruth. The man was willing to buy Naomiâs land if that was all he was required to do, but to marry Ruth as well would cause him financial loss (4:1-6).
By the ceremony of handing over his shoe, the man with the right to buy Naomiâs property indicated that he was handing this right over to Boaz. The way was now clear for Boaz to marry Ruth. This gave Boaz the chance to keep alive the family name of Elimelech (and Mahlon), to hold on to their family property, and to marry the woman he loved (7-10). The witnesses and onlookers at the ceremony blessed Boaz and Ruth with the wish that God would make them as fruitful and prosperous as Israelâs ancestors (11-12).
The child born to Boaz and Ruth meant a lot to Naomi, but what most enriched her life was the love and care of her daughter-in-law Ruth (13-15). History shows that the onlookersâ good wishes for Boaz and Ruthâs child were fulfilled in a greater way than they could possibly have expected. The child not merely carried on the name of Naomiâs husband and son, but he became the grandfather of King David and an ancestor of Jesus the Messiah (16-22; cf. Matthew 1:1,Matthew 1:5).