Bible Commentaries
Ruth 4

Introduction

Overview

Ruth 4:1, Boaz calls into judgment the next kinsman; Ruth 4:6, He refuses the redemption according to the manner in Israel; Ruth 4:9, Boaz buys the inheritance; Ruth 4:11, He marries Ruth; Ruth 4:13, She bears Obed, the grandfather of David; Ruth 4:18, The generations of Pharez unto David.

Verse 1

to the gate: Deuteronomy 16:18, Deuteronomy 17:5, Deuteronomy 21:19, Deuteronomy 25:7, Job 29:7, Job 31:21, Amos 5:10-12, Amos 5:15

the kinsman: Ruth 3:12

such: Isaiah 55:1, Zechariah 2:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:10 - all that Genesis 23:11 - in the Genesis 23:18 - all Genesis 34:20 - the gate Deuteronomy 25:6 - that his name Joshua 20:4 - at the entering Proverbs 31:23 - in the Amos 5:12 - in the

Verse 2

the elders: Exodus 18:21, Exodus 18:22, Exodus 21:8, Deuteronomy 29:10, Deuteronomy 31:28, 1 Kings 21:8, Proverbs 31:23, Lamentations 5:14, Acts 6:12

Reciprocal: Joshua 20:4 - at the entering Job 29:7 - General Isaiah 8:2 - I took

Verse 3

he said: Psalms 112:5, Proverbs 13:10

Reciprocal: Numbers 27:11 - kinsman

Verse 4

I thought: Heb. I said I will reveal in thine ear

Buy it: Jeremiah 32:7-9, Jeremiah 32:25, Romans 12:17, 2 Corinthians 8:21, Philippians 4:8

before the inhabitants: Genesis 23:18, Jeremiah 32:10-12

for there is none: Leviticus 25:25-29

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:11 - in the 2 Samuel 7:27 - revealed

Verse 5

What day: Or rather, according to the emendations proposed by Houbigant and Dr. Kennicott, and which have been confirmed by a great many manuscripts since collated, and agreeably to the ancient versions, "In the day thou purchasest the land from the hand of Naomi, thou wilt also acquire Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of the dead," etc. This is Boaz's statement of the case to his kinsman, before the people and elders.

to raise up: Ruth 3:12, Ruth 3:13, Genesis 38:8, Deuteronomy 25:5, Deuteronomy 25:6, Matthew 22:24, Luke 20:28

Reciprocal: Mark 12:19 - If

Verse 6

I cannot: The Targum seems to give the proper sense of this passage: "I cannot redeem it, because I have a wife already; and it is not fit for me to bring another into my house, lest brawling and contention arise in it; and lest I hurt my own inheritance. Do thou redeem it, for thou has no wife; which hinders me from redeeming it." Ruth 4:6

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 23:3 - Ammonite Deuteronomy 25:8 - I like not Ruth 2:20 - one of our

Verse 7

a man plucked off: This custom does not refer to the law about refusing to marry a brother's widow, but was usual in the transfer of inheritances: for this relative was not a brother, but simply a kinsman; and the shoe was not pulled off by Ruth, but by the kinsman himself. The Targumist, instead of his shoe, renders "his right hand glove," it probably being the custom, in his time, to give that instead of a shoe. Jarchi says, "When we purchase anything new, it is customary to give, instead of a shoe, a handkerchief or veil." Deuteronomy 25:7-10

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:17 - made sure Genesis 23:20 - were Deuteronomy 25:9 - loose his shoe Psalms 108:9 - I cast

Verse 8

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 25:9 - loose his shoe Psalms 108:9 - I cast

Verse 9

Ye are witnesses: Genesis 23:16-18, Jeremiah 32:10-12

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:11 - in the

Verse 10

have I: Genesis 29:18, Genesis 29:19, Genesis 29:27, Proverbs 18:22, Proverbs 19:14, Proverbs 31:10, Proverbs 31:11, Hosea 3:2, Hosea 12:12, Ephesians 5:25

the name: Deuteronomy 25:6, Joshua 7:9, Psalms 34:16, Psalms 109:15, Isaiah 48:19, Zechariah 13:2

ye are witnesses: Isaiah 8:2, Isaiah 8:3, Malachi 2:14, Hebrews 13:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:37 - Moabites Genesis 29:22 - and made Genesis 38:9 - General Deuteronomy 23:3 - Ammonite Deuteronomy 25:9 - So shall 1 Samuel 22:3 - the king John 4:18 - is not

Verse 11

the Lord: Genesis 24:60, Psalms 127:3-5, Psalms 128:3-6

Rachel: Genesis 29:32-35, Genesis 30:1-24, Genesis 35:16-20, Genesis 46:8-27, Numbers 26:1-65

build: Deuteronomy 25:9, Proverbs 14:1

do thou worthily: or, get thee riches, or power

Ephratah: Ruth 1:2, Genesis 35:16, Genesis 35:19, Psalms 132:6, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:6

be famous: Heb. proclaim thy name

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:2 - obtain children Genesis 23:11 - in the Genesis 29:16 - was Leah Genesis 30:3 - have children by her Genesis 31:14 - Rachel Genesis 48:9 - my sons Genesis 48:19 - become Genesis 48:20 - Israel bless Deuteronomy 6:7 - shalt talk Ruth 2:4 - And they 1 Samuel 2:20 - blessed 1 Chronicles 2:51 - Bethlehem Job 29:7 - General Isaiah 8:2 - I took Jeremiah 29:22 - shall be Zechariah 8:13 - ye shall Matthew 2:5 - General Luke 2:4 - unto

Verse 12

the house: Genesis 46:12, Numbers 26:20-22

whom: Genesis 38:29, 1 Chronicles 2:4, Matthew 1:3

of the seed: 1 Samuel 2:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:60 - they Genesis 48:19 - become Genesis 48:20 - Israel bless Ruth 4:13 - the Lord Zechariah 8:13 - ye shall Luke 3:33 - Phares

Verse 13

am 2697, bc 1307, An, Ex, Is, 184

Boaz: Ruth 3:11

the Lord: Ruth 4:12, Genesis 20:17, Genesis 20:18, Genesis 21:1-3, Genesis 25:21, Genesis 29:31, Genesis 30:2, Genesis 30:22, Genesis 30:23, Genesis 33:5, 1 Samuel 1:27, Ruth 2:5, Psalms 113:9, Psalms 127:3

Verse 14

the women: Luke 1:58, Romans 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:26

Blessed: Genesis 29:35, Psalms 34:1-3, Psalms 103:1, Psalms 103:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 2 Thessalonians 1:3

which hath: Genesis 24:27

left thee: Heb. caused to cease unto thee

kinsman: or, redeemer

that his: Ruth 4:21, Ruth 4:22, Genesis 12:2, Isaiah 11:1-4, Matthew 1:5-20

Reciprocal: Psalms 107:41 - setteth Galatians 4:27 - desolate

Verse 15

a nourisher: etc. Heb. to nourish thy grey hairs, Genesis 45:11, Genesis 47:12, Psalms 55:22, Isaiah 46:4

for thy: Ruth 1:16-18

better: 1 Samuel 1:8, Proverbs 18:24

Reciprocal: Ruth 4:17 - Obed

Verse 17

the women: Luke 1:58-63

Obed: That is, הןץכוץשם, serving, or a servant, as Josephus interprets it. Ruth 4:15

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 22:3 - the king 1 Chronicles 2:37 - Obed Psalms 78:68 - chose Isaiah 11:1 - of Jesse Luke 2:4 - unto

Verse 18

Pharez: 1 Chronicles 2:4-8, 1 Chronicles 4:1, Matthew 1:3, Luke 3:33, Phares, Esrom

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:7 - Nahshon Numbers 26:20 - Pharez 1 Samuel 16:1 - Jesse 1 Chronicles 2:5 - Hezron Nehemiah 11:4 - Perez Luke 3:32 - was the son of Jesse Hebrews 7:14 - sprang

Verse 19

begat Ram: 1 Chronicles 2:9, 1 Chronicles 2:10, Matthew 1:4, Luke 3:33, Aram, Aminadab

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:23 - Amminadab Matthew 1:3 - Aram

Verse 20

Nahshon: Numbers 1:7, Matthew 1:4, Luke 3:32, Naasson

Salmon: or, Samlah

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:23 - Amminadab Numbers 2:3 - Nahshon Numbers 7:12 - General 1 Chronicles 2:10 - Amminadab Luke 3:33 - Aminadab

Verse 21

Salmon: 1 Chronicles 2:11, Salma, Matthew 1:5, Luke 3:32

and Boaz: 1 Chronicles 2:12, Matthew 1:5, Luke 3:32, Booz

Reciprocal: Ruth 2:1 - Boaz Ruth 2:5 - General Ruth 4:14 - that his 1 Kings 7:21 - Boaz Luke 2:4 - unto

Verse 22

Jesse: 1 Samuel 16:1, Isaiah 11:1

David: 1 Chronicles 2:15, Matthew 1:6, Luke 3:31

Reciprocal: Ruth 4:14 - that his 1 Samuel 17:12 - David 1 Chronicles 2:12 - Jesse Matthew 1:5 - Booz Luke 2:4 - unto