FocusA public settlement and a son
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The matter is settled before witnesses, Obed is born, and the genealogy connects this family's story with David.
interpretation Ruth 4:11
KJVAnd 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:
Read it in context
Boaz redeems at the city gate
Start reading at Ruth 4:1 (Ruth 4:1 to Ruth 4:12).
Boaz settles the redemption publicly before elders; the nearer kinsman declines and Boaz buys the inheritance and takes Ruth as wife.
- 4:1 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.
- 4:2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
- 4:3 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:
- 4:4 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.
- 4:5 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.
- 4:6 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.
- 4:7 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.
- 4:8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
- 4:9 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.
- 4:10 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.
- 4:11 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:
- 4:12 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Samuel is the traditional Jewish attribution, but the identity of the final writer is uncertain. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Ruth 4:1–4:22): Boaz, the nearer kinsman, and the elders conduct the transaction at the city gate. The people and women of Bethlehem respond to the family's restoration. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israelite readers, with particular interest in Ruth's incorporation into Israel and the family line leading to David. The book does not identify a named recipient. Biblical references: Ruth 1:16; Ruth 4:17; Ruth 4:22. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Boaz Redeems Ruth. Read Ruth 4:1 through Ruth 4:12 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The matter is settled before witnesses, Obed is born, and the genealogy connects this family's story with David. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? Ruth 1:1 places the account in the days of the judges. The return to Bethlehem and later work are connected with barley and wheat harvests. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The story moves from Bethlehem to Moab and back to Bethlehem, including the field, threshing floor, and city gate. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Boaz redeems at the city gate (Ruth 4:1 to Ruth 4:12). Start reading at Ruth 4:1.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Matthew's genealogy names Ruth and Boaz in the line leading to David and Jesus. Calling Boaz a type of Christ goes beyond that explicit genealogy and should be labeled as an interpretive comparison. See Ruth 4:21, Ruth 4:22, Matthew 1:5, Matthew 1:16. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Value loyal care, generous provision, and integrity in public dealings. Read the redemption arrangements in their family and legal setting before drawing a modern analogy. interpretation
Cited: Ruth 4:1, Ruth 4:12, Ruth 4:21, Ruth 4:22, Matthew 1:5, Matthew 1:16
Who wrote it, and how we know
Samuel (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Samuel.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated and is uncertain.
Related passages
- the Lord Gen 24:60 Ps 127:3-5 Ps 128:3-6
- Rachel Gen 29:32-35 Gen 30:1-24 Gen 35:16-20 Gen 46:8-27 Num 26:1-65
- build Deut 25:9 Prov 14:1
- Ephratah Ruth 1:2 Gen 35:16,19 Ps 132:6 Mic 5:2 Matt 2:6
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Ruth 4
Ruth is set in the days of the judges and follows Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. The writer is not named. The genealogy explicitly leads to David; a further connection to Jesus rests on the later genealogy in Matthew. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Ruth 1:1 Ruth 4:22 Matthew 1:5
Boaz Marries Ruth
Ruth 4:13–17FocusA public settlement and a son
Connection to the wholeThe matter is settled before witnesses, Obed is born, and the genealogy connects this family's story with David.
interpretation The Line of David
Ruth 4:18–22FocusA public settlement and a son
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The matter is settled before witnesses, Obed is born, and the genealogy connects this family's story with David.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Ruth
Ruth is set in the days of the judges and follows Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. The writer is not named. The genealogy explicitly leads to David; a further connection to Jesus rests on the later genealogy in Matthew.
Ruth 1:1 Ruth 4:22 Matthew 1:5
Loss and return
Ruth 1:1–22FocusNaomi and Ruth come to Bethlehem
Connection to the wholeThe losses in Moab and Ruth's commitment lead the two women to Bethlehem at harvest time.
interpretation Provision in the harvest
Ruth 2:1–23FocusRuth meets Boaz
Connection to the wholeRuth's gleaning and Boaz's kindness introduce the family relationship on which the later redemption depends.
interpretation The appeal at the threshing floor
Ruth 3:1–18FocusA request and an unresolved right
Connection to the wholeRuth's appeal receives a favorable response, but Boaz identifies the nearer kinsman's prior right.
interpretation FocusA public settlement and a son
Connection to the wholeThe matter is settled before witnesses, Obed is born, and the genealogy connects this family's story with David.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.