WHAT I HAVE LEARNED:
Meanings of Names
Elimelech = My God Is King
Naomi = My Pleasant One, or Pleasant
Ruth = Appearance, or Beauty
Boaz = In Him Is Strength
The Lord (JHVH; Heb. Jehovah) = He That Is, That Was, And That Is To Come
Obed = Serving
Jesse = Wealth
David = Beloved
Summary of the Chapter
Boaz goes and speaks with the nearer relative (v.1) whom he had mentioned earlier (3:12). He gathers ten elders of the city to bear witness to what was about to transpire (v.2). Boaz informs the other man of Naomi's predicament with the land and asks if he will redeem it, seeing as how he is the nearer relative (vv.3-4). When the man says he will redeem it, Boaz adds that he must also purchase Ruth and raise up an inheritance in the place of her late husband (v.5). Upon hearing these conditions, the nearer relative declines and passes the obligation to Boaz who accepts the obligation willingly (vv.6-12). Boaz marries Ruth and they have a child (vv.13-15), whom they named Obed (v.17).
WILMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE
MATTHEW HENRY’S ABRIDGED COMMENTARY
The Kinsman Refuses To Redeem Ruth’s Inheritance
Ver. 1-8. This matter depended on the laws given by Moses about inheritances, and doubtless the whole was settled in the regular and legal manner. This kinsman, when he heard the conditions of the bargain, refused it. In like manner many are shy of the great redemption; they are not willing to espouse religion; they have heard well of it, and have nothing to say against it; they will give it their good word, but they are willing to part with it, and cannot be bound to it, for fear of marring their own inheritance in this world.
The right was resigned to Boaz. Fair and open dealing in all matters of contract and trade, is what all must make conscience of, who would approve themselves true Israelites, without guile. Honesty will be found the best policy.
Boaz Marries Ruth
Ver. 9-12. Men are ready to seize opportunities for increasing their estates, but few know the value of godliness. Such are the wise men of this world, whom the Lord charges with folly. They attend not to the concerns of their souls, but reject the salvation of Christ, for fear of marring their inheritance. But God did Boaz the honour to bring him into the line of the Messiah, while the kinsman, who was afraid of lessening himself, and marring his inheritance, has his name, family, and inheritance forgotten.
Birth of Obed
Ver. 13-22. Ruth bore a son, through whom thousands and myriads were born to God; and in being the lineal ancestor of Christ, she was instrumental in the happiness of all that shall be saved by him; even of us Gentiles, as well as those of Jewish descent. She was a witness for God to the Gentile world, that he had not utterly forsaken them, but that in due time they should become one with his chosen people, and partake of his salvation. Prayer to God attended the marriage, and praise to him attended the birth of the child. What a pity it is that pious language should not be more used among Christians, or that it should be let fall into formality!
Here is the descent of David from Ruth. And the period came when Bethlehem-Judah displayed greater wonders than those in the history of Ruth, when the outcast babe of another forlorn female of the same race appeared, controlling the counsels of the Roman master of the world, and drawing princes and wise men from the east, with treasures of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh to his feet. His name shall endure for ever, and all nations shall call him blessed. In that Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
Meanings of Names
Elimelech = My God Is King
Naomi = My Pleasant One, or Pleasant
Ruth = Appearance, or Beauty
Boaz = In Him Is Strength
The Lord (JHVH; Heb. Jehovah) = He That Is, That Was, And That Is To Come
Obed = Serving
Jesse = Wealth
David = Beloved
Summary of the Chapter
Boaz goes and speaks with the nearer relative (v.1) whom he had mentioned earlier (3:12). He gathers ten elders of the city to bear witness to what was about to transpire (v.2). Boaz informs the other man of Naomi's predicament with the land and asks if he will redeem it, seeing as how he is the nearer relative (vv.3-4). When the man says he will redeem it, Boaz adds that he must also purchase Ruth and raise up an inheritance in the place of her late husband (v.5). Upon hearing these conditions, the nearer relative declines and passes the obligation to Boaz who accepts the obligation willingly (vv.6-12). Boaz marries Ruth and they have a child (vv.13-15), whom they named Obed (v.17).
WILMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE
- Boaz called a council meeting to determine whether the nearest kinsman (who may have been a brother to Elimelech) wanted to assume his obligations (4:1-4). Note: Boaz’s heart must have dropped to his knees when the man said, “I will redeem it” (4:4). But Boaz continues the meeting, saying: “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” (4:5). With a great sign of relief, and no doubt a silent prayer of thanksgiving to God, Boaz hears the nearest kinsman conclude: “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.” (4:6).
- The issue was no longer in doubt. Boaz would not marry Ruth. To confirm this decision, the man plucked off his shoe. It was the custom at that time in Israel for a man transferring a right of purchase to pull off his sandal and hand it to the other party. This publicly validated the transaction (4:7-10).
- In time, God gave Boaz and Ruth a son named Obed. Obed would grow up and father a boy named Jesse, who would in turn have a son called David. Thus a Moabite girl who was once a heathen would become the great-grandmother of King David, and be included in the New Testament genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ (see Mt. 1:5). This is perhaps one of the most thrilling examples of God’s marvelous grace in all the Bible.
MATTHEW HENRY’S ABRIDGED COMMENTARY
The Kinsman Refuses To Redeem Ruth’s Inheritance
Ver. 1-8. This matter depended on the laws given by Moses about inheritances, and doubtless the whole was settled in the regular and legal manner. This kinsman, when he heard the conditions of the bargain, refused it. In like manner many are shy of the great redemption; they are not willing to espouse religion; they have heard well of it, and have nothing to say against it; they will give it their good word, but they are willing to part with it, and cannot be bound to it, for fear of marring their own inheritance in this world.
The right was resigned to Boaz. Fair and open dealing in all matters of contract and trade, is what all must make conscience of, who would approve themselves true Israelites, without guile. Honesty will be found the best policy.
Boaz Marries Ruth
Ver. 9-12. Men are ready to seize opportunities for increasing their estates, but few know the value of godliness. Such are the wise men of this world, whom the Lord charges with folly. They attend not to the concerns of their souls, but reject the salvation of Christ, for fear of marring their inheritance. But God did Boaz the honour to bring him into the line of the Messiah, while the kinsman, who was afraid of lessening himself, and marring his inheritance, has his name, family, and inheritance forgotten.
Birth of Obed
Ver. 13-22. Ruth bore a son, through whom thousands and myriads were born to God; and in being the lineal ancestor of Christ, she was instrumental in the happiness of all that shall be saved by him; even of us Gentiles, as well as those of Jewish descent. She was a witness for God to the Gentile world, that he had not utterly forsaken them, but that in due time they should become one with his chosen people, and partake of his salvation. Prayer to God attended the marriage, and praise to him attended the birth of the child. What a pity it is that pious language should not be more used among Christians, or that it should be let fall into formality!
Here is the descent of David from Ruth. And the period came when Bethlehem-Judah displayed greater wonders than those in the history of Ruth, when the outcast babe of another forlorn female of the same race appeared, controlling the counsels of the Roman master of the world, and drawing princes and wise men from the east, with treasures of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh to his feet. His name shall endure for ever, and all nations shall call him blessed. In that Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.