Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

4:1-2 The gate served as a combined town hall and courthouse (2 Sam. 15:2; Job 29:7-17; Prov. 22:22; 31:23; Amos 5:10). Elders witnessed transactions (Ruth 4:4, 9-11; cf. Deut. 25:7) and decided cases (cf. Deut. 21:19; 22:15).

4:3 Redemption is referred to here in terms of buying and selling (vv. 4, 5, 8, 9, 10; Ps. 74:2; Jer. 32:7). This land, or the legal right to use it, may have been sold to buy food during the famine or before leaving for Moab. Or Naomi may still be in full possession of the land, or of its use, which she is selling out of necessity. In either case, a kinsman must redeem it.

4:4-6 The "redeemer nearer" (3:12) is given the opportunity to redeem the field from Naomi. He responds, I will redeem it. However, when he learns that Ruth will become his wife as part of the transaction, he changes his mind, lest I impair my own inheritance. Apparently he was concerned that any son born to him and Ruth would share the inheritance already planned for his present children. Take my right of redemption yourself. His decision opens the door for Boaz.

4:7-8 in former times. The practice must be explained since the audience for the book of Ruth no longer does this. exchanging. Transferring the right of redemption (v. 6). sandal. A symbol of this exchange (cf. Ps. 60:8; Amos 2:6; 8:6). Deuteronomy 25:9, however, represents a different but related custom.

4:10 Moabite (see note on 1:22). To preserve the property, Ruth was bought (redeemed) to be Boaz's wife (see 4:13; Deut. 25:5). not be cut off from among his brothers. That is, from his clan relatives (Ruth 4:3). from the gate. Men of this family may have held prominent positions in the gate. His . . . place refers to his social standing (Job 20:9; Ps. 103:16) in his home (Judg. 7:7; 1 Sam. 2:20), city (Deut. 21:19; cf. John 14:2, 3; Heb. 11:8), territory (Judg. 19:16), and country (Ex. 23:20).

4:11 Rachel and Leah. These two women were barren (as Ruth had been up to this point; see notes on 1:4; 4:13; 4:18-22), but the Lord opened their wombs (Gen. 29:31; 30:22). Leah was the mother of Judah (Gen. 35:23), ancestor of the tribe of Boaz and Naomi. Through childbearing they built up the house of Israel, i.e., established and perpetuated the family of Jacob (Deut. 25:9; Ps. 127:1, 3; Prov. 24:27). The people and the elders also express their blessing-wish that Boaz would act worthily (see notes on Ruth 2:1; 3:11). Through Boaz's offspring, David's house was built (2 Sam. 7:11, 26), which was the pride of Ephrathah and Bethlehem (see note on Ruth 1:2; cf. 1 Sam. 17:12).

4:12 Perez. Ancestor of the preeminent Judean Perezite clan (Num. 26:20-21) and of prominent leaders (1 Chron. 9:4; 27:2-3; Neh. 11:4-6; Matt. 1:12). Tamar and Judah (Tamar's father-in-law) recalls this attempted levirate marriage (Gen. 38:6-8; see note on Ruth 1:11-13). offspring. See 4:17; Ps. 89:4, 29.