Ruth 4:10
Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Boaz explicitly states he has "purchased" Ruth, not just to be his wife, but as part of the land redemption. This wasn't just a romantic gesture; it was a legal transaction that secured Mahlon's name and lineage by integrating his widow into Boaz's own household and inheritance.
In this public assembly at the town gate, Boaz is formalizing his redemption of Elimelech's land and, importantly, taking Ruth as his wife. This act fulfills the responsibility of a kinsman-redeemer, ensuring Mahlon's name and inheritance are preserved in their community, a significant legal and social proceeding. The elders and people are witnesses to Boaz's commitment to both the land and to Ruth, securing her future and honoring the memory of her deceased husband.
Boaz publicly declares his intention to marry Ruth. But this wasn't just a personal desire; it was deeply tied to ancient laws and a profound sense of responsibility.
Boaz is engaging in a legal and social practice known as 'kinsman-redeeming.'
Securing a Name and Inheritance
This practice had several key purposes:
Boaz steps in where the nearer kinsman refused, demonstrating his commitment to these principles of kinship, justice, and remembrance, even when it involved marrying a foreigner.
Boaz doesn't just acquire land; he explicitly states he's taking 'Ruth the Moabite' as his wife. This highlights a significant act of grace beyond legal obligation.
Boaz's declaration is remarkable because Ruth was a foreigner, a Moabite woman. Under strict interpretation of some laws, intermarriage with Moabites was discouraged.
Beyond Legal Necessity
Understand the original words
sha'ar · Hebrew Noun
The public gathering place at the entrance of an ancient city, where legal transactions, judicial proceedings, and official business were conducted by the elders. It represented the heart of the community's public life.
qum · Hebrew Verb
To cause something to continue or survive through time. In the Old Testament, this often refers to ensuring a family line or name does not perish, maintaining the legacy of the deceased within the covenant people.
This event occurs within the ancient Israelite legal framework of the kinsman-redeemer, a practice designed to keep land and names within families, especially during times of hardship like the period of the Judges.
c. 1100-1300 BC
Period of the Judges
Ruth's story takes place during the tumultuous era of the Judges, a time of decentralized Israelite leadership marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance.
c. 1100-1300 BC
Elimelech's family moves to Moab
Due to famine in Bethlehem, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion emigrate to the foreign land of Moab.
c. 1100-1300 BC
Deaths of Elimelech and his sons
Tragedy strikes the family as Elimelech and both his sons die in Moab, leaving Naomi widowed and with two Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth.
c. 1100-1300 BC
Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem
Naomi decides to return to her homeland, and Ruth famously pledges her loyalty, accompanying Naomi back to Bethlehem. Orpah returns to her people.
This passage outlines the law of the Levirate marriage, which is the direct legal and cultural precedent for Boaz's actions in marrying Ruth to perpetuate the deceased's name.
Matthew 1:1-17This genealogy shows Ruth as an ancestor of King David and ultimately Jesus, highlighting the significant, divinely ordained purpose behind Boaz's act of redemption and marriage.
Joshua 20:1-9This chapter describes the cities of refuge, and the 'gate of his place' mentioned in Ruth 4:10 refers to the place where legal matters and civic life were conducted, emphasizing the public and judicial nature of Boaz's declaration.
Psalm 72:17This psalm speaks of a king whose name would continue forever, echoing the desire expressed in Ruth 4:10 to 'perpetuate the name of the dead' and showing a broader biblical theme of enduring legacy.
henryRuth 4:9-12: "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."
4:9-12 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 i…
pooleRuth 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."
From the gate of his place, i.e. from among the inhabitants dwelling within the gate of this city, which was Bethlehem-judah.
Boaz explicitly states he has "purchased" Ruth, not just to be his wife, but as part of the land redemption. This wasn't just a romantic gesture; it was a legal transaction that secured Mahlon's name and lineage by integrating his widow into Boaz's own household and inheritance.
In this public assembly at the town gate, Boaz is formalizing his redemption of Elimelech's land and, importantly, taking Ruth as his wife. This act fulfills the responsibility of a kinsman-redeemer, ensuring Mahlon's name and inheritance are preserved in their community, a significant legal and social proceeding. The elders and people are witnesses to Boaz's commitment to both the land and to Ruth, securing her future and honoring the memory of her deceased husband.
In this public assembly at the town gate, Boaz is formalizing his redemption of Elimelech's land and, importantly, taking Ruth as his wife. This act fulfills the responsibility of a kinsman-redeemer, ensuring Mahlon's name and inheritance are preserved in their community, a significant legal and social proceeding. The elders and people are witnesses to Boaz's commitment to both the land and to Ruth, securing her future and honoring the memory of her deceased husband.
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c. 1100-1300 BC— this verse
Boaz acts as kinsman-redeemer
Boaz, a relative of Elimelech, exercises the right of a kinsman-redeemer by purchasing Elimelech's land and marrying Ruth, perpetuating Mahlon's name.
c. 1100-1300 BC
Birth of Obed
Ruth and Boaz have a son named Obed, who becomes the father of Jesse and the grandfather of King David, linking Ruth to Israel's royal lineage.
"Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You…" — Boaz explicitly states he has "purchased" Ruth, not just to be his wife, but as part of the land redemption. This wasn't just a romantic gesture; it was a legal transaction that secured Mahlon's name…
