Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the women bless God for the newborn son, their words "without a kinsman" highlight Boaz's faithful actions as the true redeemer. Their praise looks beyond the immediate blessing of a child to the foundational courage of Boaz, who stepped in where another failed, ensuring the family line and legacy would continue. This moment acknowledges that the child’s existence is the direct fruit of his integrity and faithfulness.
Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The narrative is celebrating the birth of a son to Ruth and Boaz, a child who represents a vital continuation of Naomi's family line. This joyous event signifies the fulfillment of Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer, securing an heir and redeeming Naomi's family property after her sons and husband died. The women's words of blessing highlight God's faithfulness in providing this redeemer and heir, ensuring that Naomi's lineage will not disappear from Israel.
The word 'kinsman' in this verse carries a weightier meaning than a simple family tie. It speaks of a specific role with deep responsibility and profound hope.
The Hebrew word translated as 'kinsman' here is 'goel.' This wasn't just any uncle or cousin; the goel was a kinsman-redeemer. His duties included:
In Ruth's story, Boaz steps into this goel role. He not only redeems the family land but also marries Ruth, fulfilling the obligation to ensure Naomi's family line continues. The women's praise highlights that God has provided a faithful goel, preventing Naomi from being left without this vital provision.
Naomi’s life has been marked by profound loss. But this birth signals a dramatic turn, shifting the focus from her personal tragedy to a future of honor.
The women's immediate exclamation, 'Blessed be the LORD,' and their hope that 'his name may be renowned in Israel,' points to the significance of this newborn son. For Naomi, who had left her homeland with nothing but bitterness and sorrow (Ruth 1:20-21), this child represents:
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Understand the original words
gāʾal · Hebrew Noun
A kinsman-redeemer (Goel); one who has the obligation and right to redeem a relative, their property, or their name, restoring them to their rightful place in the covenant community.
This verse bursts with joy because it marks the birth of Obed, who not only provides a redeemer for Naomi's line but also becomes the grandfather of King David, anchoring this humble family into Israel's royal and redemptive history.
c. 11th Century BC
Period of the Judges
This era was characterized by tribal conflicts and a lack of centralized leadership in Israel, creating instability and hardship.
c. 11th Century BC
Naomi's Family Emigrates to Moab
Driven by famine in Judah, Naomi's husband Elimelech leads their family to Moab, where they settle and her sons marry Moabite women.
c. 11th Century BC
Death of Elimelech and His Sons
Tragedy strikes Naomi's family as her husband and two sons die in Moab, leaving her, her daughters-in-law Orpah and Ruth, and a precarious situation.
c. 11th Century BC
Ruth's Vow and Return to Bethlehem
Ruth pledges loyalty to Naomi and the God of Israel, returning with her to Bethlehem, a stark contrast to the surrounding instability.
c. 11th Century BC
Boaz Acts as Kinsman-Redeemer
Boaz, a relative, generously protects Ruth and agrees to marry her, fulfilling the legal and social obligation to redeem Elimelech's land and name.
c. 11th Century BC— this verse
Birth of Obed
Ruth bears a son, Obed, securing Naomi's lineage and prompting the women's joyous declaration, recognizing God's faithfulness in providing a redeemer.
c. 10th Century BC
Lineage of King David
Obed becomes the father of Jesse, who is the father of King David, establishing a royal lineage rooted in the faithfulness of Ruth and Boaz.
This passage describes the failure of Onan to fulfill his kinsman-redeemer duties, highlighting the significance of Boaz's willingness to do so for Ruth and Naomi.
Deuteronomy 25:5-6This passage lays out the law concerning the duty of a kinsman to marry a deceased brother's widow, providing the legal and social context for Boaz's actions and the blessing given.
Psalm 127:3This verse speaks about children being a heritage from the LORD and a reward, echoing the sentiment of joy and divine blessing associated with the birth of Obed to Ruth and Boaz.
Matthew 1:5This verse shows the fulfillment of the kinsman-redeemer line, directly naming Boaz and Ruth as ancestors of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ, highlighting the profound significance of this event.
henryRuth 4:13-22: "So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son."
4:13-22 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 th…
pooleRuth 4:14: "And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel."
Without a kinsman; which is understood, either, first, Of the son new born. Or rather, secondly, Of Boaz; for the name of goel , which is translated kinsman or redeemer , is never, that I know of, given to the child born, but always to the person begetting him of his brother’s or near kinsman’s wife. And whereas it is objected, that there w…
While the women bless God for the newborn son, their words "without a kinsman" highlight Boaz's faithful actions as the true redeemer. Their praise looks beyond the immediate blessing of a child to the foundational courage of Boaz, who stepped in where another failed, ensuring the family line and legacy would continue. This moment acknowledges that the child’s existence is the direct fruit of his integrity and faithfulness.
The narrative is celebrating the birth of a son to Ruth and Boaz, a child who represents a vital continuation of Naomi's family line. This joyous event signifies the fulfillment of Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer, securing an heir and redeeming Naomi's family property after her sons and husband died. The women's words of blessing highlight God's faithfulness in providing this redeemer and heir, ensuring that Naomi's lineage will not disappear from Israel.
The narrative is celebrating the birth of a son to Ruth and Boaz, a child who represents a vital continuation of Naomi's family line. This joyous event signifies the fulfillment of Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer, securing an heir and redeeming Naomi's family property after her sons and husband died. The women's words of blessing highlight God's faithfulness in providing this redeemer and heir, ensuring that Naomi's lineage will not disappear from Israel.
"Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!" — While the women bless God for the newborn son, their words "without a kinsman" highlight Boaz's faithful actions as the true redeemer. Their praise looks beyond the immediate blessing of a child to t…
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Last reviewed October 2026