Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Naomi's act of taking the child and becoming his nurse is more than just a gesture of love; it's a profound adoption, signifying her claiming him as her own and embracing a new role of care and nurturing in her twilight years. This action highlights the deep communal responsibility and familial bonds that extended beyond biological ties in ancient Israel.
Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Boaz marries Ruth, she conceives and gives birth to a son, bringing immense joy and hope to Naomi, who had lost her husband and sons. Naomi tenderly embraces the child, seeing him as a fulfillment of her prayers and a blessing to her household. This birth marks the beginning of a new lineage, ultimately leading to King David and, even more significantly, the Messiah.
Naomi's action here isn't just a gesture; it's a powerful statement of family and belonging, especially after so much loss.
The verse paints a beautiful picture of Naomi's deep connection with the child. Holding him on her lap and becoming his nurse signifies a profound act of adoption.
A New Role
After a life marked by devastating loss – her husband and two sons – Naomi finds herself with a new purpose. This child, born to Ruth and Boaz, represents the continuation of her family line and a new hope for her future.
Beyond Biology
Naomi's role as 'nurse' (aman) goes beyond simply caring for an infant. It implies a deep, nurturing relationship, mirroring the language used for kings nurturing their people. It's about actively taking on responsibility and showering love upon this new generation.
In the quiet of Naomi's home, a new dawn breaks, showing that even after the darkest nights, God’s faithfulness shines through.
This moment with the baby is the culmination of a long, difficult journey for Naomi. It’s a testament to God’s restorative power, bringing joy and continuity where there was once only sorrow.
From Bitterness to Blessing
Naomi had once famously declared herself 'Mara,' meaning 'bitter,' because of her losses (Ruth 1:20). But here, holding Obed, she experiences a transformation. This child is a living symbol of God’s promise fulfilled, a 'blessing' to her 'in her old age' (Ruth 4:14, 17).
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A Glimpse of the Messiah
This child, Obed, is not just Naomi’s comfort; he is the grandfather of King David and, ultimately, an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Naomi's humble act of nursing this child places her in the grand tapestry of salvation history, a quiet but crucial role in God’s redemptive plan.
Understand the original words
omenet · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew term for a woman who cares for a child, often used for a wet nurse or guardian. It implies a role of protection, nurturing, and domestic authority.
Naomi's adoption of Obed signifies a profound cultural and personal transition, moving from grief and near despair in a foreign land back to the hope and lineage of Israel, ultimately connecting her to the royal line of King David.
c. 1100 BC
Elimelech flees Bethlehem
Due to a famine, Elimelech, Naomi's husband, leaves their homeland in Judah and settles in Moab with his family.
c. 1090 BC
Deaths of Elimelech and sons
Elimelech dies in Moab, followed by his sons Mahlon and Chilion, leaving Naomi widowed with her Moabite daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah.
c. 1085 BC
Ruth returns to Bethlehem
Ruth, refusing to leave Naomi, accompanies her back to Bethlehem, embracing the God of Israel and Naomi's people.
c. 1085 BC
Boaz redeems Naomi's land and marries Ruth
Boaz, acting as a kinsman-redeemer, purchases Naomi's ancestral land and marries Ruth, thus restoring Naomi's family line.
c. 1084 BC— this verse
Birth of Obed
Ruth bears a son named Obed, who becomes the father of Jesse and the grandfather of King David.
c. 1040 BC
David becomes King of Israel
David, the great-grandson of Ruth, ascends to the throne, uniting the tribes of Israel and establishing Jerusalem as his capital.
c. 1000 BC
Traditional date for the composition of the Book of Ruth
While debated, many scholars suggest the Book of Ruth was written during Solomon's reign, reflecting on Israel's past simplicity and faithfulness.
This passage uses a similar idiom, 'born upon my knees,' to describe adoption and bringing a child into one's family, mirroring Naomi's embrace of Obed as her own.
Genesis 50:23Here, Ephraim and Manasseh are said to be 'born upon my knees,' showing the concept of children being raised and nurtured by a grandparent figure, much like Naomi taking on the role of nurse.
Isaiah 49:23This verse uses the same Hebrew word for 'nurse' (aman) to describe kings acting as nursing fathers, highlighting a broader, nurturing, and supportive role that extends beyond mere physical care.
Luke 2:28Simeon taking the infant Jesus into his arms and blessing Him shows a tender, prophetic embrace that echoes Naomi's loving act of holding the baby Obed, signifying acceptance and a deep connection.
gillRuth 4:16: "And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it."
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom,.... As a token of her most tender love and affection for it; this it is probable she did quickly after the birth of it: and became a nurse unto it; that is, after the mother had suckled and weaned it, then she took it from her, and brought it up.
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…
Naomi's act of taking the child and becoming his nurse is more than just a gesture of love; it's a profound adoption, signifying her claiming him as her own and embracing a new role of care and nurturing in her twilight years. This action highlights the deep communal responsibility and familial bonds that extended beyond biological ties in ancient Israel.
After Boaz marries Ruth, she conceives and gives birth to a son, bringing immense joy and hope to Naomi, who had lost her husband and sons. Naomi tenderly embraces the child, seeing him as a fulfillment of her prayers and a blessing to her household. This birth marks the beginning of a new lineage, ultimately leading to King David and, even more significantly, the Messiah.
After Boaz marries Ruth, she conceives and gives birth to a son, bringing immense joy and hope to Naomi, who had lost her husband and sons. Naomi tenderly embraces the child, seeing him as a fulfillment of her prayers and a blessing to her household. This birth marks the beginning of a new lineage, ultimately leading to King David and, even more significantly, the Messiah.
"Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse." — Naomi's act of taking the child and becoming his nurse is more than just a gesture of love; it's a profound adoption, signifying her claiming him as her own and embracing a new role of care and nurtu…
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Last reviewed October 2026