Introduction

Ruth 4 serves as the climactic resolution of the narrative, where Boaz fulfills his role as the kinsman-redeemer, restoring hope and continuing the lineage that leads to King David. The chapter highlights themes of redemption, covenant loyalty, and God’s sovereign orchestration of history.

Key Points

• Synopsis: Boaz redeems Ruth and Naomi by marrying Ruth, thereby preserving Elimelech’s lineage and showcasing God’s providence in weaving ordinary lives into His extraordinary plan.
• Themes: God’s redemptive plan unfolds through covenant loyalty and His sovereign orchestration of events.

Ruth 4:1–2

Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.

Boaz went to the city gate, where legal matters were settled, to negotiate the redemption of Naomi’s land. By God’s providence, the closer relative Boaz had mentioned appeared. Boaz called him to sit down with ten elders as witnesses, setting the stage for a crucial decision. Would this man take up his responsibility as redeemer, or would Boaz be free to do so?

Ruth 4:3–4

Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. So I thought I would tell you of it and say, Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.”

Boaz explained to the redeemer that Naomi was selling Elimelech’s land, and as the closest relative, he had the first right to buy it. The man initially agreed, likely seeing this as a good opportunity to expand his estate. However, he did not yet know that the redemption involved more than just land—it also required marrying Ruth to continue Elimelech’s family line.

Ruth 4:4b–6

And he said, “I will redeem it.” Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

Boaz then revealed that acquiring the land also meant taking Ruth as a wife to preserve Elimelech’s lineage. This changed everything. The redeemer declined, fearing it would complicate his own inheritance. By rejecting the responsibility, he relinquished his right to Boaz, who was now free to redeem Ruth and Naomi.

Ruth 4:7–8

Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal.

To finalize the transaction, the closer relative removed his sandal and handed it to Boaz, following Israelite custom (Deut 25:5–10). This public act confirmed that he was surrendering his legal right as redeemer. By stepping aside, he became nameless in history, while Boaz’s name would be remembered.

Ruth 4:9–10

Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. 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.”

Boaz declared before the elders and townspeople that he had purchased all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon. More importantly, he announced that he was marrying Ruth to carry on Elimelech’s name. His commitment was not just to Ruth but to preserving the family’s legacy in Israel, fulfilling both the role of redeemer and husband.

Ruth 4:11a

Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah…”

The elders and townspeople affirmed their witness to the transaction and blessed Ruth, comparing her to Rachel and Leah—the mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel. This was a powerful statement. Despite being a Moabite, Ruth was welcomed as a part of Israel’s sacred history.

Ruth 4:11b

“…who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the LORD will give you by this young woman.”

The elders also blessed Boaz, praying that he would be honored in Bethlehem. Coming from the lineage of Judah, Boaz’s faithfulness was recognized, and his name would indeed become renowned. Little did they know how significant his family line would be for the future of Israel.

Ruth 4:12–13

“…may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the LORD will give you by this young woman.” So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son.

Boaz married Ruth, and the Lord blessed them with a son. The elders had invoked the example of Perez, the son of Judah born through levirate marriage (Gen 38:24–30), and their blessing was fulfilled. Through Ruth and Boaz, Elimelech’s family line would continue, securing their place in Israel’s history.

Ruth 4:14–15

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! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

The women of Bethlehem rejoiced with Naomi, proclaiming that God had not abandoned her but had given her a redeemer through Ruth’s child. They praised Ruth’s loyalty, declaring her more valuable than seven sons—an extraordinary honor in that culture. Naomi’s sorrow had turned to joy.

Ruth 4:16–17

Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Naomi took the child and cared for him, and the women named him Obed. More than just a grandson, Obed was a living testimony of God’s faithfulness. The story comes full circle—from Naomi’s despair in Moab to her restoration in Bethlehem. Obed would grow up to become the grandfather of King David, marking this family as central to Israel’s destiny.

Ruth 4:18–21

Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

The genealogy of Perez, one of Judah’s sons, is traced down to Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and finally David. Through a series of seemingly ordinary human events, God orchestrated His plan to bring about Israel’s greatest king. Even more, this line would lead to Jesus, the ultimate Redeemer.

Conclusion

Ruth 4 concludes with a grand resolution—the redemption of Naomi and Ruth through Boaz’s selfless act, leading to the birth of Obed, grandfather of King David. This chapter reflects God’s providence in turning despair into hope and integrating Gentiles into His redemptive plan.

Summary

1. Boaz negotiates at the city gate to redeem Naomi and Ruth (4:1–6).
2. The closer relative declines, allowing Boaz to redeem and marry Ruth (4:7–10).
3. The people and elders bless Boaz and Ruth, invoking Israel’s heritage (4:11–12).
4. Ruth bears a son, restoring Naomi’s joy and securing the family line (4:13–17).
5. The genealogy highlights God’s sovereign plan, leading to King David (4:18–21).