Ruth 4

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 4:6

"And the near kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: take thou my right of redemption on thee; for I cannot redeem it.""I cannot redeem it." "These words mean, simply, `I cannot afford it.'"[5] There are two reasons that entered into this refusal: (1) The increased financial burden inherent in rearing another family, and (2) the stigma that popular prejudice fastened upon marriage to a foreigner, especially a Moabitess. Cassel, as quoted by Morrison,... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 4:7

"Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging to confirm all things: a man drew off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel."In some ways, this is the most important verse in the book, because the "critical community" have made it the basis of late-dating the writing of it until post-exilic times. There are many reasons why this action on the part of Biblical enemies is not merely inaccurate and... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 4:8

"So the near kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thyself. And he drew off his shoe."Presumably, he handed the shoe to Boaz, symbolizing the transfer of the right of redemption. But, of course, when the ceremony ended, "Boaz returned the shoe to the near kinsman."[11] read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 4:9

"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."This declaration by Boaz before the court of the fathers in the gate of the city constituted the legal transfer to Boaz of the right of redemption just renounced by the near kinsman. This verse is not all of the legal procedure, for it also included Ruth 4:10. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 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.""Ruth the Moabitess have I purchased." This statement stands in respect to the legal proceedings before the village court and does not mean that Boaz, in any ordinary sense, was purchasing Ruth. What is meant is that Boaz was buying the land from Naomi and that the land purchase also included... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 4:11

"And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. Jehovah make the woman that is to come into thy house like Rachel and Leah, which did indeed build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem.""Jehovah make the woman ... like Rachel and Leah." The text does not make it clear, but it seems that this extensive blessing might have been spoken by the elders, or one of them, whereas the populace which had gathered around merely... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 4:12

"And let thy house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which Jehovah shall give thee of this young woman."It first appears that this mention of Judah's shameful action in begetting Perez of Tamar might have been inappropriate, but the significance of it lies, perhaps, in the fact of Tamar's having been a foreigner (a Canaanite), a non-Israelite, just like Ruth the Moabitess. Tamar and Ruth are both mentioned in the genealogy of Christ in the N.T. (Matthew 1:3,5),... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 4:13

"So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and Jehovah gave her conception, and she bare a son.""So Boaz took Ruth." This is a reference to the marriage ceremony itself and to the fact of the marriage's consummation and the blessing of God upon their union in the birth of a son. "In effect, this verse ushers Ruth and Boaz offstage and sets their infant at the center."[14] read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 4:14

"And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not left thee this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel.""The women said unto Naomi." These words sharply remind us that this narrative is essentially the story of Naomi. "It is altogether fitting, therefore, that at the end, attention should return to her to admire her radical reverse of fortune."[15]"Jehovah hath not left thee this day without a near kinsman." "Of course, the near kinsman is Ruth's son, a... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 4:15

"And he shall be unto thee a restorer of life, and a nourisher of thine old age; for thy daughter-in-law, who loveth thee, who is better than seven sons, hath borne him.""A nourisher of thine old age." Until the birth of this grandson, the prospect of an old age for Naomi in those times and environment was bleak and threatening indeed; but the birth of Ruth's child had changed all that dramatically. As a prospective heir of perhaps both Mahlon and Boaz, the child Obed would indeed be a source... read more

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