11. all the people and the elders, said, We are witnesses—A multitude, doubtless from curiosity or interest, were present on the occasion. There was no signing of deeds; yet was the transfer made, and complete security given, by the public manner in which the whole matter was carried on and concluded. the Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah—This was the usual bridal benediction. read more
12. let thy house be like the house of Pharez—that is, as honorable and numerous as his. He was the ancestor of the Beth-lehem people, and his family one of the five from which the tribe of Judah sprang. :-. SHE BEARS OBED. read more
18-22. these are the generations of Pharez—that is, his descendants. This appendix shows that the special object contemplated by the inspired author of this little book was to preserve the memory of an interesting domestic episode, and to trace the genealogy of David. There was an interval of three hundred eighty years between Salmon and David. It is evident that whole generations are omitted; the leading personages only are named, and grandfathers are said, in Scripture language, to beget... read more
III. GOD’S PROVISION CH. 4The climax of this fascinating story, and the resolution of the problem lying in the way of Ruth’s union with Boaz and realization of rest, become clear in this chapter. Naomi and Ruth’s plan (Ruth 3:1-5) comes to a successful completion."This chapter focuses on three persons: a bridegroom, a bride, and a baby." [Note: Wiersbe, p. 197.] read more
A. The nearer kinsman’s decision 4:1-6The gate of cities like Bethlehem was the place where people transacted official business (cf. Genesis 19:1; 2 Samuel 15:2-6; 1 Kings 22:10; Amos 5:10; Amos 5:12; Amos 5:15)."In ancient cities the ’gate’ was a short passageway through the thick city wall which provided the town an entrance and exit. A series of small alcoves lined the passage, and the whole gate area served as both bazaar and courthouse. There the ancients gathered to buy and sell, to... read more
B. Boaz obtains the right to marry Ruth 4:7-12Probably the practice of standing on land one possessed led to the custom of using the sandal as a symbol of possession in land transactions (Ruth 4:7; cf. Genesis 13:17; Deuteronomy 1:36; Deuteronomy 11:24; Joshua 1:3; Joshua 14:9). [Note: Ernest R. Lacheman, "Note on Ruth 4:7-8," Journal of Biblical Literature 56 (1937):53-56.] Many scholars believe that it was the kinsman who removed his sandal to symbolize the completion of the transaction (Ruth... read more
C. God’s provision of a Song of Solomon 4:13-17Ruth 4:13 is a key verse in the book because it records the fulfillment of Naomi and Ruth’s plans to obtain rest (Ruth 2:2; Ruth 3:1-5). [Note: See Constable, p. 111.] A son was indispensable to the continuation of the line of Boaz as well as that of Mahlon and Elimelech. With the birth of Obed, Ruth and Naomi could both rest. They had produced someone who would carry on the program of God for Israel. The redeemer in view in this discussion was... read more
D. The genealogical appendix 4:18-22Far from being an unimportant postscript, this genealogy helps us see one of the main purposes for which God gave us this book.Why does the genealogy start with Perez? He was the founder of the branch of Judah’s family that took his name, to which Elimelech and Boaz belonged (Numbers 26:20). Perez was the illegitimate son of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:5) who, like Jacob, seized the initiative to stand in the line of messianic promise from his twin brother (Genesis... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ruth 4:10
10. Ruth the Moabitess . . . have I purchased to be my wife—This connection Boaz not only might form, since Ruth had embraced the true religion, but he was under a legal necessity of forming it. read more