Ruth 4:20

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ruth 4:20

(20) Nahshon was the prince of the children of Judah in the wilderness. (See Numbers 1:7, &c).Salmon—Heb., Salmah, though called Salmon in the next verse. In 1 Chronicles 2:11 he is called Salma. Salmon may very probably have been one of the two spies sent to Jericho, who having been sheltered by Rahab, had repaid her kindness by marrying her.It has been observed above that the smallness of the number of the generations hardly suits the long period of years here implied, and on the whole we... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ruth 4:1-22

Ruth 4:6 The revolutionary school always forgets that right apart from duty is a compass with one leg. The action of right inflates an individual, fills him with thoughts of self and of what others owe him, while it ignores the other side of the question, and extinguishes his capacity for devoting himself to a common cause. Amiel. The desire to raise the pyramid of my existence the base of which is already laid as high as possible in the air absorbs every other desire, and scarcely ever quits... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:1-22

THE MARRIAGE AT THE GATERuth 4:1-22A SIMPLE ceremony of Oriental life brings to a climax the history which itself closes in sweet music the stormy drama of the Book of Judges. With all the literary skill and moral delicacy, all the charm and keen judgment of inspiration the narrator gives us what he has from the Spirit. He has represented with fine brevity and power of touch the old life and custom of Israel, the private groups in which piety and faithfulness were treasured, the frank humanity... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ruth 4:1-22

CHAPTER 4 The Redemption and Marriage 1. The other kinsman (Ruth 4:1-5 ) 2. His refusal (Ruth 4:6-8 ) 3. Boaz’s redemption (Ruth 4:9-10 ) 4. The marriage (Ruth 4:11-13 ) 5. Naomi’s happiness (Ruth 4:14-17 ) 6. The ancestry of David (Ruth 4:18-22 ) And now the other redeemer, who cannot redeem, appears. Boaz sits in the gate and hails the one whom he knew as he passeth by. He calls him not by name but said, “Ho, such a one! turn aside, and sit down here.” If Boaz had not called him... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 4:1-22

THE FAITHFULNESS AND GRACE OF BOAZ (vv. 1-12) The same morning Boaz went to the gate of the city, the place of judgment, sitting there until the close relative of whom he spoke came by(v. 1).At the invitation of Boaz, he also sat down.Besides this, he asked ten men of the city to be witnesses (v. 2). This close relative pictures the covenant of law, which had a claim upon Israel from the time of their coming out of Egypt (Exodus 20:1-26).It was because of Israel's disobedience to law,... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:1-22

A BLESSED BRIDE Ruth 3:1 The rest Naomi would secure for Ruth is that of a husband and a home. Threshing-floors were commonly on the field where the grain was reaped, the process consisting in throwing it against the evening wind, the farmer remaining all night on the field for that purpose as well as to protect his property. Ruth 3:3-6 The indelicacy of these verses is removed by the fact that it was the custom thus to remind a kinsman of his duty in such a case. The openness of the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Ruth 4:1-22

Ruth 4:0 1. Then went Boaz up [the town stood on a hill] to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman [the Goel] of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such-a-one! [the name of the kinsman was either unknown or purposely concealed] turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. 2. And he took ten men of the elders of the city [every city was governed by elders], and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. 3. And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi,... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Ruth 4:18-22

Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, (19) And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, (20) And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, (21) And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, (22) And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David. There can be no doubt (for it seems to carry with it a decided evidence), that as the Holy Ghost hath been pleased to chose the book of Ruth with this genealogy, tracing back the pedigree of Boaz from Pharez the son of Judah,... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:20

Hebrew and Chaldean, Salma, (Haydock) though we read Salmon in the following verse. (Calmet) --- This is one argument adduced by Houbigant, to shew that this genealogy is now imperfect. He concludes that Salma ought to be admitted, as well as Salmon; and, as the reason for calling the first son of Ruth, Obed, "serving or ploughing," seems rather harsh, as we should naturally expect some more glorious title. He thinks that the immediate son of Ruth was called Jachin, "he shall establish;" and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 4:13-22

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 they should become one with his chosen people, and partake of his salvation. Prayer to God attended the marriage, and praise to him attended... read more