Ruth 4:3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 4:1-8

Here, 1. Boaz calls a court immediately. It is probable he was himself one of the elders (or aldermen) of the city; for he was a mighty man of wealth. Perhaps he was father of the city, and sat chief; for he seems here to have gone up to the gate as one having authority, and not as a common person; like Job, Job 29:7-25 We cannot suppose him less than a magistrate in his city who was grandson to Nahshon, prince of Judah; and his lying at the end of a heap of corn in the threshing-floor the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:3

And he said unto the kinsman ,.... That is, Boaz said to the kinsman he called to, and who sat down by him before the ten elders that were present: Naomi, that is come again out of the land of Moab, selleth a parcel of land ; meaning, that she was determined upon it, and was about to do it, and would do it quickly, and he had it in commission to propose it to a purchaser: which was our brother Elimelech's ; not in a strict sense, but being akin to the kinsman and himself, and having... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 4:3

Naomi - selleth a parcel of land - She was reduced to want; the immediate inheritors were extinct, and it was now open for the next heir to purchase the land, and thus preserve the inheritance in the family according to the custom of Israel. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:1-12

The bridal of Boaz and Ruth. I. THERE WERE SOME OBSTACLES IN THE WAY . There were none, indeed, in Boaz's heart; it was full of pure esteem and love for Ruth. There were none in his financial circumstances; he was able to provide amply for her comfort, and for all his own necessities and conveniences. There were none in his physical condition; he had been temperate in all things, and was in the enjoyment of health and strength. Neither were there any obstacles in Ruth's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:3

And he said to the kinsman, Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, has resolved to sell the portion of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. Boaz, it is evident, had talked over with Ruth the entire details of Naomi's plans, and could thus speak authoritatively. Naomi, we must suppose, had previously taken Ruth into full confidence, so that Boaz could learn at second- hand what in other circumstances he would have learned from Naomi herself. The verb which we have rendered... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:3-8

The goel. Every nation has its own domestic and social usages. Among those prevalent in Israel was the relationship of the goel . He was the redeemer, or the next kinsman of one deceased, whose duty it was to purchase an inheritance in danger of lapsing, or to redeem one lapsed. The duties were defined in the Levitical law. According to the custom and regulation known as Levirate, he was expected to marry the widow of the deceased, and to raise up seed unto the dead, in case no issue... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 4:3

According to the law Leviticus 25:25-28, if any Israelite, through poverty, would sell his possession, the next of kin (the גאל gā'al) had a right to redeem it by paying the value of the number of years remaining until the jubilee (see the marginal reference). This right Boaz advertises the גאל gā'al of, so as to give him the option which the law secured to him of redeeming “our brother Elimelech’s” land, i. e. our kinsman’s, according to the common use of the term brother, for near relation... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 4:3

Ruth 4:3. Naomi Both Naomi and Ruth had an interest in this land during their lives, but he mentions only Naomi, because all was done by her direction; lest the mention of Ruth should raise a suspicion of the necessity of his marrying Ruth, before he had given his answer to the first proposition. Which was our brother Elimelech’s He calls him their brother, because he was near of kin to them. And he mentions Naomi’s return out of the country of Moab, to intimate that her poverty... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:1-22

Boaz marries Ruth (4:1-22)Feeling the effects of the poverty of widowhood, Naomi decided to sell her late husband’s land. To prevent the land from passing out of the family, she had to ensure that it was bought (or redeemed) by the nearest relative (cf. Leviticus 25:23-28). In this case that person was the same one who had to produce through Ruth an heir who could carry on the names of the late Elimelech (Naomi’s husband) and Mahlon (Elimelech’s son and Ruth’s husband). But should such an heir... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ruth 4:3

country = fields. a parcel of land = the parcel of the field. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 4:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 4:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:3-8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 4:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 4:3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:1-22

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ruth 4:3

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