What does Ruth 4:1 mean?
"Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down." - Ruth 4:1
Sure, here is a detailed and in-depth meaning and commentary for the Bible verse Ruth 4:1 from the King James Version (KJV):
"Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down."
In this verse, we see Boaz going up to the gate of the city, which was a common place for legal transactions and important discussions to take place in ancient times. Boaz, as a righteous and upstanding man, is following the proper procedures in handling the matter of redeeming Ruth and her deceased husband's land.
The kinsman of whom Boaz spoke appears, and Boaz calls out to him, inviting him to sit down and discuss the matter at hand. This shows Boaz's respect for the kinsman and his willingness to handle the situation with transparency and in accordance with the law.
The theme of this verse is the importance of conducting legal and ethical business dealings. Boaz, as a man of integrity, is ensuring that he follows the proper procedures and protocols in redeeming Ruth and her deceased husband's land. This theme of integrity and ethical behavior is a consistent one throughout the book of Ruth, as both Boaz and Ruth are portrayed as individuals who act with honesty and righteousness.
The context of this verse is within the larger story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who becomes the great-grandmother of King David. Ruth's story is one of loyalty, faithfulness, and ultimately, redemption. In this particular verse, Boaz is taking the necessary steps to fulfill his duty as the near kinsman to redeem Ruth and her deceased husband's land. This act of redemption is significant not only for Ruth and her family but also in the larger biblical narrative, as it ultimately leads to the lineage of King David and, eventually, Jesus Christ.
Symbolism can be seen in the action of Boaz going up to the gate of the city. The gate was a place of leadership, judgment, and authority. By conducting his business at the gate, Boaz is symbolically showing that he is following the proper legal procedures and seeking the endorsement of the leaders and elders of the city. This emphasizes the legitimacy and righteousness of his actions in redeeming Ruth and her family's land.
Overall, Ruth 4:1 is a verse that highlights the themes of integrity, legal and ethical behavior, and the importance of redemption. It also carries significant symbolism in its portrayal of Boaz's actions at the gate of the city. In the larger context of the book of Ruth, this verse contributes to the overall narrative of loyalty, faithfulness, and redemption, and it sets the stage for the resolution of Ruth and Boaz's story.
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Ruth 4:1 Artwork
Ruth 4:1 - "Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down."
"Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down." - Ruth 4:1
Ruth 1:4 - "And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years."
"And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years." - Ruth 1:4
Ruth 4:13 - "¶ So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son."
Ruth 4:18 - "¶ Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,"
Ruth 4:20 - "And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,"
Ruth 4:21 - "And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,"
Ruth 4:19 - "And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,"
Ruth 4:22 - "And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David."
Ruth 1:14 - "And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her."
Ruth 4:5 - "Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance."
ruth, the loyal daughter
Ruth 4:16 - "And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it."
Ruth 1:22 - "So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest."
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, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day."
Ruth 4:2 - "And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down."
Ruth 4:8 - "Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe."
"¶ Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron," - Ruth 4:18
"And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David." - Ruth 4:22
"And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon," - Ruth 4:20
"And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab," - Ruth 4:19
"And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed," - Ruth 4:21
Ruth 2:4 - "¶ And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee."
Ruth 1:3 - "And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons."
Ruth 4:3 - "And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:"
Ruth 1:16 - "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:"
Ruth 3:1 - "Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?"
"And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her." - Ruth 1:14
"¶ So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son." - Ruth 4:13