What does Ruth 4:12 mean?
"And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman." - Ruth 4:12
" And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman."
The book of Ruth is a beautiful and powerful story of loyalty, love, and redemption set against the backdrop of ancient Israel. This particular verse comes at the end of the book, as a blessing for Ruth and Boaz, who have just been married. It is spoken by the elders and people of the city to bless the couple and express their hope for their future.
First, it is important to understand the context of this verse. Throughout the book of Ruth, we see the characters facing various challenges and obstacles. Ruth, a Moabite woman, is widowed and chooses to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, rather than return to her own people. This decision leads her to encounter Boaz, a kind and generous man who ultimately redeems her and becomes her husband. The story is one of faith, perseverance, and ultimately, blessings.
The verse itself contains several layers of meaning and significance. The first part of the verse "let thy house be like the house of Pharez" refers to the lineage of Boaz. Pharez was one of the sons of Judah, and his line was known for its strength and prosperity. By invoking this lineage, the elders are expressing their desire for Ruth and Boaz to have a strong and prosperous family, filled with blessings and abundance.
The mention of Tamar, the mother of Pharez, is also significant. Tamar's story, found in the book of Genesis, is one of faithfulness and perseverance. She was initially married to Judah's son, who died, and then later disguised herself as a prostitute to conceive a child with Judah. This unconventional act ultimately resulted in the birth of Pharez and Zarah. Tamar's story is one of redemption and the triumph of faith over adversity. By referencing her in this blessing, the elders are acknowledging the difficult circumstances that Ruth and Boaz have overcome and expressing their hope for a similarly triumphant outcome.
The second part of the verse "of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman" emphasizes the divine aspect of the blessing. It acknowledges that the ultimate source of blessings and prosperity comes from the Lord. Throughout the book of Ruth, we see how God works behind the scenes, orchestrating events and guiding the characters towards their redemption. This verse reflects the belief that their future family will be a product of God's grace and providence.
Overall, this verse encapsulates the themes of redemption, faithfulness, and divine blessing that run throughout the book of Ruth. It serves as a powerful conclusion to the story, expressing the hope and goodwill of the people towards Ruth and Boaz and acknowledging the role of God in their future. It is a reminder that no matter the hardships and challenges one may face, faith and perseverance will ultimately lead to blessings and redemption. The verse also highlights the interconnectedness of the characters within the biblical narrative, linking Ruth and Boaz to the larger lineage of Judah and ultimately, to the lineage of Jesus Christ. As such, this verse serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the promise of redemption for all who trust in the Lord.
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Ruth 4:12 - "And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman."
"And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman." - Ruth 4:12
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."
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 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 4:16 - "And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it."
Ruth 3:12 - "And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I."
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."
"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 4:8 - "Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe."
Ruth 4:2 - "And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down."
"¶ 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 Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab," - Ruth 4:19
"And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon," - Ruth 4:20
"And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed," - Ruth 4:21
Ruth 2:12 - "The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."
"And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I." - Ruth 3:12
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 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:"
"The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust." - Ruth 2:12
"¶ 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
Ruth 4:14 - "And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel."
Ruth 4:17 - "And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David."
Ruth 4:4 - "And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it."