Section 4:1–12
Boaz assumed responsibility for Ruth
In this final chapter of the book, Ruth received the reward for her loyalty to Naomi.
Boaz is in focus in the first twelve verses. He met with the other close relative in the presence of many witnesses to discuss the entire situation. The other relative did not want to buy Elimelech’s property that Naomi was selling, if the arrangement also meant that he had to marry Ruth. So Boaz said that he would act as the redeemer himself.
In section 4:13–17, Boaz and Ruth were married, and the LORD soon gave them a son. The women in Bethlehem named the son Obed and rejoiced that Naomi now had a “son” to carry on her family line and care for her in her old age. So both Naomi and Ruth were going to be cared for, and the women went from “emptiness” to “fullness.”
Section 4:18–22 concludes the book with a genealogy that lists of the family line of Perez, who was a son of Judah and grandson of Jacob (who is also called Israel). The family line is listed from Perez through Obed to King David.
Here are some other examples of section headings for 4:1–12:
Boaz Redeems Ruth (English Standard Version)
-or-
Boaz Settles the Matter (NET Bible)
Structure:
Some commentaries divide this section into four scenes:
(1) 4:1–2 Introduction: Boaz Convenes a Legal Assembly
(2) 4:3–8 Boaz Obtains the Rights of Redemption
(3) 4:9–10 Boaz Formalizes the Agreement
(4) 4:11–12 Witnessing and Blessing
One commentary divides this section into three scenes.
(1) 4:1–2 setting the stage for the legal drama
(2) 4:3–8 report of the legal drama
(3) 4:9–12 significance of legal drama
You may divide the paragraphs in these scenes in whatever way best fits the structure of your language.
Paragraph 4:1–2
This paragraph describes how Boaz convened a legal assembly at the town gate prior to the actual legal proceedings.
4:1a
Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate: The Hebrew conjunction that connects this to the previous verse does not indicate when this action took place in relation to the events that occurred at the end of chapter 3. The Berean Standard Bible uses Meanwhile to begin the sentence, since it seems quite probable that Boaz went up to the gate area of the city and sat down there to wait during the same time that Ruth was returning home to Naomi and talking with her (3:16–18).
Here is another way to translate Meanwhile :
Before the close relative arrived
to the gate: Here the phrase to the gate is probably an idiom that means “went to court.” At that time it was normal for the town meeting place to be just inside the town gate. That is where Boaz went. He did not go to the gate itself.
Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:
Boaz went to the meeting place at the town gate (Good News Translation)
-or-
Boaz went to the place where leaders met to decide important things/cases
If people in your culture are not familiar with towns that have walls and gates, it may be necessary to explain in a footnote that towns had walls and gates in OT times.
and sat down there: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sat down is the same verb translated as “wait” in 3:18a. Boaz may have expected that he would have to wait for a while. Apparently, the relative he wanted to see was not there when he arrived. So he sat down to wait for him.
4:1b
In Hebrew, this part of the verse includes the word hinneh, which is often translated as “Behold” or “Look.” See how you translated it in 3:8b.
This word calls the readers’ attention to what happened. Use whatever special words, word order, or other method your language uses to focus attention on someone or some event.
Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along: This refers to the man whom Boaz had mentioned to Ruth. This man had the right and duty to redeem Naomi’s land and to marry Ruth. Here are some other ways to translate kinsman-redeemer :
nearest relative (Good News Translation)
-or-
the one who was responsible to care for the family
-or-
the relative with the duty to help the family
See how your translated “kinsman-redeemer” in 2:20c and 3:9d.
came along: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as came along indicates that the man was in the process of “passing by” or “going through” the gate area when Boaz saw him.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
was passing by (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
came past (Revised English Bible)
4:1c
and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.”: Boaz called out to the man and asked him to Come over to where Boaz was sitting. The man was apparently going somewhere else, but Boaz asked him to stop and take care of this business first.
my friend: Boaz was looking for this particular man, and he certainly knew his name. But the author of the book of Ruth did not know the name or did not wish to provide it.
There are two ways to translate what Boaz said:
• Use a direct quotation, but leave the form of address general. For example:
“My friend/brother, come over here…
• Use an indirect quotation. For example:
Boaz invited the man to come over.
4:1d
So: The same Hebrew conjunction that was used in 4:1a, in this verse part indicates result. The other relative came over to Boaz, because Boaz had called him.
he went over and sat down: The important status that Boaz had in the community is clearly seen here and in 4:2b. When Boaz asked the relative and the elders of the town to do something, they promptly did exactly what he asked.
Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:
So the man came over and sat down. (God’s Word)
-or-
So Boaz invited him to come over and sit down, and he did. (Contemporary English Version)
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