Ruth 4 1

Ruth 4:1 kjv

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 nkjv

Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, "Come aside, friend, sit down here." So he came aside and sat down.

Ruth 4:1 niv

Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, "Come over here, my friend, and sit down." So he went over and sat down.

Ruth 4:1 esv

Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, "Turn aside, friend; sit down here." And he turned aside and sat down.

Ruth 4:1 nlt

Boaz went to the town gate and took a seat there. Just then the family redeemer he had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, "Come over here and sit down, friend. I want to talk to you." So they sat down together.

Ruth 4 verses

Ruth 4 1 Meaning

Ruth 4:1 describes Boaz's swift and intentional action to resolve Ruth's kinsman-redeemer issue. He positions himself at the city gate, the designated location for public legal and business matters. Through divine providence or opportune timing, the closer kinsman-redeemer, whose name is not recorded, arrives. Boaz then formally, yet politely, invites him to sit and discuss the matter publicly, setting the stage for the legal resolution of Ruth's future.

Ruth 4 1 Context

Ruth 4:1 opens the climactic chapter of the book of Ruth, serving as the immediate fulfillment of Boaz's promise to Ruth at the threshing floor in chapter 3 (Ruth 3:13). After establishing Boaz's noble character and Ruth's virtuous appeal, the narrative moves directly to the legal and public resolution. The city gate, a focal point in ancient Israelite urban life, functioned as the community's primary administrative and judicial center. It was the customary place where elders sat, disputes were resolved, contracts were validated, and business transactions, particularly those involving land or inheritance, were finalized with witnesses. This setting underscores the legal, public, and transparent nature of the proceedings concerning Ruth’s redemption and Naomi’s property, ensuring a rightful and acknowledged transfer of responsibilities and assets within the community.

Ruth 4 1 Word analysis

• Now Boaz (וּבֹעַז, u-Vo'az): The conjunction "and" or "now" emphasizes the immediate progression of events from Boaz's promise. "Boaz" (meaning "in him is strength" or "swiftness") personifies his decisive and upright character in this moment.
• went up (עָלָה, 'alah): Signifies a purposeful ascent, indicating deliberate action and intention. Often implies movement towards a place of importance or authority, which the gate represented.
• to the gate (הַשַּׁעַר, ha-sha'ar): "The gate" refers specifically to the city gate, a universally recognized location for legal assembly, public justice, and commerce in ancient Near Eastern societies. The definite article highlights its unique function and significance.
• and sat down there (וַיֵּשֶׁב שָׁם, vayyeshev sham): A deliberate act of settling, not merely passing through. Sitting conveyed readiness, patience, and authority, indicating that Boaz was prepared to conduct a serious matter publicly.
• and behold (וְהִנֵּה, ve-hinneh): An interjection used to introduce something surprising or of significant importance that unfolds suddenly, drawing the reader's attention to a key providential moment in the narrative—the unexpected, yet timely, arrival of the closer kinsman.
• the redeemer (הַגֹּאֵל, ha-go'el): The definite article "the" refers to the specific individual Boaz mentioned previously, the go'el with primary responsibility for family redemption. The go'el was a relative charged with protecting the family's interests, land, and ensuring its continuity, notably through obligations detailed in levirate law and land redemption.
• of whom Boaz spoke (אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר־בֹּעַז עָלָיו, asher dibber-Boaz 'alayv): Directly links this meeting to Boaz's promise and transparent disclosure to Ruth in Ruth 3:12-13. This detail confirms Boaz's integrity and his commitment to proper legal protocol.
• came by (עֹבֵר, 'over): A participle indicating someone "passing by" or "on the move." This suggests the kinsman's arrival was not planned or an immediate response to Boaz's summons, but rather coincidental, reinforcing the element of providential timing signaled by "behold."
• So Boaz said (וַיֹּאמֶר בֹּעַז, vayyomer Boaz): Signifies Boaz's immediate and confident initiative to engage the kinsman upon seeing him, taking control of the situation.
• Turn aside (סוּרָה, surah): An imperative verb meaning "to turn away," "to stop," or "to step aside." It's a polite yet firm summons to interrupt the kinsman's journey and engage in discourse.
• friend (פְּלֹנִי אַלְמֹנִי, p'loni almoni): A unique, untranslatable Hebrew phrase, akin to "So-and-so" or "Mr. What's-his-name." It is a literary device used to anonymize a character whose name is not essential to the core narrative, perhaps to highlight his moral unworthiness in not fulfilling his kinsman duty or to underscore Boaz's prominent role.
• sit down here (שְׁבָה פֹה, shevah poh): An imperative invitation to formalize the meeting. Asking someone to sit down at the gate signifies readiness for a serious, formal discussion or legal deliberation.
• And he turned aside and sat down (וַיָּסַר וַיֵּשֶׁב, vayyasar vayyeshev): His immediate compliance indicates an acknowledgement of Boaz's authority or status, or simply adherence to the social etiquette expected at the city gate.

Ruth 4 1 Bonus section

• The strategic sitting of Boaz at the gate signifies a deliberate commitment to fulfilling his word and duty. It's a statement of readiness and purpose.
• The unnamed kinsman is referred to as P'loni Almoni, which is a peculiar ancient Hebrew legal placeholder for an anonymous individual. This anonymity may symbolize his ultimate failure to play a significant, honorable role in the covenantal narrative compared to Boaz.
• This verse showcases not only Boaz’s integrity but also the structured legal system of ancient Israel, where major transactions were conducted in public forums to ensure transparency and prevent future disputes.
• The convergence of Boaz, the city gate, and the arrival of the closer kinsman ('over') highlights the precise, "just-in-time" orchestration by the divine hand (often reflected through the use of hinneh - "behold"), ensuring that Boaz's noble intentions could be brought to fruition.

Ruth 4 1 Commentary

Ruth 4:1 acts as a pivot point, transitioning from personal relationships to public legal resolution within the narrative. It powerfully illustrates Boaz’s proactive righteousness and God's providence. Boaz, a man of integrity, takes swift and decisive action as he promised. His strategic placement at the city gate demonstrates his wisdom and respect for communal law, ensuring that the ensuing transaction would be public and legally binding. The "anonymous kinsman" highlights a narrative choice: the story's focus is not on this man, but on the kinsman-redeemer concept itself and how Boaz will fulfill it. This scene lays the groundwork for the future lineage of King David and ultimately, the Messiah, establishing justice and ensuring continuity through a divinely guided, earthly redeemer. Boaz's actions serve as a model of leadership and faith in honoring obligations and securing a future for the vulnerable.