Ruth 4 10

Ruth 4:10 kjv

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 4:10 nkjv

Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day."

Ruth 4:10 niv

I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!"

Ruth 4:10 esv

Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day."

Ruth 4:10 nlt

And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. This way she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. You are all witnesses today."

Ruth 4 verses

Ruth 4 10 Meaning

Ruth 4:10 records Boaz's public declaration at the city gate, announcing his legal acquisition of Ruth the Moabitess as his wife. The explicit purpose of this union is to perpetuate the name of Mahlon, Ruth's deceased husband, ensuring that his family line and inheritance are preserved and not forgotten within the community. This act fulfills the custom of the kinsman-redeemer and the spirit of levirate marriage, with the community serving as witnesses to this pivotal covenant.

Ruth 4 10 Context

h2This verse is situated in Ruth chapter 4, at the climax of the book's narrative. Following Naomi's urging and Ruth's proactive approach, Boaz undertakes the formal legal procedure to acquire the field of Elimelech, Naomi's deceased husband, and concomitantly, to marry Ruth, the widow of Mahlon (Elimelech's son). This legal transaction occurs at the city gate of Bethlehem, the recognized venue for legal, social, and commercial dealings in ancient Israel. Boaz, the near kinsman, approaches the even closer unnamed kinsman-redeemer. When the nearer kinsman declines the responsibility because it would impair his own inheritance, Boaz readily steps forward. Ruth 4:10 is Boaz's public declaration, witnessed by the elders and the townspeople, finalizing his commitment. Historically and culturally, the preservation of a family's name and inheritance was paramount in Israelite society, intertwined with the very fabric of identity, land ownership, and adherence to the Law, particularly concerning levirate marriage (Deut 25:5-10). The concern was not just financial but existential—ensuring that a deceased man's line would not "be cut off," signifying a complete cessation of memory and legacy.

Ruth 4 10 Word analysis

h2

• Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess: This emphasizes Ruth's foreign origin, a significant detail considering the decree against Moabites entering the assembly of the Lord (Deut 23:3). Her inclusion, however, highlights God's redemptive plan that transcends ethnic boundaries, embracing Gentiles through faithfulness and loyalty to Him and His people, as shown by Ruth's declaration in Ruth 1:16-17.
• the widow of Mahlon: Identifies the specific family lineage in need of preservation and highlights the tragic circumstances leading to the need for a kinsman-redeemer. Mahlon's death without an heir necessitated the levirate arrangement.
• I have acquired to be my wife: The Hebrew verb is qanithi (קניתי), from the root qanah, meaning "to acquire, buy, possess." This verb emphasizes the legal and contractual nature of the marriage. Boaz is not merely taking Ruth, but formally and legally "acquiring" her as part of the broader redemption package of the land, demonstrating his full commitment to the law and custom.
• to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance: The Hebrew phrase is l'haqim shem ha-met al naḥalato (להקים שם המת על נחלתו). Haqim means "to establish, raise up, preserve." The core purpose is not for Boaz to gain an heir for himself, but for any son born from this union to legally be considered the son and heir of Mahlon. This ensures Mahlon's name is remembered and his inheritance remains within his family line. This is the very essence of the levirate obligation (Deut 25:6).
• that the name of the dead may not be cut off: The Hebrew phrase velo'-yikkaret shem ha-met (ולא ייכרת שם המת). Yikkaret (from karat) means "to be cut off, cut down, perish, eradicate." This highlights the dire consequence feared in ancient Israel: the utter extinction of a family line and the accompanying loss of identity and legacy within the community. It represents a total erasure from memory and from the inheritance register.
• from among his brothers: Refers to Mahlon's larger extended family or clan within the tribe of Judah, indicating that his name would be lost from his kinship group's memory and records.
• and from the gate of his place: "The gate of his place" refers to the city gate, the public place where legal transactions, social gatherings, and judgments took place. This signifies that Mahlon's name would be forgotten publicly, removed from communal recognition and any legal records. The community's knowledge and acknowledgment were vital for the perpetuation of a name and status.
• You are witnesses this day: This direct address seals the declaration. The presence of the elders and all the people at the city gate serves as an official legal record. Their witnessing makes Boaz's pledge publicly binding and unchallengeable. This custom aligns with biblical principles requiring multiple witnesses for legal validity (Deut 19:15).

Ruth 4 10 Bonus section

h2

• The contrast between the "unnamed kinsman" (אתי אלמני – lit. "so and so," emphasizing his desire for anonymity and self-preservation) and Boaz is striking. While the unnamed kinsman feared impairing his own inheritance and name (Ruth 4:6), Boaz willingly committed to establish Mahlon's name, even potentially at personal cost. This highlights Boaz's truly redemptive and altruistic character, demonstrating true righteousness.
• This act of "perpetuating the name" was more than just maintaining a memory; it was ensuring the continuity of the family unit's legal existence, their claim to their tribal inheritance, and their participation in the ongoing covenantal blessings given to Israel. It reflects a deep communal responsibility.
• The meticulous legal steps Boaz takes at the city gate underscore the covenantal nature of this transaction, reflecting God's own carefulness in establishing His covenants with humanity. This public, witnessed act reinforces the legal legitimacy of the lineage from which David, and later Christ, would descend.
• While the primary focus is Mahlon's name, the union also highlights God's surprising inclusion of Ruth the Moabitess in Israel's foundational narrative, foreshadowing the expansive nature of His redemption beyond the boundaries of ethnic Israel (e.g., Isa 56:3-7, Eph 2:11-16).

Ruth 4 10 Commentary

h2Ruth 4:10 is the culminating legal act that not only secures the future of Naomi and Ruth but also demonstrates Boaz's exceptional integrity and devotion to Israelite law and community welfare. He fully embraces the role of the kinsman-redeemer (go'el), taking on the responsibility not only of the land but also the human element, safeguarding Mahlon's lineage through Ruth. His selflessness, by risking his own estate and name to uphold another's, contrasts sharply with the unnamed kinsman who prioritized his own preservation. This verse showcases God's providence in preserving the ancestral line that would ultimately lead to King David and, centuries later, to Jesus Christ. It beautifully intertwines the intricate details of ancient Israelite law with the overarching divine plan, showing how ordinary acts of obedience and compassion become integral to extraordinary redemptive history. It reminds us that faithfulness within our daily circumstances can contribute to God's greater purposes.