Ruth 4 11

Ruth 4:11 kjv

And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

Ruth 4:11 nkjv

And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.

Ruth 4:11 niv

Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.

Ruth 4:11 esv

Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem,

Ruth 4:11 nlt

Then the elders and all the people standing in the gate replied, "We are witnesses! May the LORD make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.

Ruth 4 verses

Ruth 4 11 Meaning

This verse records the public affirmation and blessing bestowed upon Boaz and Ruth by the elders and people at the city gate. It is a prayer for Ruth to be divinely blessed with fertility and to build the house of Israel through a numerous and renowned lineage, akin to the matriarchs Rachel and Leah. Simultaneously, it is a prayer for Boaz to act valiantly and achieve fame within Bethlehem, implying prosperity, influence, and the continuation of his family line, leading to significant descendants who will bring honor to the community.

Ruth 4 11 Context

Ruth chapter 4 begins with Boaz presenting his case at the city gate, the official public square where legal and administrative matters were settled. He convenes the elders and approaches the closer kinsman to exercise the right of redemption—first the land of Elimelech, and then to raise up a name for the deceased through marriage to Ruth. When the closer kinsman declines, Boaz announces his intention to redeem both the land and marry Ruth, in accordance with the levirate customs adapted to a broader kinsman-redeemer (goel) responsibility. Verse 11 captures the communal response to this formal agreement, with the elders and all present acting as official witnesses to the transaction and blessing the new union. This verse serves as a climactic blessing and a prophetic utterance that connects Boaz and Ruth’s union to the broader narrative of God's covenant with Israel and the lineage that would ultimately lead to King David and, centuries later, the Messiah. The historical context includes the legal and social significance of the city gate, the importance of lineage and inheritance in Israelite society, and the foundational role of women in establishing and perpetuating a family 'house' or dynasty.

Ruth 4 11 Word analysis

• And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said: This signifies public consensus and official ratification. The "gate" (Hebrew: sha'ar, שער) was not merely an entrance but the primary locus of community life, governance, and justice. The "elders" (zeqenim, זקנים) were recognized leaders who adjudicated disputes and sanctioned agreements, giving legal weight to their pronouncement. Their collective voice embodies the community's endorsement and prayer.

• We are witnesses: (‘edim, עדים). This legal declaration confirms their observation and assent to Boaz's solemn declaration and covenant to redeem and marry Ruth. It legally validates the transfer of land and the marriage.

• The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel:

  • The Lord make: This is a direct appeal to Yahweh, indicating that the blessing and its fulfillment are seen as divine work. Human blessings are ultimately prayers for God's active involvement.
  • the woman that is come into thine house: Refers to Ruth, acknowledging her entrance into Boaz’s lineage and household.
  • like Rachel and like Leah: Rachel (Raḥel, רחל) and Leah (Le’ah, לאה) were Jacob's wives and the matriarchs who bore the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel. They symbolize foundational fruitfulness and the building blocks of the nation. Their lives, despite struggles like barrenness (Rachel initially) and marital strife, ultimately served God's purpose in establishing the nation of Israel. To be like them is to be blessed with extraordinary fertility and to contribute fundamentally to a great lineage.
  • did build the house of Israel: (banah bayit Yisra'el, בנה בית ישראל). To "build a house" often refers to establishing a family or dynasty, especially through bearing children. For Rachel and Leah, their numerous offspring formed the literal "house" or nation of Israel. The prayer is for Ruth to be a fruitful mother who, similarly, helps "build" Boaz's family line into prominence and contribute significantly to Israel's continuation.

• and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

  • and do thou worthily: (‘aseh hayil, עשה חיל). "Hayil" (חיל) is a rich Hebrew term, also translated as valor, strength, might, prosperity, or virtue/excellence. When applied to Boaz, it is a prayer that he would act with strength and competence, acquire wealth or standing, and show integrity and effectiveness in his actions. This phrase reflects a desire for Boaz to thrive and become a person of influence and renown in his community. It parallels the description of Ruth as a "woman of valor" (’eshet hayil, אשת חיל) in Ruth 3:11.
  • in Ephratah: (b'Efratah, באפרתה). An older or regional name for Bethlehem (cf. Mic 5:2, Gen 35:19). It emphasizes the local context and the desire for Boaz's influence to be felt powerfully within his immediate community.
  • and be famous: (qara’ shem, קרא שם). Literally "call a name" or "proclaim a name," meaning to achieve renown, honor, and a lasting reputation. It is a desire that Boaz's name and legacy (via his descendants) will be great and remembered.
  • in Bethlehem: (b'Beit Lechem, בבית לחם). "House of Bread." The well-known city, reinforcing the specificity of the blessing to Boaz's local impact and reputation within the very town where David would later be born.

Words-group analysis:

• "We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman... like Rachel and like Leah... did build the house of Israel...": This sequence of declaration and prayer underscores the communal, spiritual, and national significance of Ruth and Boaz's union. The witnesses validate the earthly transaction, while the prayer appeals for a divine blessing that connects their private union to the grand, ongoing narrative of God building His people. It implicitly blesses Ruth for her loyalty and selfless commitment, recognizing her as an integral part of Israel’s future despite her Moabite origins.

• "...do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem.": This segment shifts focus to Boaz, but implicitly includes the success of his future lineage with Ruth. The "worthily" (hayil) embodies a multi-faceted blessing encompassing strength, prosperity, and moral excellence. The dual place names, Ephratah and Bethlehem, serve as powerful markers for the locale where their fame would materialize. This collective blessing ultimately anticipates the birth of Obed, then Jesse, and finally David, making their "fame in Bethlehem" truly global and eternal.

Ruth 4 11 Bonus section

The blessing given by the people and elders at the gate is remarkably comprehensive, touching upon:

• Legitimacy: The presence of witnesses and elders confers official sanction.
• Divine Empowerment: The phrasing "The Lord make" grounds the blessing in God's active work, recognizing that true prosperity and legacy come from Him.
• Fertility and Family Continuation: The core desire is for a fruitful household, paramount in ancient Israelite culture for personal well-being and national strength.
• Historical Echoes: By referencing Rachel and Leah, the blessing roots Ruth's future not just in the immediate community but in the deep history and foundational covenant of Israel. It affirms that Ruth's Moabite origins do not preclude her from contributing to the nation's spiritual and physical continuity.
• Reputation and Legacy: The call for Boaz to act "worthily" and "be famous" indicates a desire for not just personal success but for a name (and lineage) that contributes positively and memorably to the community. This aligns with the wider biblical emphasis on leaving a righteous legacy.
• Anticipation of Messiah: Unbeknownst to them, the specific place-names (Ephratah, Bethlehem) and the desire for "fame" subtly anticipate the profound future significance of this union as the direct ancestral line to King David and later, the Lord Jesus Christ. This illustrates God's unseen hand orchestrating human events towards His ultimate redemptive plan.

Ruth 4 11 Commentary

Ruth 4:11 encapsulates a profound community blessing that moves beyond mere societal approval to a divine pronouncement over Ruth and Boaz's future. The public acknowledgment at the gate, led by the elders, emphasizes the legal and communal significance of the marriage, affirming its rightful place within Israelite tradition. The specific request for Ruth to be "like Rachel and like Leah" is not just for numerous children but for a lineage that will be instrumental in the ongoing "building" of the house of Israel. This connects the union to the foundational matriarchs of the nation, implicitly granting Ruth, a Moabite, a place of honor within the covenant people. Furthermore, the blessing upon Boaz to act "worthily" and achieve "fame" within Ephratah/Bethlehem extends beyond his personal status; it points to the esteemed future of his offspring. This seemingly simple community blessing carries immense prophetic weight, setting the stage for the birth of Obed, and through him, the line of David, highlighting God's providential care in preserving the lineage leading to the Messiah.