Ruth 4 14

Ruth 4:14 kjv

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 4:14 nkjv

Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel!

Ruth 4:14 niv

The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel!

Ruth 4:14 esv

Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!

Ruth 4:14 nlt

Then the women of the town said to Naomi, "Praise the LORD, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel.

Ruth 4 verses

Ruth 4 14 Meaning

Ruth 4:14 captures a moment of joyous affirmation from the women of Bethlehem to Naomi, celebrating the Lord's divine faithfulness and provision. It signifies God's intervention to reverse Naomi's sorrow and desolation, ensuring she would not be left without a go'el (kinsman redeemer) to secure her lineage and family name. The verse praises God for raising up Boaz as this redeemer and expresses the community's hope that his act would bring great renown in Israel, thereby blessing Naomi and the continuation of a significant household.

Ruth 4 14 Context

This verse comes at the climactic moment of the book of Ruth, following Boaz's fulfillment of his role as kinsman-redeemer. Earlier in chapter 4, Boaz publicly secured the right to redeem Elimelech's land and marry Ruth, sealing the agreement at the city gate. This act ensured that the family name of Mahlon (Naomi's deceased son) would not perish from Bethlehem. The women's joyful exclamation in verse 14 represents the community's acknowledgment of God's benevolent hand in turning Naomi's former bitterness and emptiness (as expressed in Ruth 1:20-21) into profound restoration and hope. They witness a dramatic turnaround from desolation to renewal, validating the fidelity of God and the significance of Ruth and Boaz's union. The provision of a go'el meant the family lineage and land inheritance were preserved, vital aspects of life in ancient Israel.

Ruth 4 14 Word analysis

• Then the women said to Naomi: The collective voice of the Bethlehem community. Signifies social recognition and affirmation. Represents their shared joy in God's providence. They are observers and active participants in validating the blessed outcome.
• Blessed be the Lord: (Hebrew: Baruch Yahweh, ברוך יהוה). A common Hebrew expression of praise and adoration. It attributes the positive turn of events directly to God. Acknowledges God's active involvement and goodness. Shifts focus from human agents (Boaz, Ruth) to the divine orchestrator.
• who has not left you: Emphasizes God's active, watchful care. Suggests a continuous oversight, preventing Naomi from remaining in her previous state of utter desolation. Highlights God's personal concern for individuals.
• this day: Signifies the present, immediate nature of God's blessing. Marks a specific, turning point in Naomi's life. Emphasizes God's perfect timing in providing.
• without a redeemer: (Hebrew: גֹּאֵל, go'el). This term is central. The go'el was a kinsman responsible for protecting the family's interests, particularly land, lineage, and personal freedom.
  • Legal/Social Role: In Leviticus 25, the go'el had the right and obligation to buy back property that a relative had been forced to sell due to poverty. In Numbers 35, the go'el could be the "avenger of blood." Deuteronomy 25 describes a related practice, levirate marriage, which a go'el could fulfill to raise offspring for a deceased brother and perpetuate his name.
  • Ruth Context: Boaz fulfills the role of go'el for Naomi and Ruth by redeeming the land of Elimelech and marrying Ruth to raise up a name for Mahlon. This ensures Naomi's lineage and heritage are restored.
  • Theological Significance: God Himself is frequently portrayed as the Go'el (Redeemer) of Israel, particularly in Isaiah (e.g., Isa 43:1; 44:24). This earthly go'el points to God as the ultimate Redeemer who acts faithfully to save His people from all forms of bondage and despair.
  • Contrast to Ruth 1:11: Naomi's lament that she had "no more sons to be husbands for you" (no future go'elim) is dramatically reversed here by God's provision.
• and may his name be renowned in Israel!: This refers to Boaz.
  • "his name": Represents Boaz's character, reputation, and actions.
  • "be renowned": To become famous, illustrious, or celebrated. His righteous deed (redeeming Naomi's land and lineage) brought him honor within the community. This aligns with the wisdom literature's emphasis on a good name (Prov 22:1).
  • "in Israel": Highlights the public and communal aspect of this recognition. Boaz's faithfulness exemplifies godly behavior within the covenant community. His acts served as a public testament to God's continued working among His people, fulfilling covenant promises even through a Moabite woman.

Ruth 4 14 Bonus section

The women's blessing implicitly includes Ruth, as she is integral to Boaz's becoming a redeemer for Naomi's line. Ruth, a Moabitess, became part of Israel's heritage through this act, defying conventional societal boundaries and underscoring God's expansive grace. Her inclusion foreshadows the New Testament truth that salvation and inclusion in God's family are not limited by ethnicity or background. This narrative line ultimately leads to King David and then to Jesus the Messiah, highlighting God's plan of redemption unfolds through seemingly ordinary acts of faithfulness. The verse underscores God's meticulous care for the individual within the broader context of His overarching redemptive plan for humanity.

Ruth 4 14 Commentary

Ruth 4:14 is a beautiful doxology offered by the Bethlehem women, encapsulating the triumphant resolution of Naomi's story. It shifts from Naomi's initial bitter lament in Ruth 1 to profound blessing. The core of the blessing lies in the provision of a "redeemer," the go'el. This figure, embodied by Boaz, ensured the continuity of family, land, and name – vital elements of identity and stability in ancient Israel. More than just a legal transaction, Boaz's action demonstrated profound covenant love and faithfulness, acting as God's instrument. The verse attributes this perfect timing and provision not to chance, nor solely to human agency, but explicitly to "the Lord," confirming divine providence throughout the narrative. The community's hope that Boaz's "name be renowned" underscores the importance of righteous conduct and its positive societal impact. Ultimately, this specific act of redemption by Boaz within his community points to the greater work of redemption that God performs for His people, a work that culminates in the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who provides spiritual freedom and inheritance. The passage is a powerful testimony to God's capacity to bring about glorious restoration even from the depths of emptiness.