Ruth 4 16

Ruth 4:16 kjv

And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

Ruth 4:16 nkjv

Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him.

Ruth 4:16 niv

Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him.

Ruth 4:16 esv

Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse.

Ruth 4:16 nlt

Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own.

Ruth 4 verses

Ruth 4 16 Meaning

Ruth 4:16 describes the joyous culmination of Naomi's story of bitterness and loss transforming into restoration and profound purpose. Naomi, who had returned to Bethlehem "empty," now cradles her grandson, Obed, on her lap. Her act of taking the child onto her "bosom" signifies deep intimacy, adoption, and loving ownership. By "becoming a nurse to him," she assumes a vital, nurturing role, not just providing physical care, but also foundational guidance and loyal support, signifying her reintegration and vital contribution to the perpetuation of the family line, particularly the line that would lead to King David and ultimately the Messiah. It represents the fulfillment of God's redemptive work, filling emptiness with new life and purpose.

Ruth 4 16 Context

Ruth 4:16 concludes the primary narrative of Ruth and Boaz, signifying the restoration of Naomi's fortunes. Following the tragic loss of her husband and two sons in Moab (Ruth 1), Naomi returned to Bethlehem empty and embittered. Chapter 4 recounts Boaz's legal act of kinsman-redemption, marrying Ruth, Mahlon's widow, to preserve the family name and inheritance. This act secures Elimelech's lineage and restores Ruth's position in Israel. The women of Bethlehem celebrate this divine provision, acknowledging that Ruth, who loves Naomi, is better than seven sons, and foretelling that the coming child will be "a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age" (Ruth 4:15). Verse 16 directly fulfills this declaration, showcasing the tangible manifestation of God's grace and faithful love (hesed) at work through human agents. Historically, the continuity of family lines was paramount in Israel, assuring land inheritance and cultural identity. The birth of a male heir brought immense joy and societal security, a need profoundly met in Obed for Naomi.

Ruth 4 16 Word analysis

• Then Naomi (וַתִּקַּח נָעֳמִי, va-tikkach Na‘omi):
  • Naomi (נָעֳמִי): Hebrew for "my pleasantness" or "pleasant one." This name takes on profound significance, as she earlier declared herself "Mara" (bitter) due to her severe losses (Ruth 1:20). Her reclaiming of her identity and name here is complete, representing the restoration of her joy and life's pleasantness through God's abundant provision.
• took (וַתִּקַּח, va-tikkach): From the verb לָקַח (laqach), meaning "to take, to seize, to acquire." Here, it signifies a deliberate, affirming action of Naomi taking possession of the child, not just passively receiving. It shows her embracing this new role and relationship.
• the child (אֶת־הַיֶּלֶד, et ha-yeled): Refers specifically to Obed. The definite article "the" highlights his importance as the expected heir and the tangible fruit of Boaz's redemption. Obed's very name, "serving" or "worshipper," would later symbolize his place in the service of God's plan through the Davidic lineage.
• and laid him (וַתְּשִׂמֵהוּ, va-t'simēhū): From the verb שׂוּם (sum), meaning "to place, to put, to appoint." It suggests a tender and intentional act of positioning the child.
• on her bosom (עַל־חֵיקָהּ, al-ḥêqāh):
  • bosom (חֵיק, ḥêq): This Hebrew word refers to the lap, chest, or bosom, often a place of great intimacy, comfort, security, and nourishment. Laying the child on her bosom signifies more than mere physical proximity; it speaks of deep emotional attachment, protection, familial adoption, and nurturing. It underscores Naomi's spiritual "motherhood" of Obed, treating him as if he were her own son or grandson by blood, offering him full acceptance and care within her family sphere.
• and became a nurse to him (וַתְּהִי־לוֹ לְאֹמֶנֶת, va-t'hî-lō lə'ōmenet):
  • became (וַתְּהִי, va-t'hî): From הָיָה (hayah), "to be, become." Indicates an assumption of role or state.
  • a nurse (לְאֹמֶנֶת, lə'ōmenet): The feminine noun אֹמֶנֶת (ōmenet), derived from the verbal root אָמַן (ʾāman), meaning "to be firm, stable, faithful, trustworthy, reliable." This is a crucial detail. While it refers to one who physically nurtures and cares for a child (a wet nurse or nanny), its root conveys a deeper significance. Naomi is not just a caregiver; she is establishing a foundational relationship of fidelity and trust with Obed. She is acting as a faithful guardian and a loyal supporter, providing the stability and sustenance necessary for his upbringing. This root is also where words like "Amen" (so be it, truly), "emuna" (faith/faithfulness), and "emeth" (truth) come from, connecting Naomi's role to God's faithfulness and truthfulness in fulfilling His promises.
  • to him (לוֹ, lō): Clearly stating her specific purpose and devotion to Obed.
• "Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom": This phrase encapsulates the warmth of acceptance, familial intimacy, and restoration. It is the visible sign of Naomi embracing her renewed purpose and the concrete blessing that fills her emptiness. It signifies an act of symbolic adoption and loving care.
• "and became a nurse to him": This part highlights the active, committed role Naomi takes on. It's not passive joy, but an active engagement in the child's life and development. Her past grief is now channelled into nurturing new life, symbolizing a powerful shift from bereavement to generative purpose. Her nursing, in this profound sense of being a faithful supporter, is crucial to Obed's early life and by extension, to the subsequent lineage of David and Jesus.

Ruth 4 16 Bonus section

The profound reversal of fortune for Naomi is a central theme: she returns from Moab with nothing but Ruth, declaring herself "Mara" (bitter), and yet she lives to nurture the future grandfather of Israel's greatest king and an ancestor of the Messiah. The book of Ruth, ending with Naomi embracing Obed, illustrates that even through human tragedy and unlikely circumstances, God faithfully works His sovereign plan, demonstrating His covenant love (hesed) that flows through ordinary people doing extraordinary acts of loyalty and compassion. This act also subtly champions a broader understanding of "motherhood" and family, beyond biological ties, rooted in loyal love and faithful nurture. Naomi’s physical care of Obed reinforces the idea that true blessedness is found in relationship, particularly when God sovereignly orchestrates unlikely unions for a grander redemptive purpose.

Ruth 4 16 Commentary

Ruth 4:16 provides a vivid image of redemption and a deeply moving conclusion to Naomi's personal journey. It is a powerful display of God's redemptive work, turning barrenness into fruitfulness and bitter emptiness into joyous fullness. Naomi, once lost and destitute, receives her "reward" in a new lineage. Her act of taking Obed onto her bosom and becoming his nurse is more than domestic childcare; it is a profound declaration of restored life and purpose. Through her adopted relationship with Obed, Naomi’s name is truly re-established as “pleasant.” This nurturing act affirms the community’s declaration that Obed would be a "restorer of life" and "nourisher" for Naomi. It foreshadows the greater work of the Kinsman-Redeemer, Christ, who takes on humanity, nurtures His people, and brings full restoration and hope, solidifying their place in God's eternal family.