What does Ruth 4:11 mean?
"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 Beth-lehem:" - Ruth 4:11
Sure, here is the commentary on Ruth 4:11 in the King James Version:
The verse Ruth 4:11 in the King James Version states: "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."
This verse comes from the last chapter of the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament. The Book of Ruth tells the beautiful story of a Moabite woman named Ruth who remains loyal and devoted to her mother-in-law Naomi even after the deaths of Naomi's husband and two sons. Ruth follows Naomi to Bethlehem and eventually becomes the great-grandmother of King David. The verse itself is spoken by the elders and people at the city gate and serves as a blessing for Boaz and Ruth's marriage.
The verse is significant in several ways. Firstly, the reference to Rachel and Leah is important. Rachel and Leah were two of the wives of Jacob and the mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel. By invoking their names, the people at the gate are acknowledging the importance of Ruth and Boaz's union, comparing it to the foundational marriages of Israel's history.
The use of the phrase "worthily in Ephratah" is another significant aspect of this verse. Ephratah is an ancient name for Bethlehem, and the use of this name adds a sense of historical and cultural weight to the blessing. The people at the gate are asking for Boaz to be honorable and respectful within the community, and for him to bring credit to their city.
Furthermore, the phrase "be famous in Bethlehem" not only indicates a desire for Boaz and Ruth to have a good reputation in the community but also suggests that their union will be remembered and celebrated in Bethlehem for generations to come. This prophecy is particularly significant given the eventual importance of Ruth and Boaz's lineage - their great-grandson is none other than King David, one of the most revered figures in Jewish history. This verse, therefore, can be seen as the beginning of a prophecy that extends far beyond the immediate context of Ruth and Boaz.
The verse also highlights the theme of redemption and provision that runs throughout the Book of Ruth. Boaz, as a kinsman-redeemer, plays a crucial role in providing for and protecting Ruth and Naomi. By blessing the union of Boaz and Ruth, the elders and people are affirming the importance of this act of redemption and demonstrating their support for the restoration of Naomi and Ruth's family line.
Ultimately, Ruth 4:11 is a powerful and significant verse that encapsulates the themes of loyalty, redemption, and the honoring of tradition and heritage. It also serves as a foreshadowing of the impact that Ruth and Boaz's union will have on the history of Israel. Through their marriage, a new family line is established, one that will lead to the birth of King David and, ultimately, to the birth of Jesus Christ. This verse holds deep significance for those who study the Bible and seek to understand the overarching narrative of God's redemptive plan for humanity.
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Ruth 4:11 - "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 Beth-lehem:"
"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 Beth-lehem:" - Ruth 4:11
Ruth 1:4 - "And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years."
Ruth 4:13 - "¶ So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son."
Ruth 4:18 - "¶ Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,"
Ruth 4:20 - "And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,"
Ruth 4:21 - "And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,"
Ruth 4:19 - "And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,"
Ruth 4:22 - "And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David."
Ruth 4:5 - "Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance."
Ruth 4:16 - "And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it."
Ruth 4:10 - "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."
"And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years." - Ruth 1:4
Ruth 4:8 - "Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe."
Ruth 4:2 - "And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down."
"¶ Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron," - Ruth 4:18
"And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David." - Ruth 4:22
"And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab," - Ruth 4:19
"And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon," - Ruth 4:20
"And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed," - Ruth 4:21
Ruth 2:4 - "¶ And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee."
Ruth 1:11 - "And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?"
Ruth 4:3 - "And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:"
Ruth 3:11 - "And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman."
"¶ So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son." - Ruth 4:13
Ruth 4:14 - "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 4:17 - "And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David."
Ruth 4:4 - "And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it."
Ruth 4:12 - "And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman."
"And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it." - Ruth 4:16