Boaz Takes Ruth as His Wife

A search of Ruth 3, 4 (KJV)

The events in chapter 3 lead up to the decision between two kinsman of Ruth who would ‘do the part of a kinsman to [her]’ (C. 3, v. 13).  The process involved the buying/selling exchange of land that belonged to a deceased relative.  In Ruth’s case, Naomi was selling land which was that of her deceased husband, Elimelech.  There were only two relatives who qualified to be the kinsman to buy the land—Boaz and another relative.  Whoever purchased Naomi’s land was also required to purchase land from Ruth who was the widow of Mahlon.

The one kinsman could not redeem the property for fear it would blemish his own inheritance.  “Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.  Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee.  So he drew off his shoe.  And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.  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” (C. 4, vs. 7-10).

“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.  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.  And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.  And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it” (C. 4,vs. 13-16).

“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.  Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David” (C. 4, vs. 17-22).