Ruth 4:1 - Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there. Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by. He said to him, “Come over here, friend, and sit down!” He came over, and sat down.
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What does "Ruth 4:1" mean?
This verse from Ruth 4:1 sets the scene for a crucial legal and social transaction. Let's break it down:
"Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there."
The "gate" was the central public space in a city. It's where important business, legal proceedings, and social gatherings took place.
Boaz going there indicates he's ready to conduct official business. Sitting down shows he's prepared to stay for a while and be readily available. He's initiating a formal procedure.
"Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by."
This introduces the anonymous "near kinsman," who has a closer kinship tie to Naomi (Ruth's mother-in-law) than Boaz does. This gives him the first right to redeem Naomi's land and marry Ruth to continue the family line (a practice known as levirate marriage).
The fact that he "came by" suggests this was a planned meeting. Boaz likely knew he would be passing through the gate.
"He said to him, “Come over here, friend, and sit down!” He came over, and sat down."
Boaz addresses the kinsman politely. "Friend" (Hebrew: peloni almoni) is a respectful, but somewhat vague, term. In the Old Testament it can refer to someone whose name is either unknown or intentionally omitted.
Boaz invites him to sit down to conduct business and creates a formal setting.
The kinsman's compliance by coming over and sitting confirms his willingness to participate in whatever Boaz has planned.
In summary, this verse establishes the following:
Setting: A formal and public location for legal transactions.
Characters: Boaz, who is initiating the proceedings, and the unnamed, closer kinsman, who has the right of redemption.
Tone: The verse sets a tone of formality and expectation. It's clear that something important is about to happen.
Implication: This sets the stage for Boaz to present the option of redeeming Naomi's land and marrying Ruth to the closer kinsman, which will determine who gets to fulfill this obligation and continue the family line. The kinsman's initial willingness hints that he might be interested in the deal.
The verse is crucial because it is the prelude to the core legal negotiation that will determine Ruth's future and lay the groundwork for her eventual marriage to Boaz.
Ruth 4:1 - Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there. Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by. He said to him, “Come over here, friend, and sit down!” He came over, and sat down.
What does "Ruth 4:1" mean?
This verse from Ruth 4:1 sets the scene for a crucial legal and social transaction. Let's break it down:
"Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there."
The "gate" was the central public space in a city. It's where important business, legal proceedings, and social gatherings took place.
Boaz going there indicates he's ready to conduct official business. Sitting down shows he's prepared to stay for a while and be readily available. He's initiating a formal procedure.
"Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by."
This introduces the anonymous "near kinsman," who has a closer kinship tie to Naomi (Ruth's mother-in-law) than Boaz does. This gives him the first right to redeem Naomi's land and marry Ruth to continue the family line (a practice known as levirate marriage).
The fact that he "came by" suggests this was a planned meeting. Boaz likely knew he would be passing through the gate.
"He said to him, “Come over here, friend, and sit down!” He came over, and sat down."
Boaz addresses the kinsman politely. "Friend" (Hebrew: peloni almoni) is a respectful, but somewhat vague, term. In the Old Testament it can refer to someone whose name is either unknown or intentionally omitted.
Boaz invites him to sit down to conduct business and creates a formal setting.
The kinsman's compliance by coming over and sitting confirms his willingness to participate in whatever Boaz has planned.
In summary, this verse establishes the following:
Setting: A formal and public location for legal transactions.
Characters: Boaz, who is initiating the proceedings, and the unnamed, closer kinsman, who has the right of redemption.
Tone: The verse sets a tone of formality and expectation. It's clear that something important is about to happen.
Implication: This sets the stage for Boaz to present the option of redeeming Naomi's land and marrying Ruth to the closer kinsman, which will determine who gets to fulfill this obligation and continue the family line. The kinsman's initial willingness hints that he might be interested in the deal.
The verse is crucial because it is the prelude to the core legal negotiation that will determine Ruth's future and lay the groundwork for her eventual marriage to Boaz.