Ruth 4:10 - Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses today.”
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What does "Ruth 4:10" mean?
This verse, Ruth 4:10, is a crucial part of the climax of the Book of Ruth, where Boaz publicly declares his intention to redeem Naomi's family land and marry Ruth. Let's break down the meaning:
"Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have purchased to be my wife...": This is Boaz stating that he is taking Ruth as his wife. This is significant for several reasons:
Ruth was a Moabitess: Moabites were often looked down upon by Israelites. Boaz's willingness to marry her demonstrates his character and adherence to the spirit of the law (showing kindness and compassion to a foreigner in need).
Ruth was the widow of Mahlon: Mahlon was Naomi's deceased son. Boaz is explicitly connecting this marriage to the lineage and inheritance of Mahlon's family.
"Purchased": This refers to the levirate marriage custom and the redemption of property. Boaz is not buying Ruth as a slave, but rather acquiring the right and responsibility to marry her in order to continue the family line.
"...to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance...": This is the core purpose of the levirate marriage, as described in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. The purpose is to continue the deceased man's family line and ensure that his property remains within his family. When a woman's husband died without leaving a male heir, it was the duty of his brother (or, in this case, a close relative) to marry her and have a son who would be considered the legal heir of the deceased.
"...that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place.": This elaborates on the previous phrase. "The name of the dead" refers to his memory, legacy, and the continuity of his family. "Cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place" means that the man's lineage would disappear from the community. "The gate of his place" refers to the public life and records of the town; without a son, his name would eventually be forgotten in the public records.
"You are witnesses today.”: Boaz is making this declaration publicly before the elders and other members of the community. He is solidifying the agreement and ensuring that there will be witnesses to confirm that he has taken on these responsibilities.
In summary, this verse conveys the following key points:
Boaz is publicly committing to marrying Ruth.
He is doing so specifically to fulfill the levirate marriage obligation and redeem the family property of Naomi's deceased husband and sons.
His motivation is to ensure the continuity of the family line and preserve the memory of the deceased, preventing his name from being forgotten in the community.
He is doing so legally and publicly, with witnesses to the transaction.
This verse is a powerful statement of loyalty, compassion, and adherence to the principles of the law. It sets the stage for the birth of Obed, who will become the grandfather of King David, highlighting the significance of this seemingly small act of redemption in the larger story of Israel's history and the lineage of Jesus.
Ruth 4:10 - Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses today.”
What does "Ruth 4:10" mean?
This verse, Ruth 4:10, is a crucial part of the climax of the Book of Ruth, where Boaz publicly declares his intention to redeem Naomi's family land and marry Ruth. Let's break down the meaning:
"Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have purchased to be my wife...": This is Boaz stating that he is taking Ruth as his wife. This is significant for several reasons:
Ruth was a Moabitess: Moabites were often looked down upon by Israelites. Boaz's willingness to marry her demonstrates his character and adherence to the spirit of the law (showing kindness and compassion to a foreigner in need).
Ruth was the widow of Mahlon: Mahlon was Naomi's deceased son. Boaz is explicitly connecting this marriage to the lineage and inheritance of Mahlon's family.
"Purchased": This refers to the levirate marriage custom and the redemption of property. Boaz is not buying Ruth as a slave, but rather acquiring the right and responsibility to marry her in order to continue the family line.
"...to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance...": This is the core purpose of the levirate marriage, as described in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. The purpose is to continue the deceased man's family line and ensure that his property remains within his family. When a woman's husband died without leaving a male heir, it was the duty of his brother (or, in this case, a close relative) to marry her and have a son who would be considered the legal heir of the deceased.
"...that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place.": This elaborates on the previous phrase. "The name of the dead" refers to his memory, legacy, and the continuity of his family. "Cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place" means that the man's lineage would disappear from the community. "The gate of his place" refers to the public life and records of the town; without a son, his name would eventually be forgotten in the public records.
"You are witnesses today.”: Boaz is making this declaration publicly before the elders and other members of the community. He is solidifying the agreement and ensuring that there will be witnesses to confirm that he has taken on these responsibilities.
In summary, this verse conveys the following key points:
Boaz is publicly committing to marrying Ruth.
He is doing so specifically to fulfill the levirate marriage obligation and redeem the family property of Naomi's deceased husband and sons.
His motivation is to ensure the continuity of the family line and preserve the memory of the deceased, preventing his name from being forgotten in the community.
He is doing so legally and publicly, with witnesses to the transaction.
This verse is a powerful statement of loyalty, compassion, and adherence to the principles of the law. It sets the stage for the birth of Obed, who will become the grandfather of King David, highlighting the significance of this seemingly small act of redemption in the larger story of Israel's history and the lineage of Jesus.