Ruth 4:17 - The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, “A son is born to Naomi”. They named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
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What does "Ruth 4:17" mean?
This verse, Ruth 4:17, is the climax of the Book of Ruth and carries significant meaning:
"The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, 'A son is born to Naomi'": This is the key point. Although Ruth is the biological mother of Obed, the community recognizes this child as belonging to Naomi. Naomi had lost her husband and both her sons. In the ancient world, this meant she was vulnerable and without a future. The birth of Obed, through the kinsman-redeemer Boaz and the Moabite Ruth, restores Naomi's hope and provides her with security and lineage. The neighbors understand that this child represents the continuation of Naomi's family line and her legacy. This shows how communal support and recognition was important. It's like they were adopting the child into Naomi's lineage symbolically.
"They named him Obed": The name "Obed" means "servant" or "worshiper." This name reflects the child's destiny and the role he will play in serving God's plan.
"He is the father of Jesse, the father of David": This is the most important line in the verse in terms of the larger biblical narrative. It establishes Obed as the grandfather of King David. This lineage places the story of Ruth and Boaz within the direct ancestry of Israel's greatest king and, ultimately, connects to the messianic line of Jesus. This emphasizes that God's providence works through unexpected people (like Ruth, a Moabite) and situations to fulfill his purposes.
In essence, this verse signifies:
Restoration and Redemption: Naomi's loss is restored, and she is redeemed from her desolate state through the birth of Obed.
Lineage and Legacy: The verse secures Naomi's family line and connects it to the royal line of David, fulfilling the promise of a future for her.
God's Providence: It demonstrates God's sovereign hand in working through ordinary people and circumstances to accomplish his divine plan.
Inclusion: It highlights the inclusion of a Moabite woman (Ruth) in the lineage of the Messiah, showcasing God's universal love and acceptance.
Community: Shows the importance of communal support and solidarity, and how the community played a pivotal role in Naomi's restoration.
So, Ruth 4:17 is not just the end of a beautiful love story, but also a crucial link in the genealogy of Jesus, demonstrating God's faithful commitment to his promises and his unexpected ways of working through history.
Ruth 4:17 - The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, “A son is born to Naomi”. They named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
What does "Ruth 4:17" mean?
This verse, Ruth 4:17, is the climax of the Book of Ruth and carries significant meaning:
"The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, 'A son is born to Naomi'": This is the key point. Although Ruth is the biological mother of Obed, the community recognizes this child as belonging to Naomi. Naomi had lost her husband and both her sons. In the ancient world, this meant she was vulnerable and without a future. The birth of Obed, through the kinsman-redeemer Boaz and the Moabite Ruth, restores Naomi's hope and provides her with security and lineage. The neighbors understand that this child represents the continuation of Naomi's family line and her legacy. This shows how communal support and recognition was important. It's like they were adopting the child into Naomi's lineage symbolically.
"They named him Obed": The name "Obed" means "servant" or "worshiper." This name reflects the child's destiny and the role he will play in serving God's plan.
"He is the father of Jesse, the father of David": This is the most important line in the verse in terms of the larger biblical narrative. It establishes Obed as the grandfather of King David. This lineage places the story of Ruth and Boaz within the direct ancestry of Israel's greatest king and, ultimately, connects to the messianic line of Jesus. This emphasizes that God's providence works through unexpected people (like Ruth, a Moabite) and situations to fulfill his purposes.
In essence, this verse signifies:
Restoration and Redemption: Naomi's loss is restored, and she is redeemed from her desolate state through the birth of Obed.
Lineage and Legacy: The verse secures Naomi's family line and connects it to the royal line of David, fulfilling the promise of a future for her.
God's Providence: It demonstrates God's sovereign hand in working through ordinary people and circumstances to accomplish his divine plan.
Inclusion: It highlights the inclusion of a Moabite woman (Ruth) in the lineage of the Messiah, showcasing God's universal love and acceptance.
Community: Shows the importance of communal support and solidarity, and how the community played a pivotal role in Naomi's restoration.
So, Ruth 4:17 is not just the end of a beautiful love story, but also a crucial link in the genealogy of Jesus, demonstrating God's faithful commitment to his promises and his unexpected ways of working through history.