Ruth 4:4 KJV,ASV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 4:1-8

Here, 1. Boaz calls a court immediately. It is probable he was himself one of the elders (or aldermen) of the city; for he was a mighty man of wealth. Perhaps he was father of the city, and sat chief; for he seems here to have gone up to the gate as one having authority, and not as a common person; like Job, Job 29:7-25 We cannot suppose him less than a magistrate in his city who was grandson to Nahshon, prince of Judah; and his lying at the end of a heap of corn in the threshing-floor the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:4

And I thought to advertise thee ,.... To give him notice of it; or "I said" F7 ואני אמרתי "et ego dixi", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; ; he said in his heart and mind, purposing to do it; or he said it to Ruth, promising her that he would do it: saying, buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people ; or before those that sat there, even the elders, as witnesses of the purchase: if thou wilt redeem it, redeem it : for it was redeemable by a near kinsman... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 4:4

I thought to advertise thee - Both Dr. Kennicott and Father Houbigant have noticed several corruptions in the pronouns of this and the following verses; and their criticisms have been confirmed by a great number of MSS. since collated. The text corrected reads thus: "And I said I will reveal this to thy ear, 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, tell me, that I may know; for there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:1-12

The bridal of Boaz and Ruth. I. THERE WERE SOME OBSTACLES IN THE WAY . There were none, indeed, in Boaz's heart; it was full of pure esteem and love for Ruth. There were none in his financial circumstances; he was able to provide amply for her comfort, and for all his own necessities and conveniences. There were none in his physical condition; he had been temperate in all things, and was in the enjoyment of health and strength. Neither were there any obstacles in Ruth's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:3-8

The goel. Every nation has its own domestic and social usages. Among those prevalent in Israel was the relationship of the goel . He was the redeemer, or the next kinsman of one deceased, whose duty it was to purchase an inheritance in danger of lapsing, or to redeem one lapsed. The duties were defined in the Levitical law. According to the custom and regulation known as Levirate, he was expected to marry the widow of the deceased, and to raise up seed unto the dead, in case no issue... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:4

And I said (to myself). There is little likelihood in the opinion of those who maintain, with Rosenmüller, that the expression, "I said," refers to a promise which Boaz had made to Ruth (see Ruth 3:13 ). It is a primitive phrase to denote internal resolution. There is a point where thought and speech coalesce. Our words are thoughts, and our thoughts are words. I will uncover thine ear, that is, "I will lift the locks of hair that may be covering the ear, so as to communicate something... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:4-6

Our own inheritance. "Lest I mar mine own inheritance." How many do this? They have noble inheritances, but in a multitude of ways they mar them. I. THERE IS THE INHERITANCE OF PHYSICAL HEALTH . Most precious; not to be gotten for fine gold. Yet how often it is injured by sloth and sin, by intemperance and lust, or by the overtaxed brain, and neglect of the simple economy of health. II. THERE IS THE INHERITANCE OF A GOOD NAME . This too is a priceless... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 4:4

See the margin; a phrase explained by the act of removing the end of the turban, or the hair, in order to whisper in the ear (see 1 Samuel 9:15 : 2 Samuel 7:27). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 4:4-5

Ruth 4:4-5. I thought to advertise thee I have had it in my mind to speak to thee about it. There is none to redeem it besides thee That is, thou hast the first right to do so; for it is plain Boaz had a right, but it was in the second place: and if he had refused, the next kinsman would have had the right, and so on. Thou must buy it also of Ruth According to the law, Deuteronomy 25:5. To raise up seed To revive his name, which was buried with his body, by raising up a seed to him to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:1-22

Boaz marries Ruth (4:1-22)Feeling the effects of the poverty of widowhood, Naomi decided to sell her late husband’s land. To prevent the land from passing out of the family, she had to ensure that it was bought (or redeemed) by the nearest relative (cf. Leviticus 25:23-28). In this case that person was the same one who had to produce through Ruth an heir who could carry on the names of the late Elimelech (Naomi’s husband) and Mahlon (Elimelech’s son and Ruth’s husband). But should such an heir... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 4:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 4:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:3-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:4-6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 4:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 4:4-5

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:1-22

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