Ruth 4

Ruth 4:1

TO the gate] The place used among the ancient for their assemblies, judicature and contracts.

and sate him down] To wit, expecting when the neerer kinsman to Ruth should come thither, or passe by.

Ho, such a one] The Hebrews here use two words, which have no proper signification, but seem to note a certain person whose name they knew not, or had forgotten, as we use to say, ho, such an one, or, do you hear, sir. So 2 Kings 6:8. ?1 Samuel 21:2.

Ruth 4:2

took ten elders] To wit, that they might be judges or witnesses of their proceedings.

Ruth 4:3

selleth a parcell of land] To wit, which was Mahlons, and is divolved upon Ruth his widow, and is now upon sale, for her own, and her mothers maintenance, being in poverty; by which ambiguous speech he soundeth his minde, before he would speak of his marrying with Ruth, Leviticus 25:25.

our brother] That is, our neer kinsman in blood.

Ruth 4:4

I thought to advertise thee] Heb. said I will reveal in thine ear.

before the inhabitants] That is, in a legall manner.

may know] That is, what I have to do, and how to proceed.

Ruth 4:5

of Ruth] Who had right unto it for her maintenance, till her husbands kinsman marrying her, had restored and preferred his name by raising seed unto him, who was to injoy it afterwards, Deuteronomy 25:5.

Ruth 4:6

lest I marre mine own inheritance] For if he were a single man, then if he should marry Ruth, and have issue, onely one childe, then this bearing his kinsmans name deceased, and inheriting his land, he should want an heir (to bear his own name) begotten by himself, which was Onans case, Genesis 38:8. and now Mahlons; or if he were a widower (as it is more probable) and had already divers children, and should have likewise divers more by Ruth, then he should impair his inheritance for his former children, by having it divided among so many.

my right] That is, the right which I have as next kinsman, I renounce and resigne it unto thee.

Ruth 4:7

the manner] Deut. 25. 7, 9. That is, the ceremony that was used legally to ratifie it.

concerning changing] That is, publikely performed in a legall way.

a man] That is, he who did alienate any thing from himself.

plucked off his shoe] In token that he was willing to depart from, and alienate his right and title.

and gave it to his neighbour] To wit, the redeemer, to whom it was alienated and yeelded over.

a testimony] That is, was entred upon record, that the redeemer should ever hold his right to the thing redeemed; and he that had yeelded it over, should never again challenge it.

Ruth 4:8

drew off his shoe] The ceremony of reproach, to wit, spitting, appointed by the law, Deuteronomy 25:9. was here omitted or remitted, either now being out of use, or because Ruth was not present, having referred the managing of the whole businesse to Boaz.

Ruth 4:10

the gate of his place] From the citizens of his city, who meet in the gate.

Ruth 4:11

like Rachel and Leah] That is, who leaving their own countrey, and following Jacob, as now Ruth hath done, have by bearing of children, multiplyed Jacobs posterity.

do thou worthily] Or, get thee riches, or, power; or, make thee grow mighty and full of riches, which in this marriage with Ruth, thou hast wholly neglected.

in Ephratah] Which is all one with Bethelem. See Chap. 1. 2.

be famous] Heb. proclaim thy name: By having a numerous posterity to continue thy name, and make thee famous and renowned.

Ruth 4:12

whom Tamar bare unto Judah] Genesis 38:29. 1 Chro. 2. 4. Matthew 1:3. And who was the progenitour of Boaz, and he of Christ by lineall descent; which is here purposely inserted by the holy Ghost, to shew Christs genealogy according to the flesh, and that according to the promise, he came out of the tribe of Judah, Genesis 49:10.

Ruth 4:13

went in unto her] A modest phrase, signifying his companying with her as his wife. See Genesis 6:4.

Ruth 4:14

left thee] Heb. caused to cease unto thee.

kinsman] Or, redeemer.

that nis name] That is, the name of this pious redeemer, who hath raised up seed to his kinsman deceased; or the name of thy son, though he died childlesse, in this son now born unto him.

Ruth 4:15

a restorer of thy life] That is, he shall comfort and revive thee, restoring to thee (as it were) a new life. See Psalms 19:8. 23. 3. Lamentations 1:11.

a nourisher] Heb. to nourish.

thine old age] Heb. thy gray hairs.

then seven sons] That is, then many sons. See Genesis 4:15. 1 Samuel 2:5.

Ruth 4:16

laid it in her bosome] That is, did tenderly love and cherish it, as its dry nurse.

Ruth 4:17

neighbours gave it] That is, perswaded Naomi, or the childes parents, to give it this name.

Obed] That is, serving, in respect of that service, which he should afterwards perform to old Naomi, of which they spoke, vers. 15.

Ruth 4:18

the generations] That is, the posterity which descended of Pharez.

Pharez begat Hezron] 1 Chronicles 2:4. Matthew 1:3.

Ruth 4:20

Salmon] Or, Salmah.