RUTH CHAPTER 4 Boaz goeth up to the gate, calleth his kinsman;
inquires whether he would redeem and marry Ruth, RUTH 4:1. He
refuseth, RUTH 4:6. Boaz, the people witnessing and congratulating,
buyeth the inheritance, and marrieth Ruth, RUTH 4:9. She beareth Obed
the grandfather of David, RUTH 4:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE TOOK TWO MEN, to be umpires or witnesses between them; for though
two or three witnesses were sufficient, yet in weightier matters they
used more. And TEN was the usual number among the Jews, in causes of
matrimony and divorce, and translation of inheritances; who were both
judges of the causes,... [ Continue Reading ]
Both Naomi and Ruth had an interest in this land during their lives,
but he mentions only Naomi, partly because all was done by her
direction, to which Ruth wholly submitted herself; and partly lest the
mention of Ruth should raise a suspicion of the necessity of his
marrying Ruth, before he had giv... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE THE ELDERS OF MY PEOPLE; before this assembly, that it may be
legally and firmly made over to thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WIFE OF THE DEAD; according to the law, DEUTERONOMY 25:5 MATTHEW
22:24, &c. TO RAISE UP THE NAME OF THE DEAD; to revive his name, which
was lost and buried with his body, by raising up a seed to him, to be
called by his name.... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST I MAR MINE OWN INHERITANCE; either, first, Because having no
children of his own, he might have one, and but one, son by Ruth, who,
though he should carry away his inheritance, yet should not bear his
name, but the name of Ruth's husband; and so by preserving another
man's name, he should lose... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR TO CONFIRM ALL THINGS, i.e. in all alienation of lands. So that it
is no wonder if this ceremony differ a little from that DEUTERONOMY
25:9, because that concerned only one case, but this is more general.
Besides, he pleads not the command of God, but only ancient custom,
for this practice. A MA... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE GATE OF HIS PLACE, i.e. from among the inhabitants dwelling
within the gate of this city, which was Bethlehem-judah.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE RACHEL AND LIKE LEAH, amiable and fruitful. Those two are singled
out, partly because they were of a foreign and heathenish original,
and yet ingrafted into God's people, as Ruth also was; and partly
because of that singular fertility which God vouchsafed unto them
above their predecessors, Sar... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE THE HOUSE OF PHAREZ; as honourable and numerous as his family
was; whom, though he also was born of a stranger, God so far blessed,
that his family was one of the five families to which all the tribe of
Judah belonged, and the progenitor of the inhabitants of this city.... [ Continue Reading ]
BOAZ TOOK RUTH; which he might do, though she was a Moabite, because
the prohibition against marrying such is to be restrained to those who
continue in the heathenish estate, as is evident from the reason of
it; whereas Ruth was a sincere proselyte and convert to the God and
faith of Israel. HE WENT... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT A KINSMAN; which is understood, either, first, Of the son new
born. Or rather, secondly, Of Boaz; for the name of _goel_, which is
translated _kinsman_ or _redeemer_, is never, that I know of, given to
the child born, but always to the person begetting him of his
brother's or near kinsman's... [ Continue Reading ]
A RESTORER OF THY LIFE, i.e. of the comfort of thy life, which was in
a great measure dead and gone. HATH BORN HIM, to wit, a son; the
pronoun for the noun understood, which is frequent in the Hebrew
tongue. Or, _hath born to him_, i.e. to thy kinsman, to wit, a son,
which is easily understood; and... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
GAVE IT A NAME, i.e. they gave her advice about the name; for
otherwise they had no power or right to do so. OBED;_ a servant_, to
wit, to thee, to nourish, and comfort, and assist thee; which duty
children owe to their progenitors.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
How can this be a true genealogy, seeing by this means four persons
take up three hundred and eighty years, which were between Salmon and
David, and consequently every one of them must beget a son when he was
very old? ANSW.
1. It is not certain that each of these was the immediate parent of
him wh... [ Continue Reading ]