Ruth 4:7-22 ▼

7 Now in former times in Israel (he wrestles with God), concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel.

8 So the kinsman-redeemer removed his sandal and said to Boaz (fleetness), “Buy it for yourself.”

9 At this, Boaz (fleetness) said to the elders and all the people, “You⁺ are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi (my delight) all that belonged to Elimelech (my God is king), Chilion (pining), and Mahlon (sick).

10 Moreover, I have acquired Ruth (friendship) the Moabitess (from father: what father?), Mahlon’s (sick) widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You⁺ are witnesses today.”

11 “We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD {YHWH} make the woman entering your home like Rachel (little lamb) and Leah (weary), who together built up the house of Israel (he wrestles with God). May you be prosperous in Ephrathah (place of fruitfulness) and famous in Bethlehem (house of bread).

12 And may your house become like the house of Perez (breaking out), whom Tamar (palm-tree) bore to Judah (praised), because of the offspring the LORD {YHWH} will give you by this young woman.”

13 So Boaz (fleetness) took Ruth (friendship), and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD {YHWH} enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

14 Then the women said to Naomi (my delight), “Blessed be the LORD {YHWH}, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous in Israel (he wrestles with God).

15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

16 And Naomi (my delight) took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him.

17 The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi (my delight),” and they named him Obed (serving). He became the father of Jesse (I possess), the father of David (beloved).

18 Now these are the generations of Perez (breaking out): Perez was the father of Hezron (surrounded by a wall),

19 Hezron (surrounded by a wall) was the father of Ram (exalted), Ram was the father of Amminadab (my kinsman is noble),

20 Amminadab (my kinsman is noble) was the father of Nahshon (enchanter), Nahshon was the father of Salmon (garment),

21 Salmon (garment) was the father of Boaz (fleetness), Boaz was the father of Obed (serving),

22 Obed (serving) was the father of Jesse (I possess), and Jesse was the father of David (beloved).