Ruth 4:17

And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he [is] the father of Jesse, the father of David.

And the women her neighbours {H7934} gave {H7121} it a name {H8034}, saying {H559}, There is a son {H1121} born {H3205} to Naomi {H5281}; and they called {H7121} his name {H8034} Obed {H5744}: he is the father {H1} of Jesse {H3448}, the father {H1} of David {H1732}.

The women who were her neighbors gave it a name; they said, "A son has been born to Na'omi," and called it 'Oved. He was the father of Yishai the father of David.

The neighbor women said, โ€œA son has been born to Naomi,โ€ and they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Commentary

Ruth 4:17 marks a pivotal moment in the book, concluding the narrative of Ruth and Naomi with a profound message of restoration and divine providence. After the marriage of Ruth to Boaz and the redemption of Elimelech's land, this verse records the birth of their son and his crucial role in the lineage of Israel's greatest king.

Context

Following the joyful union of Ruth and Boaz, and the successful legal redemption witnessed by the elders (see Ruth 4:9-10), the community celebrates the birth of their child. The neighbors, who had previously lamented Naomi's bitter return from Moab (as seen in Ruth 1:20-21), now witness her complete restoration. They actively participate in this joy by naming the child, signifying communal affirmation and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Restoration: The birth of Obed is the culmination of God's faithful hand guiding the lives of Ruth and Naomi. What began with loss and despair in Moab transforms into joy and abundance in Bethlehem, illustrating God's ability to bring beauty from ashes and restore what was lost.
  • The Lineage of David and the Messiah: This verse explicitly connects Obed to Jesse, the father of David. This seemingly simple statement is incredibly significant, as it places Ruth, a Moabite woman, firmly within the ancestral line of King David and, ultimately, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This highlights God's inclusive plan of salvation and His work through unexpected individuals.
  • Community and Blessing: The involvement of the neighbor women in naming Obed underscores the importance of community support and shared joy in biblical times. Their declaration, "There is a son born to Naomi," emphasizes the child's significance not just to Ruth and Boaz, but as a source of renewed hope and blessing for Naomi herself.

Linguistic Insights

The name Obed (ืขื•ึนื‘ึตื“, โ€˜Oved) is derived from a Hebrew root meaning "to serve" or "to worship." This name might reflect the hope that the child would grow up to serve God faithfully, or perhaps it subtly points to his future role in serving God's grand plan by being an ancestor to King David. The name Naomi (ื ึธืขึณืžึดื™, Naโ€™omi) means "my pleasantness," highlighting the complete reversal from her earlier self-identification as "Mara" (bitter) in Ruth 1:20.

Practical Application

Ruth 4:17 reminds us that even in periods of hardship and loss, God is at work, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. Naomiโ€™s journey from bitterness to blessing through the birth of Obed serves as a powerful testament to Godโ€™s redemptive power. It encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that He can bring forth new life and purpose even from seemingly barren situations. Furthermore, the inclusion of Ruth in the Messianic lineage reminds us that God's plan often involves unexpected people and circumstances, demonstrating His boundless grace and sovereignty over all history.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Lineage of David: How a Moabite Became Jesus' Ancestor Ruth and Boaz: A Kinsman-Redeemer Love Story Naomi: From Bitterness to Blessing The Story of Ruth and Naomi: Loyalty in Loss Boaz: The Kinsman-Redeemer

Cross-References

  • Luke 1:58

    And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

  • Luke 1:63

    And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
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