Ruth 4:9

KJV

¶ And Boaz said unto the elders, and [unto] all the people, Ye [are] witnesses this day, that I have bought all that [was] Elimelech's, and all that [was] Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Boaz {H1162} said {H559} unto the elders {H2205}, and unto all the people {H5971}, Ye are witnesses {H5707} this day {H3117}, that I have bought {H7069} all that was Elimelech's {H458}, and all that was Chilion's {H3630} and Mahlon's {H4248}, of the hand {H3027} of Naomi {H5281}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Bo'az addressed the leaders and all the people: "You are witnesses today that I am purchasing from Na'omi all that belonged to Elimelekh and all that belonged to Kilyon and Machlon.

Berean Standard Bible

At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon.

American Standard Version

And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ruth 4:9 captures the pivotal moment at the Bethlehem city gate where Boaz publicly declares his intent to redeem the family property of Elimelech, Naomi's deceased husband, and his sons Chilion and Mahlon. Addressing the elders and all the gathered people, Boaz formally announces his acquisition of the land from Naomi's hand, establishing his legal right and commitment as the kinsman-redeemer. This public declaration is a crucial step in the narrative, ensuring the restoration of the family's lineage and property, setting the stage for the book's redemptive climax.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the legal proceedings initiated at the city gate in [Ruth 4:1](/ruth/4-1 "Ruth 4:1 - Boaz at the City Gate"). Following the unnamed closer kinsman's refusal to exercise his right of redemption due to the potential encumbrance on his own inheritance ([Ruth 4:6](/ruth/4-6 "Ruth 4:6 - The Kinsman's Refusal")), Boaz immediately steps forward. Verse 9 represents his formal, public acceptance of the responsibility that the other kinsman declined. It directly precedes his declaration in [Ruth 4:10](/ruth/4-10 "Ruth 4:10 - Boaz Takes Ruth as Wife") to also acquire Ruth as his wife, thereby raising up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, fulfilling the levirate aspects of the kinsman-redeemer's role. The entire scene at the gate, spanning [Ruth 4:1-12](/ruth/4 "Ruth 4 - Boaz Redeems Ruth"), is a carefully constructed legal drama that culminates in this public pronouncement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city gate in ancient Israel was far more than an entrance or exit; it functioned as the primary civic and judicial center. It was the place where legal transactions were finalized, disputes settled, and public announcements made, all under the watchful eyes of the community's elders and citizens. This public setting ensured transparency, accountability, and the legal validity of agreements, as witnessed by the presence of "elders" (זְקֵנִים, *z^eqenim*) and "all the people." The transaction itself relates to the intricate laws of land redemption and levirate marriage, primarily found in [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - Laws of Jubilee and Redemption") and [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5 "Deuteronomy 25:5-10 - Levirate Marriage"). The concept of the *go'el* (kinsman-redeemer) was vital for preserving family lineage, property, and dignity, especially for widows and the vulnerable, as Naomi and Ruth were. Boaz's actions here are a faithful adherence to these ancient covenantal obligations, reflecting the societal values of justice, compassion, and the preservation of family identity.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by this verse is **Redemption**. Boaz's declaration is the active fulfillment of the kinsman-redeemer's role, not just in theory but in concrete action. This act of "buying" back the land ensures that Elimelech's family heritage is not lost, providing economic security for Naomi and a foundation for Ruth's future. Another prominent theme is **Public Witness and Legal Integrity**. The emphasis on "Ye are witnesses this day" highlights the importance of community validation for legal transactions in ancient Israel, ensuring the legitimacy and enforceability of the agreement. This public covenant-making reflects a society where agreements were made before God and man. Furthermore, the verse contributes to the overarching theme of **God's Providence and Covenant Faithfulness**. While Boaz acts, his actions are implicitly guided by divine providence, demonstrating how God works through faithful individuals to restore hope and secure the future of His people, ultimately pointing towards the lineage of David and, ultimately, the Messiah. This act of redemption is a testament to the Lord's kindness, as seen in [Ruth 2:20](/ruth/2-20 "Ruth 2:20 - Boaz, a Kinsman-Redeemer").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bought (Hebrew, _qanah'_):** The Hebrew verb קָנָה (*qanah*) signifies "to acquire," "to buy," or "to obtain." In this legal context, it specifically denotes a formal acquisition through a transaction, involving payment or agreement. It implies a transfer of ownership and rights. This is not merely a charitable act, but a legally binding purchase, reinforcing the integrity of Boaz's commitment and the formal nature of the proceedings at the gate. The use of *qanah* here is crucial as it establishes the legal foundation for all subsequent actions, particularly Boaz's right to marry Ruth and perpetuate the family line.
* **witnesses (Hebrew, _‘edim'_):** The Hebrew word עֵדִים (*‘edim*), the plural of *‘ed*, means "witnesses." Their presence was indispensable for validating any legal transaction in ancient Israel. They served to confirm the facts of the agreement, ensuring its legitimacy and providing a record for future reference. The public declaration "Ye are witnesses this day" transforms the gathered elders and people into official attestors of Boaz's solemn commitment, underscoring the transparency and binding nature of the agreement. Their testimony would prevent future disputes and uphold the integrity of the community's legal system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Boaz said unto the elders, and [unto] all the people,"**: This opening clause establishes the formal setting and the audience for Boaz's declaration. The "elders" represent the judicial authority and leadership of Bethlehem, while "all the people" signify the broader community, ensuring that the transaction is publicly known and legally recognized by the entire town. This public address underscores the transparency and gravity of the legal proceedings taking place at the city gate.
* **"Ye [are] witnesses this day,"**: This phrase is a direct appeal to the assembled community to serve as legal witnesses. It confirms that the subsequent declaration is a solemn, binding legal act, not a private arrangement. The emphasis on "this day" highlights the immediate and present nature of their witnessing, making the transaction effective from that moment forward and legally verifiable by those present.
* **"that I have bought all that [was] Elimelech's, and all that [was] Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi."**: This is the core of Boaz's declaration. He explicitly states his acquisition of the land that belonged to Naomi's deceased husband, Elimelech, and her two deceased sons, Chilion and Mahlon. The phrase "of the hand of Naomi" indicates that Naomi, as the surviving heir (or one with the right to sell), was the one from whom the property was acquired. This act of purchase secures the family's inheritance, preventing its permanent loss and ensuring its return to the family line, thereby fulfilling a key aspect of the kinsman-redeemer's duty.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Legal Formalism** and **Public Declaration**. The setting at the city gate, the direct address to the "elders" and "all the people," and the explicit call for them to be "witnesses" are all elements of a formal legal proceeding. The language used, such as "bought" and the naming of the deceased, is precise and transactional, typical of ancient Near Eastern legal documents or oral contracts. This **Legal Formalism** underscores the binding nature of Boaz's commitment and the meticulous adherence to Israelite law regarding land redemption and family lineage. The entire scene is a **Public Declaration**, emphasizing transparency and community accountability, ensuring that the agreement is widely known and cannot be easily disputed later. This public nature also serves to highlight Boaz's integrity and his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities before the entire community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ruth 4:9 is a profound theological statement wrapped in a legal transaction. It highlights God's faithfulness working through human instruments to bring about redemption and restoration. Boaz's willingness to "buy" the property and later, to "buy" Ruth, reflects the divine principle of redemption, where something lost or alienated is recovered through a costly act. This act of redemption is not merely economic but deeply spiritual, ensuring the continuation of a lineage that will ultimately lead to King David and, by extension, the Messiah. It underscores the theme that even in the midst of personal tragedy and loss, God's providential hand is at work, orchestrating events to fulfill His larger redemptive plan, demonstrating His care for the vulnerable and His commitment to His covenant promises.

* [Leviticus 25:25](/leviticus/25-25 "Leviticus 25:25 - Law of the Kinsman-Redeemer")
* [Jeremiah 32:6-15](/jeremiah/32-6 "Jeremiah 32:6-15 - Jeremiah's Purchase of a Field")
* [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Boaz's public declaration in Ruth 4:9 is a powerful testament to integrity, faithfulness, and the selfless fulfillment of covenantal obligations. In a world often characterized by self-interest and private dealings, Boaz's actions stand out as a model of transparent and community-oriented commitment. For believers today, this narrative encourages us to live lives of integrity, where our words align with our actions, and our commitments are honored, not just in private but also before the watching world. It reminds us that our faith is not merely a private affair but has public implications, calling us to embody God's justice, compassion, and faithfulness in our daily interactions and legal dealings. Furthermore, Boaz's willingness to embrace a costly responsibility for the sake of another's welfare serves as a profound example of sacrificial love and a tangible expression of God's redemptive work through human agents. We are called to be instruments of God's restoration in our communities, seeking to bring hope and healing to those who are vulnerable or in need, just as Boaz did for Naomi and Ruth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I called to act with greater transparency and integrity, especially in my commitments?**
* **How can I, like Boaz, embrace costly responsibilities for the well-being of others, reflecting God's redemptive love?**
* **What does Boaz's public declaration teach me about the importance of community witness and accountability in my own spiritual walk?**

### FAQ

**Why was it necessary for Boaz to make this declaration publicly at the city gate?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, the city gate served as the primary legal and administrative hub of the community. All significant transactions, legal judgments, and public declarations were conducted there to ensure transparency, accountability, and legal validity. The presence of the "elders" (the town's judicial authorities) and "all the people" meant that the agreement was witnessed by the entire community, making it legally binding and preventing future disputes. This public setting provided an official record and communal endorsement of Boaz's commitment to redeem the land and lineage, as seen in similar public land transactions like the one in [Jeremiah 32:6-15](/jeremiah/32-6 "Jeremiah 32:6-15 - Jeremiah's Purchase of a Field").

**What was the significance of Boaz "buying" the land from Naomi's hand?**

Answer: The act of "buying" (Hebrew: *qanah*) the land from Naomi's hand was a formal legal acquisition. It meant that Boaz was taking ownership of the property that belonged to Elimelech and his sons, which had been alienated due to their deaths and Naomi's subsequent poverty. This purchase was a crucial step in fulfilling the role of the kinsman-redeemer (*go'el*), whose responsibility included restoring family property to its original lineage. By purchasing it, Boaz ensured the land would remain within Elimelech's family line, providing economic security for Naomi and setting the stage for the continuation of the family name through Ruth, as explained more fully in [Ruth 4:10](/ruth/4-10 "Ruth 4:10 - Boaz Takes Ruth as Wife").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ruth 4:9, with Boaz's public declaration of redemption, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Boaz, as the kinsman-redeemer, willingly steps forward to "buy back" what was lost—the land and the hope of a continuing lineage for Elimelech's family. This costly act of acquisition, made publicly before witnesses, mirrors Christ's work on the cross. Just as Boaz paid a price to redeem the property and secure the future of Naomi and Ruth, Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price—His own life—to redeem humanity from the slavery of sin and death ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed with Precious Blood")). He "bought" us back, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with His precious blood, making us His own possession ([1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - Bought with a Price")). This divine transaction, publicly witnessed by the cosmos, ensures our spiritual inheritance and secures our place within God's family, fulfilling the grandest act of redemption in cosmic history ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood")). Boaz's integrity and selfless commitment at the city gate serve as a beautiful type of our Lord, who, through His public sacrifice, declared His claim over us, bringing us into His eternal family and securing our future.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 32:10

And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed [it], and took witnesses, and weighed [him] the money in the balances.

Jeremiah 32:12

And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's [son], and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.

Genesis 23:16

¶ And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current [money] with the merchant.

Genesis 23:18

Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.