Ruth 4:12

And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.

And let thy house {H1004} be like the house {H1004} of Pharez {H6557}, whom Tamar {H8559} bare {H3205} unto Judah {H3063}, of the seed {H2233} which the LORD {H3068} shall give {H5414} thee of this young woman {H5291}.

May your house, because of the seed ADONAI will give you from this young woman, become like the house of Peretz, whom Tamar bore to Y'hudah."

And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.”

and let thy house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which Jehovah shall give thee of this young woman.

Commentary

Context of Ruth 4:12

Ruth 4:12 is a pivotal verse in the Book of Ruth, occurring at the city gate of Bethlehem where legal and social matters were publicly conducted. Boaz has just completed the process of redeeming the land of Elimelech and taking Ruth, the Moabite widow, as his wife. This verse is part of the public blessing pronounced upon their union by the elders and all the people present, signifying their approval and hopeful anticipation for the new family's future.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Lineage and Legacy: The primary focus of the blessing is on the continuation and establishment of Boaz's "house" or family line. The elders desire for their union to be fruitful and honored, ensuring a lasting legacy.
  • Divine Providence: The phrase "the seed which the LORD shall give thee" underscores God's active role in providing offspring and ensuring the continuation of the family line. This highlights that their fruitfulness would be a direct blessing from God.
  • Redemption and Restoration: This marriage is the culmination of the book's themes of redemption, bringing Ruth and Naomi out of destitution and securing the family name of Elimelech.
  • Messianic Foreshadowing: The specific invocation of Pharez and Judah is profoundly significant, hinting at a future lineage of immense importance.

Linguistic Insights

The term "house" (Hebrew: bayit) in this context refers not merely to a physical dwelling but to a household, family, or even a dynasty. It signifies the continuation of a family line and its legacy. The word "seed" (Hebrew: zera') commonly refers to offspring or descendants, emphasizing the importance of progeny for the continuation of the family.

The Significance of Pharez and Tamar

The elders' invocation to "let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah" is crucial. The story of Tamar and Pharez in Genesis 38 describes an unconventional, yet divinely purposed, beginning to a crucial lineage within the tribe of Judah. Tamar, much like Ruth, was a Gentile woman who entered the line of promise through extraordinary circumstances, ensuring the continuation of Judah's 'seed' when it seemed threatened.

This comparison serves as a powerful validation for Ruth, a Moabite woman. It assures her that her union with Boaz, though unconventional in some aspects (as she was a foreigner and a widow entering the family through a kinsman-redeemer), would be equally blessed and contribute significantly to a celebrated lineage.

Messianic Connection

This lineage is critical because Pharez is a direct ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. The elders' blessing, therefore, extends beyond Boaz and Ruth, unknowingly participating in the divine plan for the Messiah's ancestry. It highlights God's sovereign hand working through human circumstances, even those that seem irregular, to bring about His ultimate purposes.

Practical Application

Ruth 4:12 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • God's Sovereignty in Unexpected Ways: It reminds us that God works through diverse and sometimes unexpected individuals and circumstances to fulfill His purposes. Just as He used Tamar and Ruth, He can use anyone who is faithful to Him.
  • The Value of Community Affirmation: The public blessing by the elders highlights the importance of community and the power of their prayers and affirmations over significant life events, especially marriage and family.
  • Faithfulness and Future Hope: The verse speaks to the enduring promise of God's faithfulness to His people, ensuring that even in times of loss and uncertainty, there is hope for restoration and the continuation of His redemptive plan.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 38:29 (5 votes)

    And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? [this] breach [be] upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.

  • 1 Samuel 2:20 (4 votes)

    And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.

  • 1 Chronicles 2:4 (4 votes)

    And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah [were] five.

  • Matthew 1:3 (3 votes)

    And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

  • Genesis 46:12 (3 votes)

    And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.

  • Numbers 26:20 (2 votes)

    And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.

  • Numbers 26:22 (2 votes)

    These [are] the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.