Ruth 4:13

ยถ So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.

So Boaz {H1162} took {H3947} Ruth {H7327}, and she was his wife {H802}: and when he went in {H935} unto her, the LORD {H3068} gave {H5414} her conception {H2032}, and she bare {H3205} a son {H1121}.

So Bo'az took Rut, and she became his wife. He had sexual relations with her, ADONAI enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and Jehovah gave her conception, and she bare a son.

Commentary

Context

Ruth 4:13 marks the climactic conclusion of the Book of Ruth's narrative, following the intricate legal proceedings at the city gate. Boaz, a wealthy and upright landowner, has successfully fulfilled the role of the kinsman-redeemer (Hebrew: goel). He acquired the right to redeem the land belonging to Naomi's deceased husband, Elimelech, and in doing so, took Ruth, Elimelech's Moabite daughter-in-law, as his wife. This verse signifies the consummation of their marriage and the immediate divine blessing upon their union, which was crucial for perpetuating the family line and preserving the inheritance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Providence: The most significant phrase in this verse is "the LORD gave her conception." This highlights that even in the natural act of marriage and procreation, God's hand is directly involved, orchestrating blessings and fulfilling His divine purposes. It underscores the biblical truth that children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3).
  • Redemption and Restoration: The marriage of Boaz and Ruth is the culmination of Ruth's journey from destitution, widowhood, and foreignness to a place of security, love, and blessing within Israel. The conception and birth of a son signify a complete restoration for Naomi's family line, reversing the tragedy of their earlier losses.
  • Covenant Faithfulness and Lineage: The birth of a son is not merely a personal blessing but a pivotal moment in salvation history. This child, Obed, becomes the father of Jesse, who is the father of David (Ruth 4:17). This lineage ultimately leads to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises through generations, even through unexpected individuals like Ruth, a Moabite woman (Matthew 1:5-6).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "went in unto her" is a common biblical euphemism for the consummation of marriage, emphasizing the intimate and covenantal nature of the marital union. The direct statement that "the LORD gave her conception" (Hebrew: ื•ึทื™ึดึผืชึตึผืŸ ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื” ืœึธื”ึผ ื”ึตืจึธื™ึนื•ืŸ - vayitten Yahweh lah herayon) leaves no room for doubt about the divine intervention. It's not merely a natural event but a miraculous blessing from God, especially significant given Ruth's previous status and the importance of perpetuating the family line.

Practical Application

Ruth 4:13 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • It reminds us of God's active involvement in the details of our lives, even the most personal and seemingly ordinary. His providence guides and blesses us beyond what we can see or plan.
  • The story demonstrates how God uses faithful, ordinary individuals and circumstances to accomplish His extraordinary, long-term plans, often in ways that far exceed our immediate understanding.
  • The inclusion of Ruth, a Moabite woman, into the Messianic lineage powerfully illustrates God's inclusive grace. His love and plan of salvation extend to all who turn to Him, regardless of their background or past.
  • It encourages trust in God's perfect timing and provision, knowing that He works all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 29:31 (6 votes)

    ยถ And when the LORD saw that Leah [was] hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel [was] barren.

  • Genesis 33:5 (6 votes)

    ยถ And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who [are] those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.

  • Ruth 3:11 (5 votes)

    And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou [art] a virtuous woman.

  • Psalms 127:3 (4 votes)

    Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.

  • Psalms 113:9 (3 votes)

    He maketh the barren woman to keep house, [and to be] a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

  • 1 Samuel 2:5 (3 votes)

    [They that were] full have hired out themselves for bread; and [they that were] hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

  • Genesis 30:22 (3 votes)

    And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.