Ruth 4:11
What does Ruth 4:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 4:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 4:11 means
The elders and people gladly bear witness and speak blessing. They pray that the woman entering Boaz’s house be like Rachel and Leah, the mothers through whom God built the house of Israel. They also ask that Boaz act valiantly in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem. The community’s words honor both bride and groom, calling for fruitfulness and reputation consistent with covenant faithfulness. This blessing lifts the union beyond private happiness into God’s purposes for His people. The couple’s life together is to serve the strengthening of Israel’s household and the display of God’s gracious favor in their town.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. Jehovah make the woman that is come into thy house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Beth-lehem:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Beth–lehem:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. Jehovah make the woman that is come into thy house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Beth-lehem:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And all the people who were in the public place, and the responsible men, said, We are witnesses. May the Lord make this woman, who is about to come into your house, like Rachel and Leah, which two were the builders of the house of Israel: and may you have wealth in Ephrathah, and be great in Beth-lehem;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And all the people who <FI>are<Fi> in the gate say--also the elders--`Witnesses! Jehovah make the woman who is coming in unto thy house as Rachel and as Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and do thou virtuously in Ephrathah, and proclaim the Name in Beth-Lehem;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then all the people that were in the gate, and the ancients, answered: We are witnesses: The Lord make this woman who cometh into thy house, like Rachel, and Lia, who built up the house of Israel: that she may be an example of virtue in Ephrata, and may have a famous name in Bethlehem:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And all the people that were in the gate and the elders said, [We are] witnesses. Jehovah make the woman that cometh into thy house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel; and acquire power in Ephratah, and make thyself a name in Bethlehem;
Context
After Boaz’s public commitment, the community responds. Their blessing aligns marriage, family growth, and public standing with God’s work among His people. Mentioning Rachel and Leah looks back to Israel’s origins; “Ephrathah” and “Beth-lehem” locate the blessing in their present place. Another blessing will follow, invoking Perez, the ancestor of their clan. These prayers lead into the fulfillment scene, where the Lord grants conception and a son, showing that heaven hears and answers the people’s petitions.
v.10Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.
v.11This passage
v.12and 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 127:3
Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; Andthe fruit of the womb ishisreward.
- Deuteronomy 25:9
then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face; and she shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto the man that doth not build up his brother’s house.
- Genesis 29:32
And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Because Jehovah hath looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.
- Ruth 1:2
And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
- Micah 5:2
But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.
- Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman buildeth her house; But the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands.
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