Ruth 4:13
What does Ruth 4:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 4:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 4:13 means
Boaz marries Ruth, and the union is consummated. The text plainly credits Jehovah with giving conception, emphasizing that children are a gracious gift from God. Ruth, long barren in Moab, now bears a son in the promised land, underscoring divine favor. This child is not merely a comfort to the couple; he represents God’s redemptive answer to Naomi’s emptiness and the preservation of Mahlon’s name. The Lord brings joy out of sorrow, fullness out of famine, and legacy out of loss. The marriage is lawful, loving, and fruitful—exactly the outcome the elders prayed for and God has now supplied.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and Jehovah gave her conception, and she bare a son.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and Jehovah gave her conception, and she bare a son.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and the Lord made her with child and she gave birth to a son.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Boaz taketh Ruth, and she becometh his wife, and he goeth in unto her, and Jehovah giveth to her conception, and she beareth a son.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Booz therefore took Ruth, and married her: and went in unto her, and the Lord gave her to conceive, and to bear a son.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and Jehovah gave her conception, and she bore a son.
Context
Following the blessings, the narrative immediately shows their fulfillment: the marriage is formed and the Lord grants a son. This closes the legal thread and begins the celebratory conclusion. Next, the women of the town will bless Jehovah for providing a redeemer for Naomi and will praise Ruth’s surpassing devotion. The flow turns from public courtroom to family home, from promises made to promises kept, from hope spoken to hope cradled.
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.
v.13This passage
v.14And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not left thee this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ruth 4:12
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.
- Ruth 3:11
And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou sayest; for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a worthy woman.
- Genesis 29:31
And Jehovah saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
- Psalms 113:9
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, And to bea joyful mother of children. Praise ye Jehovah.
- Genesis 30:2
And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
- 1 Samuel 2:5
They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; And they that were hungry have ceasedto hunger: Yea, the barren hath borne seven; And she that hath many children languisheth.
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