Ruth 4:14
What does Ruth 4:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 4:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 4:14 means
The women bless Jehovah for not leaving Naomi without a near kinsman. In context, the child now born functions as a redeemer for Naomi—heir to the restored inheritance and source of future security. They pray his name be famous in Israel, recognizing that God has turned Naomi’s bitterness to blessing. The community sees the Lord’s hand in the entire process: providence led Ruth to Boaz, law guided redemption, and now the child embodies renewal. This is grace to Naomi through the faithfulness of Boaz and Ruth, and through the steadfast mercy of God who remembers the lowly.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the women said to Naomi, A blessing on the Lord, who has not let you be this day without a near relation, and may his name be great in Israel.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the women say unto Naomi, `Blessed <FI>is<Fi> Jehovah who hath not let a redeemer cease to thee to-day, and his name is proclaimed in Israel,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the women said to Noemi: Blessed be the Lord, who hath not suffered thy family to want a successor: that his name should be preserved in Israel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the women said to Naomi, Blessed be Jehovah who hath not left thee this day without one that has the right of redemption, and may his name be famous in Israel!
Context
With the son born, attention shifts to Naomi, whose loss began the story’s sorrow. The women interpret the birth through the lens of redemption and inheritance. They announce God’s kindness and ask for lasting renown for the child. The next verse expands their praise by describing the boy’s role in Naomi’s life and by commending Ruth’s love as exceeding even the cultural ideal of seven sons. The theme of reversal—empty to full—reaches its tender climax.
v.13So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and Jehovah gave her conception, and she bare a son.
v.14This passage
v.15And he shall be unto thee a restorer of life, and a nourisher of thine old age, for thy daughter-in-law, who loveth thee, who is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 1:5
and Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
- 1 Corinthians 12:26
And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth;
- Romans 12:15
Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.
- Ruth 4:21
and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
- Genesis 29:35
And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, This time will I praise Jehovah: therefore she called his name Judah; and she left off bearing.
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