Ruth 4:16
What does Ruth 4:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 4:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 4:16 means
Naomi takes the child, holds him close, and becomes nurse to him. This tender picture completes Naomi’s journey from emptiness to fullness. Her arms, once bereaved, now cradle the promise of her family’s tomorrow. Becoming a nurse suggests a daily, intimate role in the child’s early life, knitting grandparent and grandson together. The redemption arranged at the city gate now settles into household rhythms of care and love. God’s providence is not only public and legal; it is personal and nurturing, restoring joy to a bitter heart and weaving a future through the hands of a grandmother.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Naomi took the child and put her arms round it, and she took care of it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Naomi taketh the lad, and layeth him in her bosom, and is to him for a nurse;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Noemi taking the child, laid it in her bosom, and she carried it, and was a nurse unto it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse to it.
Context
After the community’s blessing, the focus narrows to Naomi’s personal restoration. The legal proceedings and divine provision culminate in this quiet domestic scene. Next, the neighbors will name the child and identify his place in Israel’s story. Their words will lift this household joy onto the larger stage of national history by connecting Obed to Jesse and to David, preparing for the genealogy that concludes the book.
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.
v.16This passage
v.17And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
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