Ruth 4:2
What does Ruth 4:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 4:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 4:2 means
Boaz assembles ten elders to sit as official witnesses. By doing so, he ensures transparency and permanence to whatever agreement follows. The presence of the elders confirms that what is about to happen is not merely a private arrangement but a community-sanctioned legal act. Boaz’s leadership is patient and accountable: he makes no move until the proper authorities are in place. Such care protects the vulnerable (Naomi and Ruth) and guards the redeemer from later dispute. In the law’s presence, personal desires are restrained and guided, so that love and duty flow together in righteousness and order.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then he got ten of the responsible men of the town, and said, Be seated here. And they took their seats.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he taketh ten men of the elders of the city, and saith, `Sit down here;' and they sit down.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Booz, taking ten men of the ancients of the city, said to them: Sit ye down here.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit down here. And they sat down.
Context
With the nearer kinsman seated, Boaz now secures a proper quorum of respected men to witness and confirm proceedings. This is the second step of formalizing redemption: establishing a legal court. The audience’s readiness—“And they sat down”—signals a case about to be tried. The next verses will present the matter first as a land redemption, then disclose the fuller obligation involving Ruth. The narrative intentionally builds suspense, as the decision’s consequences will affect Naomi’s future and Ruth’s hoped-for marriage.
v.1Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
v.2This passage
v.3And he said unto the near kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 6:12
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,
- Deuteronomy 29:10
Ye stand this day all of you before Jehovah your God; your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, even all the men of Israel,
- Proverbs 31:23
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
- Exodus 18:21
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
- 1 Kings 21:8
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, and that dwelt with Naboth.
- Deuteronomy 31:28
Assemble unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
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