Ruth 4:10
Moreover 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.
Ruth 4:10 · King James Version
Meaning
When Boaz speaks these words in the book of Ruth, he is declaring his intention to marry Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon. In ancient Israelite culture, it was common for a man to marry the widow of a close relative in order to ensure that the deceased's name and inheritance would be preserved. By marrying Ruth, Boaz is fulfilling his duty as a kinsman-redeemer, taking on the responsibility of caring for her and continuing the lineage of the deceased Mahlon.
Boaz's words also have wider implications beyond his personal commitment to Ruth. By marrying her and raising up offspring in Mahlon's name, he is ensuring that Mahlon's lineage will continue and that his name will not be forgotten. This act of redemption and preservation of heritage was important in ancient Israelite society, where family ties and ancestral inheritance held great significance.
By declaring to the witnesses present that he has purchased Ruth to be his wife, Boaz is making a public statement of his commitment to fulfill his role as a kinsman-redeemer. This act of marrying Ruth goes beyond personal affection or benefit; it is a deliberate and conscious choice to honor the memory and legacy of the dead, ensuring that their name will endure among their brethren and at the gate of their place.
Theological Overview
One key theological interpretation of this verse is the concept of redemption and loyalty. Boaz's act of redeeming Ruth, a Moabite widow, demonstrates his commitment to both the memory of Mahlon, Ruth's deceased husband, and to Ruth herself. In ancient Israelite society, the practice of levirate marriage, where a brother would marry the widow of his deceased brother to continue his family line, was a way to ensure that the deceased's name and inheritance were preserved. By marrying Ruth, Boaz is fulfilling his duty to his kinsman Mahlon and ensuring that his name is not forgotten. This act of redemption also foreshadows the ultimate act of redemption through the lineage of Boaz and Ruth, as their great-grandson King David would eventually lead to the coming of Jesus Christ, who is often seen as the ultimate redeemer in Christian theology.
Ruth 4:10 in other translations
American Standard Version
Moreover 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.
World English Bible
Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead not be cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses this day.”
Douay-Rheims
And have taken to wife Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of Mahalon, to raise up the name of the deceased in his inheritance lest his name be cut off, from among his family and his brethren and his people. You, I say, are witnesses of this thing.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And moreouer, Ruth the Moabitesse the wife of Mahlon, haue I bought to be my wife, to stirre vp the name of the dead vpon his inheritance, and that the name of the dead be not put out from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.