Boaz Marries Ruth

Boaz went to the town gate and sat down there. When the nearer family redeemer passed by, Boaz called him over to sit down. Then Boaz asked ten elders of the city to sit with them, so the matter could be heard before witnesses.

Boaz explained that Naomi was selling the land that had belonged to Elimelech. He told the man that he had the first right to redeem it, and at first the man agreed. But Boaz also explained that taking the field meant taking Ruth the Moabite, the wife of the dead, so the dead man’s name would continue with his inheritance.

Then the nearer redeemer said he could not do it, because it might endanger his own inheritance. So he gave Boaz the right to redeem. In those days, people confirmed such agreements in Israel with a sandal. The man took off his sandal in front of everyone there.

Boaz announced to the elders and all the people that they were witnesses. He had bought what belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon from Naomi, and he was taking Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s wife, as his wife, so the dead man’s name would not disappear from among his family and from his place. The people answered that they were witnesses and blessed Ruth and Boaz.

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. The Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women blessed the Lord and spoke joyfully to Naomi. They said Ruth loved Naomi deeply, and that this child would restore and sustain her in old age. Naomi held the child and cared for him. The neighbours named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse, the father of David.