King James Version

What Does Ruth 4:10 Mean?

Ruth 4:10 in the King James Version says “Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon h...” — study this verse from Ruth chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

8

Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

9

And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.

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.

11

And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: do thou: or, get thee riches, or, power be famous: Heb. proclaim thy name

12

And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Marriage declaration: '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'. Boaz publicly declares marriage to Ruth, using term 'purchased' in context of kinsman-redeemer law—not buying a person but undertaking legal marriage responsibility. His stated purpose—'raise up the name of the dead'—shows covenantal rather than selfish motivation. The phrase 'Ruth the Moabitess' emphasizes her foreign origin, making Boaz's public acceptance before the community remarkable—he proudly claims her despite ethnic difference, demonstrating that covenant relationship transcends ethnicity. The repeated 'ye are witnesses' ensures maximum legal validity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Levirate marriage served multiple purposes: preserving deceased man's name and memory, providing for widows, keeping property within family, and maintaining tribal inheritance patterns. Boaz's public statement before the community served as both marriage announcement and legal declaration of intent to fulfill covenant responsibility. His willingness to publicly claim Ruth the Moabitess demonstrated counter-cultural love—ancient peoples typically viewed foreigners, particularly from enemy nations, with suspicion and contempt. Boaz's public honor of Ruth foreshadows the gospel truth that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, all are one through faith (Galatians 3:28).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Boaz's public claiming of 'Ruth the Moabitess' teach about Christian willingness to publicly honor those the world despises?
  2. How does raising up the dead man's name illustrate Christian servant-leadership that exalts others rather than self?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְגַ֣ם1 of 25
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת2 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

ר֣וּת3 of 25

“Moreover Ruth”

H7327

ruth, a moabitess

הַמֹּֽאֲבִיָּה֩4 of 25

“the Moabitess”

H4125

a moabite or moabitess, i.e., a descendant from moab

לְאִשָּׁ֗ה5 of 25

“the wife”

H802

a woman

מַחְל֜וֹן6 of 25

“of Mahlon”

H4248

machlon, an israelite

קָנִ֧יתִי7 of 25

“have I purchased”

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

לִ֣י8 of 25
H0
לְאִשָּׁ֗ה9 of 25

“the wife”

H802

a woman

לְהָקִ֤ים10 of 25

“to raise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

שֵׁם11 of 25

“that the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הַמֵּ֛ת12 of 25

“of the dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

עַל13 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נַ֣חֲלָת֔וֹ14 of 25

“upon his inheritance”

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

וְלֹֽא15 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִכָּרֵ֧ת16 of 25

“be not cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

שֵׁם17 of 25

“that the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הַמֵּ֛ת18 of 25

“of the dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

מֵעִ֥ם19 of 25

“from among”

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֶחָ֖יו20 of 25

“his brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וּמִשַּׁ֣עַר21 of 25

“and from the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

מְקוֹמ֑וֹ22 of 25

“of his place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

עֵדִ֥ים23 of 25

“ye are witnesses”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

אַתֶּ֖ם24 of 25
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

הַיּֽוֹם׃25 of 25

“this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ruth. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ruth 4:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ruth 4:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 25:6Ephesians 5:25Proverbs 31:10-11Proverbs 18:22Psalms 109:15Genesis 29:27

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