King James Version

What Does Ruth 4:11 Mean?

Ruth 4:11 in the King James Version says “And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come i... — study this verse from Ruth chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ruth 4:11 · KJV


Context

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.

13

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Community blessing: 'And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses'. The entire assembly affirms their witness role, creating legally unassailable transaction. Their blessing continues: 'The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel'. This remarkable blessing compares Ruth to the matriarchs who built Israel—high honor for a Moabite convert. The community recognizes God's hand in bringing Ruth to Israel and prays she'll be fruitful like the foundational mothers. 'And do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem' prays for Boaz's prosperity and reputation in his hometown. The community's enthusiastic blessing shows acceptance of Ruth and joy at the redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Rachel and Leah, though rivals in life (Genesis 29-35), together bore the twelve patriarchs who became Israel's tribes. Comparing Ruth to them represented highest possible honor—suggesting she would contribute foundationally to Israel's identity and future. This blessing proved prophetic: Ruth's great-grandson David and ultimate descendant Jesus Christ fulfilled it beyond imagination. Ephratah was Bethlehem's ancient name, connecting this blessing to messianic prophecy (Micah 5:2) that Bethlehem Ephratah would produce Israel's ruler. Ancient blessings invoked fertility, prosperity, and reputation—the three elements mentioned here—as markers of divine favor.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the community's blessing illustrate the church's role in celebrating and supporting marriages?
  2. What does comparing Ruth to Rachel and Leah teach about fully incorporating converts into covenant community with highest honor?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ1 of 29

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָּל2 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֧ם3 of 29

And all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁר4 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּשַּׁ֛עַר5 of 29

that were in the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וְהַזְּקֵנִ֖ים6 of 29

and the elders

H2205

old

עֵדִ֑ים7 of 29

We are witnesses

H5707

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

יִתֵּן֩8 of 29

make

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהוָ֨ה9 of 29

The LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶֽת10 of 29
H853

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

הָאִשָּׁ֜ה11 of 29

the woman

H802

a woman

הַבָּאָ֣ה12 of 29

that is come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל13 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֣ית14 of 29

into thine house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

כְּרָחֵ֤ל׀15 of 29

like Rachel

H7354

rachel, a wife of jacob

וּכְלֵאָה֙16 of 29

and like Leah

H3812

leah, a wife of jacob

אֲשֶׁ֨ר17 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּנ֤וּ18 of 29

did build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

שְׁתֵּיהֶם֙19 of 29

which two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֶת20 of 29
H853

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

בֵּ֣ית21 of 29

into thine house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל22 of 29

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַֽעֲשֵׂה23 of 29

and do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

חַ֣יִל24 of 29

thou worthily

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

בְּאֶפְרָ֔תָה25 of 29

in Ephratah

H672

ephrath, another name for bethlehem

וּקְרָא26 of 29

and be famous

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שֵׁ֖ם27 of 29
H8034

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

בְּבֵ֥ית28 of 29
H0
לָֽחֶם׃29 of 29

in Bethlehem

H1035

beth-lechem, a place in palestine


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 4:11 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 4:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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