King James Version

What Does Ruth 4:14 Mean?

Ruth 4:14 in the King James Version says “And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name m...” — study this verse from Ruth chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. left: Heb. caused to cease unto thee kinsman: or, redeemer”

Ruth 4:14 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

14

And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. left: Heb. caused to cease unto thee kinsman: or, redeemer

15

And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. a nourisher of: Heb. to nourish thine: Heb. thy gray hairs

16

And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

Read Ruth 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The women's blessing of Naomi—'Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer'—celebrates God's covenantal faithfulness through the kinsman-redeemer system. The Hebrew go'el (redeemer) refers to the family member responsible for protecting vulnerable relatives by redeeming land, marrying the widow (levirate marriage, Deuteronomy 25:5-10), and preserving the family line. Boaz's redemption of Ruth and Naomi's property, producing Obed (David's grandfather), demonstrates God's providential reversal: from emptiness (1:21) to fullness, from bitterness to joy, from barrenness to fruitfulness. Typologically, Boaz prefigures Christ, our kinsman-redeemer who paid the price for our redemption, taking us as His bride (the Church) and securing our eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:7, 14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The genealogy concluding Ruth (4:18-22) connects her to David, Israel's greatest king and Messianic prototype. This Moabite widow's inclusion in the royal line demonstrates God's sovereign grace transcending ethnic boundaries. The redeemer laws protected vulnerable widows in patriarchal society, showing God's covenant concern for the marginalized. Boaz's honorable conduct contrasts sharply with the judges era's typical corruption, revealing that even in dark times, God preserves godly individuals. The narrative's placement in the Hebrew canon (among the Writings) highlights David's lineage; in Christian Bibles it transitions from Judges to Samuel, preparing for the monarchy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Christ as my kinsman-redeemer deepen my appreciation for His incarnation and atonement?
  2. In what ways can I tangibly demonstrate redemptive love toward vulnerable people in my community?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַתֹּאמַ֤רְנָה1 of 15

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַנָּשִׁים֙2 of 15

“And the women”

H802

a woman

אֶֽל3 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נָעֳמִ֔י4 of 15

“unto Naomi”

H5281

noomi, an israelitess

בָּר֣וּךְ5 of 15

“Blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 15

“be the LORD”

H3068

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

אֲ֠שֶׁר7 of 15
H834

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

לֹ֣א8 of 15
H3808

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

הִשְׁבִּ֥ית9 of 15

“which hath not left”

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

לָ֛ךְ10 of 15
H0
גֹּאֵ֖ל11 of 15

“without a kinsman”

H1350

to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

הַיּ֑וֹם12 of 15

“thee 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

וְיִקָּרֵ֥א13 of 15

“may be famous”

H7121

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

שְׁמ֖וֹ14 of 15

“that his name”

H8034

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

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃15 of 15

“in Israel”

H3478

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

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 4:14 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 4:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 12:2Matthew 1:5-20Luke 1:58Isaiah 11:1-4Ruth 4:21-22Psalms 34:1-3

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