Ruth 4:7-11

Bible Text

[7] Now this was [the custom] in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the [manner of] attestation in Israel. [8] So the near kinsman said to Boaz, Buy it for yourself. He drew off his shoe. [9] Boaz said to the elders, and to all the people, You 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 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. [11] All the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which two built the house of Israel: and do you worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

Bethlehem was the Judean town where Boaz conducted the redemption transaction at the city gate; Ephrathah was the surrounding district or older designation associated with Bethlehem. Moab, east of the Dead Sea, was Ruth’s homeland, highlighting that this Moabite widow was publicly received into Israel’s covenant community and household.

Places in this passage

Ruth 4:7-11 mentions Bethlehem, Ephrathah and Moab.

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