Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
RUTH 4:1KJVWhat does Ruth 4:1 mean?
Ruth 4:1 describes Boaz going up to the town gate, sitting down, and calling over the relative he had spoken about earlier, inviting him to sit as well. This sets the stage for an important legal discussion about Ruth’s future and the family’s inheritance.
In this scene, Boaz takes initiative by positioning himself at the city gate, which was the traditional place for legal matters and public decisions in ancient Israel. The “kinsman” Boaz calls over is the closer relative who has the first right to redeem (buy back) Naomi’s land and possibly marry Ruth. Boaz’s greeting, “Ho, such a one!” is a way of addressing the man without naming him, focusing the reader’s attention on the legal process rather than the individual’s identity.
The Hebrew behind Ruth 4:1
- The word “gate” (שַּׁעַר, shaʿar) refers to the main entrance of the town, which functioned as the community’s courtroom and meeting place. This detail shows that Boaz is following the proper legal customs.
- The phrase “Ho, such a one!” uses two Hebrew words: הֹא (ho, “hey!” or “ho!”) and פְּלֹנִי אַלְמֹנִי (peloni almoni, “so-and-so” or “such a one”). This is a generic way to refer to someone whose name is either unknown or deliberately left out, highlighting that the man’s identity is not the focus.
Why Ruth 4:1 matters
- Ruth 4:1 shows Boaz acting with integrity and transparency, making sure the legal process is public and above board.
- The verse introduces the “kinsman-redeemer” theme, which is central to the book’s resolution and to understanding ancient Israelite family responsibilities.
- By not naming the other relative, the text subtly shifts the spotlight to Boaz and Ruth, preparing the reader for the outcome of this legal encounter.