Ruth 4:13 (KJV)

What does Ruth 4:13 mean?

Ruth 4:13 tells how Boaz married Ruth, and through their union, the LORD enabled Ruth to become pregnant and give birth to a son. The verse highlights that this child was seen as a gift from God, marking a turning point in Ruth’s life and family line.

In the story’s setting, Boaz is a respected man in Bethlehem who has just legally taken Ruth, a Moabite widow, as his wife. The verse is a simple, factual statement, but it signals the fulfillment of earlier hopes for Ruth’s future and the continuation of her deceased husband’s family. The birth of a son is especially significant in ancient Israel, as it secures the family’s legacy and inheritance.

The Hebrew behind Ruth 4:13

• יְהוָה (YHWH, transliterated “Yahweh” or “the LORD”): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. The verse credits the LORD directly with giving Ruth the ability to conceive, emphasizing divine involvement in the story.
• הֵרָיוֹן (herayon, “conception”): This word for conception is rare in the Hebrew Bible, drawing special attention to the fact that Ruth’s pregnancy is not just a natural event but something granted by God.
• נָתַן (natan, “gave”): The verb here means “to give,” underscoring that Ruth’s ability to have a child is presented as a gift, not just a biological occurrence.

Why Ruth 4:13 matters

• The verse clarifies that Ruth’s child is seen as a direct blessing from God, not just the result of marriage, which would have been especially meaningful to the original audience.
• Ruth 4:13 connects the personal story of Ruth and Boaz to the larger theme of God’s faithfulness and provision, setting up the genealogy that follows and eventually leads to King David.
• The verse quietly but powerfully affirms Ruth’s full acceptance into the community of Israel, as her son becomes part of the nation’s ongoing story.