Question 1

What does Ruth 4:13 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Ruth 4:13

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Why Ruth 4:13 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

Ruth 4:13 (KJV)