Ruth 4:1
New International Version
Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.

New Living Translation
Boaz went to the town gate and took a seat there. Just then the family redeemer he had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, “Come over here and sit down, friend. I want to talk to you.” So they sat down together.

English Standard Version
Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.

Berean Standard Bible
Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down.

New American Standard Bible
Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the redeemer of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Come over here, friend, sit down here.” And he came over and sat down.

NASB 1995
Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Turn aside, friend, sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.

NASB 1977
Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Turn aside, friend, sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the kinsman redeemer of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Turn aside, my fellow, sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.

Amplified Bible
Then Boaz went up to the city gate [where business and legal matters were settled] and sat down, and then the close relative (redeemer) of whom Boaz had spoken came by. He said to him, “Come over here, friend, and sit down.” So he came and sat down.

Christian Standard Bible
Boaz went to the gate of the town and sat down there. Soon the family redeemer Boaz had spoken about came by. Boaz said, “Come over here and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Boaz went to the gate of the town and sat down there. Soon the family redeemer Boaz had spoken about came by. Boaz called him by name and said, “Come over here and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.

American Standard Version
Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the near 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.

Contemporary English Version
In the meanwhile, Boaz had gone to the meeting place at the town gate and was sitting there when the other close relative came by. So Boaz invited him to come over and sit down, and he did.

English Revised Version
Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the near 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Boaz went to the city gate and sat there. Just then, the relative about whom he had spoken was passing by. Boaz said, "Please come over here and sit, my friend." So the man came over and sat down.

Good News Translation
Boaz went to the meeting place at the town gate and sat down there. Then Elimelech's nearest relative, the man whom Boaz had mentioned, came by, and Boaz called to him, "Come over here, my friend, and sit down." So he went over and sat down.

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, Boaz approached the city gate and sat down there. Just then, the very same related redeemer whom Boaz had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, "Come over and sit down here, my friend!" So the man came over and sat down.

Majority Standard Bible
Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.

NET Bible
Now Boaz went up to the village gate and sat there. Then along came the guardian whom Boaz had mentioned to Ruth! Boaz said, "Come here and sit down, 'John Doe'!" So he came and sat down.

New Heart English Bible
Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there. Look, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; to whom he said, "Come over here, friend, and sit down." He turned aside, and sat down.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there: and behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; to whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

World English Bible
Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there. Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by. Boaz said to him, “Come over here, friend, and sit down!” He came over, and sat down.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Boaz has gone up to the gate, and sits there, and behold, the redeemer is passing by of whom Boaz had spoken, and he says, “Turn aside, sit down here, such a one, such a one”; and he turns aside and sits down.

Young's Literal Translation
And Boaz hath gone up to the gate, and sitteth there, and lo, the redeemer is passing by of whom Boaz had spoken, and he saith, 'Turn aside, sit down here, such a one, such a one;' and he turneth aside and sitteth down.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Boaz went up to the gate and sat there: and behold, the blood relation whom Boaz spake of, passing by; and he will say, Turn aside, sit down here; thou such a one. And he will turn aside, and sit down.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Booz went up to the gate, and sat there. And when he had seen the kinsman going by, of whom he had spoken before, he said to him, calling him by his name: Turn aside for a little while, and sit down here. He turned aside, and sat down.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Boaz went up to the gate, and he sat there. And when he had seen the kinsman passing by, whom he had previously discussed, he spoke to him, calling him by his name, “Pause for a little while, and sit down here.” He turned aside and sat down.

New American Bible
Boaz went to the gate and took a seat there. Along came the other redeemer of whom he had spoken. Boaz called to him by name, “Come, sit here.” And he did so.

New Revised Standard Version
No sooner had Boaz gone up to the gate and sat down there than the next-of-kin, of whom Boaz had spoken, came passing by. So Boaz said, “Come over, friend; sit down here.” And he went over and sat down.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THEN Boaz went up to the city gate and sat down there; and behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz had spoken was passing by; and Boaz said to him, Come, sit down here. And the man said to him, What do you wish? And he sat down by him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Baaz came up and he sat down at the gate of the city, and behold, the Avenger passed by about whom Baaz had spoken, and he said to him: “Come, sit here!” But he said to him, “What is it?” And he sat down with him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat him down there; and, behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; unto whom he said: 'Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here.' And he turned aside, and sat down.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Booz went up to the gate, and sat there; and behold, the relative passed by, of whom Booz spoke: and Booz said to him, Turn aside, sit down here, such a one: and he turned aside and sat down.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Boaz Redeems Ruth
1Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. 2Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 25:5-10
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ...

Genesis 38:8
Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”

Leviticus 25:25
If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.

Matthew 1:5
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

Genesis 23:10-18
Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth. So in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city, Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham, / “No, my lord. Listen to me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.” / Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land ...

Jeremiah 32:7-12
Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy for yourself my field in Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.’ / Then, as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and urged me, ‘Please buy my field in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for you own the right of inheritance and redemption. Buy it for yourself.’” Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD. / So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and I weighed out seventeen shekels of silver. ...

1 Kings 21:8-14
Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. / But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” ...

Luke 3:32
the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,

1 Chronicles 2:11-12
Nahshon was the father of Salmon, and Salmon was the father of Boaz. / Boaz was the father of Obed, and Obed was the father of Jesse.

Matthew 22:24-25
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother.

Numbers 27:8-11
Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. / If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. / If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. ...

1 Samuel 9:22
Then Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited—about thirty in all.

Luke 20:28
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.

Genesis 19:1
Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown,

1 Kings 22:10
Dressed in royal attire, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them.


Treasury of Scripture

Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; to whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

to the gate

Deuteronomy 16:18
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

Deuteronomy 17:5
Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.

Deuteronomy 21:19
Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

the kinsman

Ruth 3:12
And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

Ho, such

Isaiah 55:1
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Zechariah 2:6
Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.

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Boaz Close Ho Kinsman Relative Sat Sit Turn Turned
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Ruth 4
1. Boaz calls into judgment the next kinsman
6. He refuses the redemption according to the manner in Israel
9. Boaz buys the inheritance
11. He marries Ruth
13. She bears Obed, the grandfather of David
18. The generations of Pharez unto David














Meanwhile Boaz
The name "Boaz" in Hebrew means "strength" or "swift." Boaz is a figure of integrity and righteousness, embodying the strength of character that is central to the narrative. His actions are pivotal in the unfolding of God's providential plan for Ruth and Naomi. Boaz's initiative in going to the gate demonstrates his commitment to fulfilling his role as a kinsman-redeemer, a concept deeply rooted in the Levitical laws (Leviticus 25:25).

went to the gate
The city gate in ancient Israel was not merely a passageway but a place of legal transactions, public meetings, and community gatherings. It was akin to a modern-day courthouse or town hall. By going to the gate, Boaz positions himself in a place of authority and transparency, ready to conduct the legal proceedings necessary to redeem Ruth.

and sat down there
Sitting down at the gate signifies Boaz's readiness to engage in official business. In the cultural context, sitting was a posture of deliberation and decision-making. Boaz's action reflects his deliberate and thoughtful approach to resolving the matter of redemption.

Just then the kinsman-redeemer
The term "kinsman-redeemer" (Hebrew: "go'el") is a key concept in the book of Ruth. It refers to a close relative who has the responsibility to redeem a family member in distress, whether by buying back land, marrying a widow, or avenging blood. This role is a picture of Christ, our ultimate Redeemer, who rescues us from sin and restores us to God.

Boaz had mentioned
This phrase indicates Boaz's prior awareness and strategic planning. He had already considered the legal and familial implications of redeeming Ruth and was prepared to act in accordance with the law and God's will. It underscores Boaz's wisdom and foresight.

came along
The arrival of the kinsman-redeemer at this precise moment highlights the providence of God. In the narrative, it is not mere coincidence but a divine orchestration that brings the right people together at the right time to fulfill His purposes.

and Boaz said, 'Come over here, my friend, and sit down.'
Boaz's invitation is both courteous and authoritative. The term "my friend" (Hebrew: "peloni almoni") is a generic term, suggesting anonymity, which may imply the kinsman-redeemer's reluctance or failure to fulfill his duty. Boaz's respectful yet firm invitation sets the stage for the legal proceedings to follow.

So he went over and sat down
The kinsman-redeemer's compliance in sitting down signifies his willingness to engage in the discussion. This act of sitting down is a prelude to the negotiation and decision-making process that will determine the future of Ruth and Naomi. It reflects the cultural norms of respect and order in legal matters.

(1) Went up.--Inasmuch as the town stood on a hill: so in Ruth 3:3, Ruth is bidden to go down to the threshing-floor.

The kinsman.--The Goel. (See Ruth 3:12).

Turn aside.--The form of the imperative is such as to give a hortatory turn, pray turn aside and sit down.

Such a one.--Heb.,p'loni almoni. This phrase is used like the English so-and-so, such-and-such, of names which it is thought either unnecessary or undesirable to give. The derivation is probably from palah, to mark out, to separate, to distinguish, and alam, to hide, giving the twofold notion of one who is indicated, though in a certain sense concealed. The phrase is used of places, 1Samuel 21:2, 2Kings 6:8; see also Daniel 8:13. Why the name is not recorded here does not appear; possibly it was not known to the writer, or it may have been thought unworthy of recording, since he neglected his plain duty in refusing to raise up seed to the dead. We know nothing of this unnamed person save the fact of the offering of the redemption set before him, and his refusal of it, an offer which involved the glory of being the ancestor of the Christ who was to be born in the far-off ages. . . .

Verse 1. - And Boaz went up, to the gate, and sat there. He "went up," for the city stood, as it still stands, on a ridge (see on Ruth 1:1; 3:6). "And sat there," on one of the stones, or stone benches, that were set for the accommodation of the townsfolk. The gateway in the East often corresponded, as a place of meeting, to the forum, or the market-place, in the West. Boaz had reason to believe that his kinsman would be either passing out to his fields, or passing in from his threshing-floor, through the one gate of the city. And lo, the kinsman of whom Boaz had spoken was passing; and he said, Ho, such a one I turn hither and sit here. And he turned and sat down. Boaz called his kinsman by his name; but the writer does not name him, either because he could not, or because he would not. The phrase "such a one," or "so and so," is a purely idiomatic English equivalent for the purely idiomatic Hebrew phrase פְלֹנִי אַלְמֹנִי. A literal translation is impossible. The Latin N.N. corresponds.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Meanwhile Boaz
וּבֹ֨עַז (ū·ḇō·‘az)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1162: Boaz -- 'quickness', an ancestor of David, also a pillar before the temple

went
עָלָ֣ה (‘ā·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to the gate
הַשַּׁעַר֮ (haš·ša·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

and sat down
וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

there.
שָׁם֒ (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

Soon
וְהִנֵּ֨ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

the kinsman-redeemer
הַגֹּאֵ֤ל (hag·gō·’êl)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

of whom [he]
בֹּ֔עַז (bō·‘az)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1162: Boaz -- 'quickness', an ancestor of David, also a pillar before the temple

had spoken
דִּבֶּר־ (dib·ber-)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

came along,
עֹבֵר֙ (‘ō·ḇêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

and Boaz said,
וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Come over
ס֥וּרָה (sū·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

here,
פֹּ֖ה (pōh)
Adverb
Strong's 6311: This place, here

my friend,
פְּלֹנִ֣י (pə·lō·nî)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6423: Such a, one, a specified peccrson

and sit down.”
שְׁבָה־ (šə·ḇāh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

So he went over
וַיָּ֖סַר (way·yā·sar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

and sat down.
וַיֵּשֵֽׁב׃ (way·yê·šêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry


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OT History: Ruth 4:1 Now Boaz went up to the gate (Ru Rut.)
Ruth 3:18
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