Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 4:14
And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed [be] the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
14. On account of the words this day, Bertholet and Nowack take the near kinsman ( go’el) as referring to the new-born son. It is true that the words which follow, ‘let his name be famous,’ apply to the child; but throughout the story the near kinsman is Boaz. He has done all, and more than all, that could be expected of a go’el; he has redeemed the property, and now ( this day) he has secured an heir for Naomi’s family.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Without a kinsman – i. e. Boaz, not the infant Obed.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Without a kinsman; which is understood, either, first, Of the son new born. Or rather, secondly, Of Boaz; for the name of goel, which is translated kinsman or redeemer, is never, that I know of, given to the child born, but always to the person begetting him of his brothers or near kinsmans wife. And whereas it is objected, that there was no cause for this congratulation at this time in reference to Boaz, because that was done divers months before this time; it may be replied, that the memory of that generous action was revived upon this occasion, and therefore is fitly mentioned as the foundation of this childs birth; and this happy effect justly leads them to the cause and original of it, which was this, that Boaz had shown himself to be a kinsman or not only in name and title, as the other kinsman was, Rth 4:6, but in truth and reality. The words may be rendered,
which hath not made or suffered thy kinsman to fail to thee, i.e. to neglect or refuse the performance of his duty to thee and thine, as the other kinsman did.
That his name may be famous in Israel, Heb. and his name shall be famous in Israel, for this noble and worthy action, wherein he gave so great an example of piety, charity, humility, and self-denial.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the women said unto Naomi,…. The inhabitants of Bethlehem, as they fell into her company; or perhaps these were the women that were called to the labour of Ruth, and attended the birth of the child:
blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman; a grandchild born to her that day. In Moab she was bereaved of her husband and of two sons; but now she is not left without a relation, a kinsman, and a redeemer, for which the women blessed God, and stirred her up to do the same. Alshech observes, that the women said, blessed be the Lord, because from him would spring the Messiah of the Lord, as did. Some refer this to Boaz, to whom the name of kinsman, or redeemer, more properly belonged; and who appeared to have done the office and duty of such an one, by redeeming the estate of his kinsman, and marrying his widow, the effect of which was, that a son was born, who would be heir of the estate; but the text speaks of what was done that day, and what is after said in the next verse all relates to the child born:
that his name may be famous in Israel; some refer this to the name of God, by whose providence this was brought about; others to Boaz, who was well spoken of for his charity, integrity, and humility, shown in redeeming the estate, and taking Ruth to wife; or rather it refers to the newborn child, of whom they express their hope and confidence, that when he came to man’s estate would be very famous and honourable in Israel, being a worthy and virtuous man himself, and the progenitor of such illustrious persons as Jesse, David, &c. and even of the Messiah.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(14) Left thee without.Literally, not allowed to cease to thee.
A kinsman.That is, the child (See next verse). The word kinsman here is Goel, a redeemer.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. The women The women of Beth-lehem, Naomi’s neighbours and friends. Rth 4:17.
Not left thee this day without a kinsman The kinsman or redeemer in this passage refers not to Boaz, but to the child born to Ruth, as is evident from the words that follow.
That his name may be famous Rather, and may his name (that is, the child’s name) be famous; become honourably perpetuated by a numerous and worthy posterity in Israel.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be YHWH, who has not left you this day without a near kinsman, and let his name be famous in Israel.”
As a consequence of the birth of a son the women were able to say to Naomi, ‘blessed be YHWH Who has not left you without a near kinsman’. They were referring to the new born baby who would grow up to be head of Naomi’s family, and would inherit the family property. Whilst Boaz would take her into his house (she becomes nurse to the baby) she was not strictly of his family. But the new born baby was in the eyes of the Law her son’s son (in consequence of the law of Levirate marriage) and inherited the family land. Once he was of age he would thus have family responsibility for her.
“Let his name be famous in Israel.” Literally ‘and let his name be named in Israel’. The idea was that they hoped that he would ‘make a name for himself’ by his success and godliness, so that he would be a successful family head.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. (15) And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him.
It was a very common thing in Israel, to offer pious salutations upon any auspicious events, and especially when the hand of the Lord was seen in them. That is a sweet instance, Luk 1:42 ; Luk 1:45
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rth 4:14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed [be] the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
Ver. 14. And the women said unto Naomi. ] This was a holy way of gossipping. So Luk 1:58 . God was praised and called upon: the time was not wasted in idle chat and frivolous prattle, much less in scurrility and ribaldry.
Which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman.
That his name may be famous in Israel.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the women: Luk 1:58, Rom 12:15, 1Co 12:26
Blessed: Gen 29:35, Psa 34:1-3, Psa 103:1, Psa 103:2, 1Th 5:18, 2Th 1:3
which hath: Gen 24:27
left thee: Heb. caused to cease unto thee
kinsman: or, redeemer
that his: Rth 4:21, Rth 4:22, Gen 12:2, Isa 11:1-4, Mat 1:5-20
Reciprocal: Psa 107:41 – setteth Gal 4:27 – desolate
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rth 4:14. The women said unto Naomi After Ruths delivery. Which hath not left thee without a kinsman The words may be rendered, who hath not made, or suffered, thy kinsman to fail thee; that is, to refuse to perform his duty to thee and thine, as the other kinsman did. The Hebrew , goel, which we translate kinsman, properly belonged to Boaz, and not to his son who was born; and yet the women seem to speak this with a reference to the child, which probably induced the Arabic translator to render it, hath not left thee without an heir. That his name may Hebrew, and his name shall be famous in Israel; On account of this noble and worthy action.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
4:14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed [be] the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that {h} his name may be famous in Israel.
(h) He shall leave continual posterity.