New International VersionBoaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.
New Living TranslationThen Boaz called ten leaders from the town and asked them to sit as witnesses.
English Standard VersionAnd he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
Berean Standard BibleThen Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.
King James BibleAnd he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
New King James VersionAnd he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
New American Standard BibleThen he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
NASB 1995He took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
NASB 1977And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
Legacy Standard BibleThen he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
Amplified BibleThen Boaz took ten men from the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” And they sat down.
Christian Standard BibleThen Boaz took ten men of the town’s elders and said, “Sit here.” And they sat down.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen Boaz took 10 men of the town’s elders and said, “Sit here.” And they sat down.
American Standard VersionAnd he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
Contemporary English VersionThen Boaz got ten of the town leaders and also asked them to sit down. After they had sat down,
English Revised VersionAnd he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen Boaz chose ten men who were leaders of that city and said, "Sit here." So they also sat down.
Good News TranslationThen Boaz got ten of the leaders of the town and asked them to sit down there too. When they were seated,
International Standard VersionBoaz selected ten of the town elders and spoke to them, "Sit down here." So they sat down
NET BibleBoaz chose ten of the village leaders and said, "Sit down here!" So they sat down.
New Heart English BibleHe took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, "Sit down here." They sat down.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.
World English BibleBoaz took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here,” and they sat down. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he takes ten men from [the] elderly of the city, and says, “Sit down here”; and they sit down.
Young's Literal Translation And he taketh ten men of the elders of the city, and saith, 'Sit down here;' and they sit down.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he will take ten men from the old men of the city, and he will say, Sit ye down here. And they will sit down. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Booz taking ten men of the ancients of the city, said to them: Sit ye down here.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut Boaz, calling aside ten men among the elders of the city, said to them, “Sit down here.”
New American BibleThen Boaz picked out ten of the elders of the town and asked them to sit nearby. When they had done this,
New Revised Standard VersionThen Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here”; so they sat down. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Boaz selected ten men of the elders of the city, and seated them by him.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd he chose for himself ten men from the Elders of the city and sat them with him OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said: 'Sit ye down here.' And they sat down.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Booz took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye here; and they sat down.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Boaz Redeems Ruth1Meanwhile, 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 tooktenof the eldersof the cityand said,“Sithere,”and they did so.3And he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech.…
Cross References Deuteronomy 25:7-10But 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.” / Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak with him. If he persists and says, “I do not want to marry her,” / his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal, spit in his face, and declare, “This is what is done to the man who will not maintain his brother’s line.” ...
Genesis 23:10-18Now 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 32:10-12I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. / Then I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions, as well as the open copy— / and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.
Leviticus 25:25If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.
Numbers 27:8-11Furthermore, 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. ...
Deuteronomy 19:12the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die.
1 Samuel 9:12-13“Yes, he is ahead of you,” they answered. “Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place. / As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will eat. Go up at once; you will find him.”
2 Samuel 15:2He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,”
Proverbs 31:23Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.
Isaiah 1:26I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning. After that you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”
Matthew 18:16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
Matthew 26:59-60Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
Luke 24:48You are witnesses of these things.
John 8:17Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.
Acts 1:8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Treasury of Scripture And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit you down here. And they sat down. the elders Exodus 18:21,22 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and placesuch over them,to be rulers of thousands,and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: … Exodus 21:8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her. Deuteronomy 29:10 Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers,with all the men of Israel, Jump to Previous BoazCityEldersResponsibleSatSeatedSeatsSitTenJump to Next BoazCityEldersResponsibleSatSeatedSeatsSitTenRuth 4 1.Boaz calls into judgment the next kinsman6.He refuses the redemption according to the manner in Israel9.Boaz buys the inheritance11.He marries Ruth13.She bears Obed, the grandfather of David18.The generations of Pharez unto DavidThen Boaz took ten of the elders of the cityIn ancient Israel, elders were respected leaders and decision-makers within the community. The number ten is significant as it often represents completeness or a quorum in Jewish tradition, such as in a minyan, the quorum required for certain religious obligations. Boaz's choice to gather ten elders underscores the importance and formality of the proceedings. This gathering reflects the legal and communal practices of the time, where elders would serve as witnesses to transactions and agreements, ensuring that the actions taken were recognized and binding within the community. and said, “Sit here,”
Boaz's directive to the elders to "sit here" indicates his authority and the respect he commanded within the community. Sitting was a posture of deliberation and judgment, suggesting that a formal legal proceeding was about to take place. This setting at the city gate, a common place for legal matters and public business, highlights the transparency and public nature of the transaction. The city gate was a central location where justice was administered, and community issues were addressed, as seen in other biblical accounts such as in the story of Lot inGenesis 19:1. and they did so.
The elders' compliance with Boaz's request demonstrates their recognition of the importance of the matter at hand and their respect for Boaz. Their willingness to participate also reflects the communal nature of decision-making in ancient Israel, where the involvement of respected leaders lent legitimacy to the proceedings. This act of sitting and witnessing would ensure that the transaction was conducted according to the law and customs of the time, providing a legal and social framework for the redemption process that Boaz was about to undertake. Persons / Places / Events 1. BoazA prominent and wealthy man from Bethlehem, Boaz is a kinsman-redeemer for Ruth. His actions in this chapter demonstrate his integrity and adherence to the law. 2. Elders of the CityThese are respected leaders within the community of Bethlehem. Their role is to witness and validate legal transactions, ensuring that community standards and laws are upheld. 3. The City GateThe city gate was a central place for legal matters, business transactions, and public gatherings in ancient Israelite society. It served as a courtroom and a place for public discourse. 4. RuthAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, Ruth is the Moabite widow whose loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi and faith in the God of Israel are central to the account. 5. NaomiRuth's mother-in-law, who returned to Bethlehem with Ruth after the death of her husband and sons. She plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's providential plan. Teaching Points The Importance of Community WitnessBoaz's gathering of the elders underscores the importance of community involvement and accountability in legal and personal matters. In our lives, involving trusted community members in significant decisions can provide wisdom and support. Integrity in ActionBoaz's actions reflect his integrity and commitment to doing what is right according to God's law. As believers, we are called to act with integrity, even when it requires effort and public accountability. God's Providence in Legal MattersThe legal proceedings at the city gate are part of God's providential plan to bring about His purposes. Trusting in God's sovereignty, we can have confidence that He is at work in the details of our lives, including legal and relational matters. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Ruth 4:2?
2.How does Ruth 4:2 demonstrate the importance of community in decision-making processes?
3.Why did Boaz gather "ten of the elders" for the meeting?
4.How can we apply the principle of seeking counsel from elders today?
5.What other Scriptures emphasize the role of elders in community decisions?
6.How does Ruth 4:2 encourage accountability in our personal and communal actions?
7.Why did Boaz gather ten elders in Ruth 4:2, and what was their role?
8.How does Ruth 4:2 reflect ancient Israelite legal practices?
9.What significance do the elders hold in the context of Ruth 4:2?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ruth 4?
11.What is a kinsman redeemer in the Book of Ruth?
12.If Boaz was significantly older, as some traditions suggest (Ruth 3:10), why would the text not address more clearly the potential social or power dynamics in this union?
13.In Ruth 4:7, is the 'shoe exchange' ceremony documented elsewhere in ancient Near Eastern records, or is it unique to this text?
14.What events occurred at the city gate in the Bible?What Does Ruth 4:2 Mean Then Boaz took“Then Boaz took…” (Ruth 4:2) • Boaz acts promptly; he does not delay righteousness (James 4:17;Ephesians 5:16). • His initiative shows protective covenant love, echoing how God seeks and saves (Luke 19:10). • Leadership here is public, not private—a reminder that integrity welcomes light (John 3:21).
Ten of the elders of the city“…ten of the elders of the city…” • Elders sat at the gate to decide legal matters (Deuteronomy 16:18;Proverbs 31:23). • Ten forms a complete quorum of witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15); Boaz ensures his action is beyond reproach (2 Corinthians 8:21). • The presence of elders ties Ruth’s story to Israel’s covenant structures, showing God works through ordained order (Romans 13:1–2).
Sit here“…and said, ‘Sit here,’…” • “Sit” signals the start of formal proceedings (Genesis 23:10–11). • Boaz speaks with humble authority; true leadership invites participation, not coercion (1 Peter 5:3). • Sitting also pictures rest—Boaz will secure rest for Ruth just as Christ offers rest to those who come to Him (Matthew 11:28–29).
And they did so“…and they did so.” • The elders’ immediate compliance shows respect for righteous leadership (Hebrews 13:17). • Their obedience paves the way for redemption to unfold; God uses willing hearts (Isaiah 1:19;Philippians 2:13). • The verse ends with action completed, hinting that God’s purposes advance when His people respond without delay (Acts 9:6).
summaryRuth 4:2 shows Boaz taking deliberate, lawful steps toward redemption. By gathering ten elders, inviting them to sit, and receiving their prompt cooperation, he anchors his actions in public accountability and covenant faithfulness. The verse teaches that God’s redemptive plans move forward through decisive, righteous leadership and the willing obedience of His people. Verse 2. - And he took ten men of the elderly inhabitants of the city, and he said, Sit ye here; and they sat down. Boaz wished to have a full complement of witnesses to the important transaction which he contemplated.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then Boaz tookוַיִּקַּ֞ח(way·yiq·qaḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947:To taketenעֲשָׂרָ֧ה(‘ă·śā·rāh)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 6235:Tenof the eldersמִזִּקְנֵ֥י(miz·ziq·nê)Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205:Oldof the cityהָעִ֖יר(hā·‘îr)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892:Excitementand said,וַיֹּ֣אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Sitשְׁבוּ־(šə·ḇū-)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marryhere,”פֹ֑ה(p̄ōh)Adverb
Strong's 6311:This place, hereand they did so.וַיֵּשֵֽׁבוּ׃(way·yê·šê·ḇū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry
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OT History: Ruth 4:2 He took ten men of the elders (Ru Rut.) |
