Ruth 4:9 (GNV)

Passage

And Boaz sayd vnto the Elders and vnto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I haue bought all that was Elimelechs, and all that was Chilions and Mahlons, of the hand of Naomi.

Nearby Context

Ruth 4:7 Now this was the maner beforetime in Israel, concerning redeeming and changing, for to stablish all things: a man did plucke off his shooe, and gaue it his neighbour, and this was a sure witnes in Israel.

Ruth 4:8 Therefore the kinsman sayd to Boas, Buy it for thee: and he drew off his shooe.

Ruth 4:9 And Boaz sayd vnto the Elders and vnto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I haue bought all that was Elimelechs, and all that was Chilions and Mahlons, of the hand of Naomi.

Ruth 4:10 And moreouer, Ruth the Moabitesse the wife of Mahlon, haue I bought to be my wife, to stirre vp the name of the dead vpon his inheritance, and that the name of the dead be not put out from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

Ruth 4:11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the Elders sayd, We are witnesses: the Lord make the wife that commeth into thine house, like Rahel and like Leah, which twaine did build the house of Israel: and that thou mayest doe worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Beth-lehem,

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "boaz", "sayd", "vnto", "elders", "people", "witnesses", and "haue". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "boaz" and "sayd", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "Therefore the kinsman sayd to Boas Buy..." into verse 10's "And moreouer Ruth the Moabitesse the wife...", so "boaz" and "sayd" belong inside that flow. In Ruth context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "boaz" and "sayd" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.