What is the context?
Boaz marries Ruth, and the LORD enables her to conceive. Their son’s birth brings a new blessing to Naomi. The women praise God for not leaving her without a redeemer and describe the child as one who will renew her life and support her in old age.
They also recognize Ruth’s love, calling her better to Naomi than seven sons. The foreign daughter-in-law who arrived with her has become central to the household’s renewed future. Naomi takes the child into her lap and cares for him. The neighboring women name him Obed and speak of a son born to Naomi.
The narrator then identifies Obed as the father of Jesse, the father of David. A final genealogy traces the family from Perez through Boaz and Obed to David. The story that began with famine, death, and the threat of a family disappearing ends with life and a place in Israel’s royal history.
How is this passage commonly understood?
The reference to a redeemer in verse 14 has been understood in two ways. Wesley explains the blessing through God not allowing the family’s redeemer to fail in his duty, emphasizing Boaz’s action. Gill acknowledges that reading but favors the newborn child, because the women speak of what has happened that day and of his future care for Naomi.
The USCCB Bible study notes also connect the child with the family’s future care and explain that Naomi’s taking him into her arms need not mean a formal adoption. The account honors her renewed place in the household while still identifying Ruth and Boaz as his parents.
Henry draws out the wider significance of the genealogy: Ruth’s place in David’s family leads toward Christ and the blessing reaching both Jews and Gentiles. The closing names therefore do more than record a private family’s recovery.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
The New Testament makes that direction explicit. Matthew 1:1–6, 16–23 names Ruth and Boaz in the ancestry of Jesus, the son of David, and identifies His mission as saving His people from their sins. Luke 1:30–33 announces that Jesus will receive David’s throne and reign without end.
The hope also reaches the nations. In Romans 15:8–13, Christ confirms God’s promises and brings Gentiles to praise Him for mercy; Paul points to the Root of Jesse as their hope. Ruth’s place in the family of Jesse and David belongs within that saving purpose. God’s care for these women is part of a story extending far beyond what they could see.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.