RUTH 4:11 Interlinear View

1. Hebrew word
2. Hebrew lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. Gloss
8. CAPS codes
9. OET tags
10. OET word #
1. וַ,יֹּאמְרוּ
2. 181126,181127
3. And they said
4. said
5. 559
6. SV-C,Vqw3mp
7. and=they_said
8. S
9. -
10. 125178
1. כָּל
2. 181128
3. all of
4. -
5. 3605
6. S-Ncmsc
7. all_of
8. -
9. -
10. 125179
2. 181129
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 125180
1. הָ,עָם
2. 181130,181131
3. the people
4. people
6. S-Td,Ncmsa
7. the,people
8. -
9. -
10. 125181
1. אֲשֶׁר
2. 181132
3. which
4. that
6. S-Tr
7. which
8. -
9. -
10. 125182
2. 181133
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 125183
1. בַּ,שַּׁעַר
2. 181134,181135
3. +was at gate
4. at gate
5. 8179
6. P-Rd,Ncmsa
7. [was]_at,gate
8. -
9. -
10. 125184
1. וְ,הַ,זְּקֵנִים
2. 181136,181137,181138
3. and the elders
4. -
5. 2205
6. S-C,Td,Aampa
7. and,the,elders
8. -
9. -
10. 125185
1. עֵדִים
2. 181139
3. we are witnesses
4. we
5. 5707
6. P-Ncmpa
7. [we_are]_witnesses
8. -
9. -
10. 125186
1. יִתֵּן
2. 181140
3. may he make
4. -
5. 5414
6. V-Vqi3ms
7. may_he_make
8. -
9. -
10. 125187
1. יְהוָה
2. 181141
3. YHWH
4. Yahweh
5. 3068
6. S-Np
7. Yahweh
8. -
9. Person=God
10. 125188
1. אֶֽת
2. 181142
3. DOM
4. -
5. 853
6. O-To
7. DOM
8. -
9. -
10. 125189
2. 181143
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 125190
1. הָ,אִשָּׁה
2. 181144,181145
3. the woman
4. woman
5. 802
6. O-Td,Ncfsa
7. the=woman
8. -
9. -
10. 125191
1. הַ,בָּאָה
2. 181146,181147
3. who is about to come
4. coming
5. 935
6. OV-Td,Vqrfsa
7. [who,is]_about_to_come
8. -
9. -
10. 125192
1. אֶל
2. 181148
3. into
4. -
5. 413
6. O-R
7. into
8. -
9. -
10. 125193
2. 181149
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 125194
1. בֵּיתֶ,ךָ
2. 181150,181151
3. house of your
4. -
6. O-Ncmsc,Sp2ms
7. house_of,your
8. -
9. -
10. 125195
1. כְּ,רָחֵל
2. 181152,181153
3. like Rāḩēl
4. Rachel
5. 7354
6. S-R,Np
7. like,Rachel
8. -
9. Person=Rachel
10. 125196
2. 181154
3. -
4. -
6. -x-paseq
8. -
9. -
10. 125197
1. וּ,כְ,לֵאָה
2. 181155,181156,181157
3. and like Lēʼāh
4. Leah
5. 3812
6. S-C,R,Np
7. and,like,Leah
8. -
9. Person=Leah
10. 125198
1. אֲשֶׁר
2. 181158
3. who
4. -
6. S-Tr
7. who
8. -
9. -
10. 125199
1. בָּנוּ
2. 181159
3. they built
4. -
5. 1129
6. V-Vqp3cp
7. they_built
8. -
9. -
10. 125200
1. שְׁתֵּי,הֶם
2. 181160,181161
3. the two of of them
4. two
5. 8147
6. S-Acfdc,Sp3mp
7. the_two_of,of_them
8. -
9. -
10. 125201
1. אֶת
2. 181162
3. DOM
4. -
5. 853
6. O-To
7. DOM
8. -
9. -
10. 125202
2. 181163
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 125203
1. בֵּית
2. 181164
3. the house of
4. -
6. O-Ncmsc
7. the_house_of
8. -
9. -
10. 125204
1. יִשְׂרָאֵל
2. 181165
3. Yisrāʼēl/(Israel)
4. Yisrael
5. 3478
6. O-Np
7. of_Israel
8. -
9. -
10. 125205
1. וַ,עֲשֵׂה
2. 181166,181167
3. and make
4. -
6. SV-C,Vqv2ms
7. and,make
8. -
9. -
10. 125206
2. 181168
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 125207
1. חַיִל
2. 181169
3. wealth
4. -
5. 2428
6. O-Ncmsa
7. wealth
8. -
9. -
10. 125208
1. בְּ,אֶפְרָתָה
2. 181170,181171
3. in ʼEfrātāh
4. Efratah
5. 672
6. S-R,Np
7. in,Ephrathah
8. -
9. Location=Ephrathah
10. 125209
1. וּ,קְרָא
2. 181172,181173
3. and proclaim
4. -
5. 7121
6. SV-C,Vqv2ms
7. and,proclaim
8. -
9. -
10. 125210
2. 181174
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 125211
1. שֵׁם
2. 181175
3. a name
4. -
5. 8034
6. O-Ncmsa
7. a_name
8. -
9. -
10. 125212
1. בְּ,בֵית
2. 181176,181177
3. in house of
4. -
6. S-R,Np
7. in=house_of
8. -
9. -
10. 125213
1. לָחֶם
2. 181178
3. leḩem
4. -
5. 1035
6. S-Np
7. -leḩem
8. -
9. -
10. 125214
2. 181179
3. -
4. -
6. -x-sof-pasuq
8. -
9. -
10. 125215

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–12: Boaz assumed responsibility for Ruth

In this final chapter of the book, Ruth received the reward for her loyalty to Naomi.

Boaz is in focus in the first twelve verses. He met with the other close relative in the presence of many witnesses to discuss the entire situation. The other relative did not want to buy Elimelech’s property that Naomi was selling, if the arrangement also meant that he had to marry Ruth. So Boaz said that he would act as the redeemer himself.

In section 4:13–17, Boaz and Ruth were married, and the LORD soon gave them a son. The women in Bethlehem named the son Obed and rejoiced that Naomi now had a “son” to carry on her family line and care for her in her old age. So both Naomi and Ruth were going to be cared for, and the women went from “emptiness” to “fullness.”

Section 4:18–22 concludes the book with a genealogy that lists of the family line of Perez, who was a son of Judah and grandson of Jacob (who is also called Israel). The family line is listed from Perez through Obed to King David.

Here are some other examples of section headings for 4:1–12:

Boaz Redeems Ruth (ESV)

Boaz Settles the Matter (NET)

Structure:

Some commentaries divide this section into four scenes:NICOT, Sakenfield, Cornerstone, and Sakenfield. These divide the scenes in at least two different ways.

4:1–2 Introduction: Boaz Convenes a Legal Assembly
4:3–8 Boaz Obtains the Rights of Redemption
4:9–10 Boaz Formalizes the Agreement
4:11–12 Witnessing and Blessing

One commentary divides this section into three scenes.Block (pages 203–204).

4:1–2 setting the stage for the legal drama
4:3–8 report of the legal drama
4:9–12 significance of legal drama

You may divide the paragraphs in these scenes in whatever way best fits the structure of your language.

Paragraph 4:11–12

This paragraph describes the blessing that was pronounced on Boaz, including wealth and a good reputation. It also describes the blessing that was given to Ruth that she would bear many children.

4:11a

“We are witnesses,”

¶ “Yes, we are witnesses!”
¶ “We have seen this and we will testify to it.”

“We are witnesses,”: The repetition of “We/You are witnesses in 4:9b, 4:10d, and 4:11a highlights the role of the witnesses.Block (pages 221–223).

4:11b

said the elders and all the people at the gate.

said the town leaders and all the people who were listening/observing in the gate area.
said the leading men of the town and the other people near the gate/meeting area.

said the elders and all the people at the gate: These people were the leading men of the town and the other people there at the town meeting place. See how you translated these two terms in 4:9a.

4:11c

“May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah,

May Yahweh cause this woman you are bringing into your home as your wife to bear children, just as he did for Rachel and Leah,
We pray that Yahweh will bless the woman who is becoming your wife. We pray that he will help her to have many children and descendants, as Rachel and Leah did.

May the LORD make the woman entering your home: This is a short prayer or blessing.

the woman: This refers to Ruth. You may refer to her by name if calling her the woman would be impolite or derogatory in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

May the Lord make your wife (GNT)

May the LORD cause your wife Ruth

entering your home: Here the people are speaking to Boaz. The pronoun translated “you” and your in 4:11c, 4:12a, and 4:12b are masculine singular in the Hebrew text.

Ruth was entering Boaz’s home, or into his “family” or “household,” as his wife. In some languages, it may be helpful to include this implied information. For example:

whom you are bringing into your home as your wife

like Rachel and Leah: These were the two wives of Jacob, a grandson of Abraham. If your readers do not know these names, you may want to give this information in a footnote. For example:

The people prayed that the LORD would bless Ruth by giving her children, who would themselves have many descendants. This is what the LORD had done for Rachel and Leah in Genesis chapters 29–30.

4:11d

who together built up the house of Israel.

who together made the people of Israel strong and numerous.
The two of them had many children and descendants, who became the nation of Israel.

who together built up the house of Israel: The many sons of Rachel and Leah were the founders of the nation of Israel. Rachel and Leah and their two servant girls gave birth to twelve sons. The twelve sons each became the head of a tribe within the descendants of Israel.

Although Zilpah and Bilhah, the women servants of Rachel and Leah, gave birth to four of the sons, all the sons were officially considered to be the children of Rachel and Leah.

built up: This means that they made Israel strong and numerous by having many descendants.

the house of Israel: Jacob was also known as Israel. There are two ways to interpret it here:

It refers to the nation or people of Israel who had descended from Jacob. For example:
from whom all the nation of Israel descended (NLT)
both of whom built our family of Israel (GW) (GW, NCV, NJB, NJPS, NLT)
It refers to the children and descendants of Jacob himself. For example:
like Rachel and Leah, who bore many children to Jacob (GNT) (CEV, GNT)

The versions that translate the Hebrew literally as “the house/family of Israel” are ambiguous.

(BSB, ESV, KJV, NABRE, NASB, NET, NIV, NRSV, REB).

Only one commentary clearly supports interpretation (2). You may follow any of the interpretations in your language.

house: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as house here refers a person’s descendants.

4:11e

May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem.

May you^(sing) greatly prosper in Ephrathah. May you^(sing) be well known in Bethlehem.
We pray that Yahweh will make you^(sing) wealthy and famous in our town Ephrathah, that is, Bethlehem.

May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem: Before the Notes discuss the interpretation of the blessings given here, it will be helpful to notice that this verse part has two parallel lines:

May you be prosperous in Ephrathah

and be famous in Bethlehem

in Ephrathah…in Bethlehem: Ephrathah is probably the name of a clan that lived in Bethlehem. This clan name was an old name for Bethlehem. Here it is a synonym for Bethlehem. In your translation, you may need to indicate that Bethlehem and Ephrathah are the same place.

There are four ways to interpret the Hebrew idiom that the BSB translates as “May you be prosperous”:

It refers to an increase in money and possessions. For example:
May you become rich… (GNT) (BSB, CEV, GNT, NABRE, NASB, NET, NJPS, NLT, RSV)
It refers to an increase in reputation and status. For example:
May you become powerful… (NCV) (NCV, NIV, NJB, NLT96)
It refers to good character. For example:
So show your strength of character… (GW) (ESV, GW, KJV, REB)

It refers to an increase in children. For example:

May you produce children (NRSV) (NRSV)Sakenfield (pages 76–78) says that the NRSV translation is overly influenced by the many references to bearing children, and that the phrase here has a much broader meaning. Cornerstone (page 575) supports this interpretation as “an affirmation of the stated intent of the new couple’s union,” which is fulfilled in the next verse.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The people prayed that as a result of his marriage, Boaz would prosper and grow rich. However, interpretation (2) is supported by the parallelism.UBS (pages 71–73), KD (page 359). EBC (page 1342) says that the union of Boaz and Ruth eventually gain fame for Bethlehem through the future King David and the Messiah. Interpretation (3) is supported by the Hebrew usage elsewhere.Schipper (pages 170–171) mentions “mighty man of worth” (2:1) and “woman of worth” (3:1).

and famous in Bethlehem: The Hebrew idiom that the BSB translates as famous is literally “call a name.” The people wanted Boaz to get a well-known name, or gain a good reputation, as a result of the many children and descendants they hoped he would have.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

הָ⁠עָ֧ם אֲשֶׁר־בַּ⁠שַּׁ֛עַר

the,people which/who [was]_at,gate

The implication is that the people who were in the gate are the same people who heard and observed the meeting between Boaz and the man who had been first as kinsman-redeemer. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the people who had observed Boaz’s meeting with the first kinsman-redeemer]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

הַ⁠בָּאָ֣ה אֶל־בֵּיתֶ֗⁠ךָ

[who,is]_about_to_come to/towards house_of,your

This has both a literal and a figurative meaning. As Ruth marries Boaz, she will move into his physical house. “House” can be a metonym that represents “family,” so this also refers to becoming part of Boaz’s family by being his wife. Alternate translation: [who is becoming part of your family]

Note 3 topic: translate-blessing

יִתֵּן֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֶֽת־הָ⁠אִשָּׁ֜ה הַ⁠בָּאָ֣ה אֶל־בֵּיתֶ֗⁠ךָ כְּ⁠רָחֵ֤ל ׀ וּ⁠כְ⁠לֵאָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנ֤וּ שְׁתֵּי⁠הֶם֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

he/it_gave YHWH DOM the=woman [who,is]_about_to_come to/towards house_of,your like,Rachel and,like,Leah which/who they_had_built the_two_of,of_them DOM house_of Yisrael

Here, the people are asking God to bless Ruth. Their blessing continues for Ruth and Boaz through verse 12. You could express this as either a blessing or a prayer, in whichever way is more natural in your language. Alternate translation: [We ask Yahweh to make this woman who is coming into your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built up the house of Israel]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

כְּ⁠רָחֵ֤ל ׀ וּ⁠כְ⁠לֵאָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנ֤וּ שְׁתֵּי⁠הֶם֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

like,Rachel and,like,Leah which/who they_had_built the_two_of,of_them DOM house_of Yisrael

Rachel and Leah are the names of two women, the two wives of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. They are considered to be the female ancestors of the people of Israel. They had many children, so implied in this blessing is the request that God give Ruth many children. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [like Rachel and Leah, who bore many children who then became the nation of Israel]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

בָּנ֤וּ & אֶת־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

they_had_built & DOM house_of Yisrael

Here the people are speaking of the nation of Israel as if it were a house. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [bore many children who then became the nation of Israel]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism

וַ⁠עֲשֵׂה־חַ֣יִל בְּ⁠אֶפְרָ֔תָה וּ⁠קְרָא־שֵׁ֖ם בְּ⁠בֵ֥ית לָֽחֶם

and,make powerful in,Ephrathah and,proclaim name_of in=house_of -leḩem

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. The area around the town of Bethlehem was known as Ephrathah, and that became another name for the town. Presumably, this name came from the Israelite clan that settled in and around the city of Bethlehem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the phrases with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: [May you prosper among your clan of Ephrathah, yes, may you be important in Bethlehem]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative

וַ⁠עֲשֵׂה־חַ֣יִל בְּ⁠אֶפְרָ֔תָה וּ⁠קְרָא־שֵׁ֖ם בְּ⁠בֵ֥ית לָֽחֶם

and,make powerful in,Ephrathah and,proclaim name_of in=house_of -leḩem

The verbs here are command forms, but they communicate the good desire of the people rather than commands. They serve to continue the blessing while shifting it from Ruth to Boaz. Use the style of blessing that is appropriate in your language. Alternate translation: [And you, Boaz, may you prosper among your clan of Ephrathah, yes, may you be important in Bethlehem]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The Hebrew text, lemmas, and morphology are all thanks to the OSHB and some of the glosses are from Macula Hebrew.

OET interlinear RUTH 4:11

Hebrew word order