Ruth 4:5

Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitesse, the wife of the dead, to raise vp the name of the dead vpon his inheritance. Ruth 4:5 (KJV)

The book of Ruth records the faithful journey of a Moabite woman named Ruth, who after the death of her husband chose to remain with her mother‑in‑law Naomi. In chapter 4 Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s deceased husband, moves to redeem the field that belonged to the dead man and to secure the continuation of his family line.

Boaz addresses a nearer kinsman who has the first right to redeem the property. He makes clear that if the nearer relative wishes to buy the field, he must also take Ruth, the widow, as his wife in order to “raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.” This reflects the levirate marriage custom, whereby a close relative assumes responsibility for the widow and for producing offspring for the deceased.

In the Old Testament, redemption is closely linked to the protection of a family’s inheritance. Land represented the heritage and the blessings promised by God; therefore redeeming the field was not merely a financial transaction but a means of preserving the lineage and the covenant promises attached to that inheritance.

Ruth’s presence in this transaction is significant. Though she was a Moabite and not originally part of the Israelite community, her loyalty to Naomi brings her into the very line that leads to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ. Her inclusion demonstrates God’s willingness to incorporate outsiders into His redemptive plan and underscores His faithfulness to fulfill His promises.

The narrative also carries symbolic weight. Boaz functions as a type of the Messiah, the kinsman‑redeemer who rescues and restores, while Ruth, a Gentile woman, symbolizes the inclusion of the nations in God’s covenant blessings.

From this passage we learn enduring lessons of loyalty, faithfulness, and divine providence. God can work through unlikely individuals and circumstances to achieve His purposes. The story calls believers to care for widows, extend kindness to foreigners, and reflect God’s love and compassion in all relationships.