Bible Strands
Ruth 4:13
So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Boaz taking Ruth as his wife and the subsequent birth of their son, immediately following the elders' blessing and the women's affirmation of God's provision through a kinsman-redeemer.
The words — The verb וַ/יָּבֹא (va/i.ya.Vo') literally means "and he went," used here idiomatically for marital relations, while אֵלֶ֑י/הָ ('e.Lei./ha) indicates direction "into her."
The thread — This pattern of divine intervention in conception appears in Genesis 29:31, where the LORD opens Leah's womb, and is echoed in Psalm 127:3, which identifies children as a heritage from the LORD.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that human covenant action and divine sovereignty operate together to fulfill lineage promises, requiring the reader to acknowledge God's active role in both biological and redemptive history.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son.
Cross-references
- Genesis 29:31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.
- Genesis 33:5 When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “These are the children God has graciously given your servant.”
- Psalms 127:3 Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
- Ruth 3:11 And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.
- Genesis 25:21 Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.
- Genesis 30:2 Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”
- Genesis 30:22 Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb,
- Ruth 4:12 And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.”
- 1 Samuel 1:27 I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him,
- 1 Samuel 2:5 The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away.