Ruth 4

Ruth 4:1

TO the gate] Of the city, which anciently was the place of publicke Assemblies, and Counsels.

Ruth 4:2

Of the Elders] Namely of the Magistrates, and Councellors.

Ruth 4:3

Selleth] Through poverty, and for want of meanes, Leviticus 25:25.

Ruth 4:4

Before] Judicially and according to due course of Law, solemnly.

Ruth 4:5

Thou must buy it] The right that thou hast to redeem it, is not only by reason of thine affinity with Naomi, but with Ruth also, which bindeth thee to marry her, that the childe which shall be born therof, may beare the deceased husbands name, and enter upon his inheritance.

Ruth 4:6

Lest I mar] Begetting children on another mans bed, whereby mine inheritance would diminish and be divided. For it is likely that he was a widdower, and had children by another wife.

Ruth 4:7

Changing] Or yeelding up of rights to one another: A man] Namely he that yeelded the right and gave it to him that he yeelded it unto, in token of the dispossessing himselfe. In this ceremony, there was some resemblance of that which had been appointed by Moses, Deuteronomy 25:9. but only there was some alteration crept in: And this was] By this formality the yeelding, or cession was ratified.

Ruth 4:10

From the gate] From his city, from amongst the citizens of his city.

Ruth 4:11

Did build] Did increase his houshold, and laid the foundation of that nation, which is come out of it: Do thou worthily] the Italian hath it, Make thy selfe mighty] by meanes of a numerous posterity: Ephratah] See Genesis, Chapter 35. verse 19.

Ruth 4:16

Laid it] Shee tooke an especiall care of it, and brought him up very tenderly.

Ruth 4:21

Salmon] Which is the same as Salma