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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ruth 4:16 And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ruth/4-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/08_Rut_04_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ruth 4:16 - Boaz Marries Ruth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ruth/4-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ruth/4-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ruth/">Ruth</a> > <a href="/ruth/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ruth/4-15.htm" title="Ruth 4:15">◄</a> Ruth 4:16 <a href="/ruth/4-17.htm" title="Ruth 4:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ruth/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ruth/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ruth/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ruth/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ruth/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ruth/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ruth/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ruth/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ruth/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ruth/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ruth/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Naomi took the child and put him on her bosom and became his nurse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ruth/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Naomi took the child and placed him in her lap, and she became his nurse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ruth/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a mother to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ruth/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and took care of him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ruth/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ruth/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Naomi loved the boy and took good care of him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ruth/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ruth/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Naomi took the child, held him on her lap, and became his guardian.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ruth/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Naomi took the child, held him close, and took care of him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ruth/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Naomi took care of the child, taking him to her breast and becoming his nurse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ruth/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ruth/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Naomi took the child and placed him on her lap; she became his caregiver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ruth/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and looked after him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ruth/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became its nurse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ruth/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Naomi took the child, laid him in her bosom, and became nurse to him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ruth/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Naomi takes the boy, and lays him in her bosom, and is to him for a nurse;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ruth/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Naomi taketh the lad, and layeth him in her bosom, and is to him for a nurse;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ruth/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Naomi will take the child and put him in her bosom, and she will be to him for nurse.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ruth/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Noemi taking the child laid it in her bosom, and she carried it, and was a nurse unto it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ruth/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And taking up the boy, Naomi placed him on her bosom, and she took on the duties of carrying him and nursing him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ruth/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Naomi took the boy, cradled him against her breast, and cared for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ruth/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ruth/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Naomi took the child, and laid him in her bosom, and became nurse to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ruth/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Namei carried the boy and she laid him in her lap and she was a nursemaid to him<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ruth/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ruth/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Noemin took the child and laid it in her bosom, and became a nurse to it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ruth/4-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LT1nlCXT1mU?start=891" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ruth/4.htm">Boaz Marries Ruth</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5281.htm" title="5281: nā·‘o·mî (N-proper-fs) -- Mother-in-law of Ruth. From no'am; pleasant; Noomi, an Israelitess.">And Naomi</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wat·tiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/3206.htm" title="3206: hay·ye·leḏ (Art:: N-ms) -- Child, son, boy, youth. From yalad; something born, i.e. A lad or offspring.">the child,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7896.htm" title="7896: wat·tə·ši·ṯê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs:: 3ms) -- To put, set. A primitive root; to place.">placed him</a> <a href="/hebrew/2436.htm" title="2436: ḇə·ḥê·qāh (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- Bosom. Or cheq; and chowq; from an unused root, apparently meaning to inclose; the bosom.">on her lap,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wat·tə·hî- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and became</a> <a href="/hebrew/539.htm" title="539: lə·’ō·me·neṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To confirm, support. ">a nurse</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">to him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse, the father of David.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1-7</a></span><br />Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. / And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-20.htm">1 Samuel 1:20-28</a></span><br />So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.” / Then Elkanah and all his house went up to make the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow, / but Hannah did not go. “After the boy is weaned,” she said to her husband, “I will take him to appear before the LORD and to stay there permanently.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-17.htm">2 Kings 4:17-37</a></span><br />But the woman did conceive, and at that time the next year she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. / And the child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the harvesters. / “My head! My head!” he complained to his father. So his father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-22.htm">Genesis 30:22-24</a></span><br />Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. “God has taken away my shame,” she said. / She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-1.htm">Exodus 2:1-10</a></span><br />Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months. / But when she could no longer hide him, she got him a papyrus basket and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in the basket and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/17-17.htm">1 Kings 17:17-24</a></span><br />Later, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill, and his sickness grew worse and worse, until no breath remained in him. / “O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?” / But Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/4-4.htm">2 Samuel 4:4</a></span><br />And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to escape, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Isaiah 49:15</a></span><br />“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/48-9.htm">Genesis 48:9-20</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, “They are the sons God has given me in this place.” So Jacob said, “Please bring them to me, that I may bless them.” / Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them. / “I never expected to see your face again,” Israel said to Joseph, “but now God has let me see your children as well.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/1-5.htm">2 Timothy 1:5</a></span><br />I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-25.htm">Luke 2:25-38</a></span><br />Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. / The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. / Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Matthew 1:5-6</a></span><br />Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, / and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-57.htm">Luke 1:57-66</a></span><br />When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. / Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. / On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-10.htm">1 Timothy 5:10</a></span><br />and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-1.htm">Acts 16:1-3</a></span><br />Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father. / The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. / Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse to it.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/20-1.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-56.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/judges/19-20.htm">Care</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-10.htm">Cared</a> <a href="/ruth/4-13.htm">Child</a> <a href="/ruth/3-15.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/numbers/27-23.htm">Layeth</a> <a href="/ruth/4-14.htm">Naomi</a> <a href="/ruth/4-14.htm">Na'omi</a> <a href="/numbers/11-12.htm">Nurse</a> <a href="/judges/20-43.htm">Round</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/16-21.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-3.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-5.htm">Care</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-24.htm">Cared</a> <a href="/ruth/4-17.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-6.htm">Layeth</a> <a href="/ruth/4-17.htm">Naomi</a> <a href="/ruth/4-17.htm">Na'omi</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-4.htm">Nurse</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-14.htm">Round</a><div class="vheading2">Ruth 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/4-1.htm">Boaz calls into judgment the next kinsman</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/4-6.htm">He refuses the redemption according to the manner in Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/4-9.htm">Boaz buys the inheritance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/4-11.htm">He marries Ruth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/4-13.htm">She bears Obed, the grandfather of David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/4-18.htm">The generations of Pharez unto David</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ruth/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ruth/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ruth/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And Naomi took the child</b><br>Naomi, who had experienced great loss with the deaths of her husband and sons, now finds joy and restoration through the birth of her grandson, Obed. This act signifies a turning point in her life, symbolizing hope and redemption. The child is a direct result of the levirate marriage between Ruth and Boaz, which was a cultural practice to preserve family lineage (<a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-10</a>). Naomi's involvement highlights the importance of family and community in God's plan.<p><b>placed him on her lap</b><br>This gesture is one of affection and acceptance, indicating Naomi's role in the child's life. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, placing a child on one's lap could symbolize adoption or claiming the child as one's own. This act also reflects the deep bond and love within the family, as Naomi embraces her role as grandmother. It is reminiscent of other biblical instances where children are blessed or claimed, such as Jacob blessing his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh (<a href="/genesis/48-12.htm">Genesis 48:12</a>).<p><b>and became a nurse to him</b><br>Naomi's role as a nurse, or caregiver, emphasizes her active participation in the child's upbringing. This reflects the communal nature of child-rearing in ancient Israel, where extended family members played significant roles. The term "nurse" here does not imply breastfeeding but rather a nurturing and guiding presence. This nurturing role can be seen as a type of God's care for His people, providing guidance and support. Naomi's involvement also foreshadows the significant role Obed will play as the grandfather of King David, linking to the Messianic lineage of Jesus Christ (<a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Matthew 1:5-6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/naomi.htm">Naomi</a></b><br>A central figure in the Book of Ruth, Naomi is Ruth's mother-in-law. She experienced great loss but is now experiencing restoration and joy through the birth of her grandson.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/r/ruth.htm">Ruth</a></b><br>A Moabite woman who showed great loyalty to Naomi. Her marriage to Boaz and the birth of her son, Obed, are pivotal events in this account.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/boaz.htm">Boaz</a></b><br>A kinsman-redeemer who marries Ruth. His actions are crucial in the restoration of Naomi's family line.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/o/obed.htm">Obed</a></b><br>The child born to Ruth and Boaz, who becomes the grandfather of King David, signifying the continuation of a significant lineage.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethlehem.htm">Bethlehem</a></b><br>The setting of this account, a town with deep biblical significance, later known as the birthplace of Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_redemption_and_restoration.htm">God's Redemption and Restoration</a></b><br>Naomi's account illustrates God's ability to restore and redeem even the most broken situations. Her joy in Obed reflects God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_family_and_community.htm">The Role of Family and Community</a></b><br>The community's involvement in Naomi's life and the birth of Obed shows the importance of support and shared joy within a faith community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_god's_sovereignty.htm">Legacy and God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Obed's birth is a reminder of how God weaves individual accounts into His greater plan, emphasizing the significance of faithfulness and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faithful_relationships.htm">The Importance of Faithful Relationships</a></b><br>Ruth's loyalty to Naomi and Boaz's role as a redeemer highlight the power of faithful relationships in fulfilling God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/joy_in_new_beginnings.htm">Joy in New Beginnings</a></b><br>Naomi's transformation from bitterness to joy encourages believers to trust in God's timing and His ability to bring new beginnings.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ruth_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ruth 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_naomi_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Naomi in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_book_of_ruth_about.htm">What is the story and significance of the Book of Ruth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_events_in_ruth's_story.htm">What are the key events in Ruth's story?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ruth_1_1_align_with_judges'_era.htm">How does the timeline in Ruth 1:1 align with or contradict other biblical accounts of the era of the judges?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ruth/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Nurse.</span>--The verb (<span class= "ital">aman</span>) here is that used in <a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm" title="And kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers: they shall bow down to you with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet; and you shall know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.">Isaiah 49:23</a>, "and kings shall be thy <span class= "ital">nursing fathers." </span>That ordinarily used for the natural nursing of a woman is different.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ruth/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Naomi took the boy, and placed him in her bosom, and she became his foster-mother. She became his nurse in chief.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ruth/4-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And Naomi</span><br /><span class="heb">נָעֳמִ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(nā·‘o·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5281.htm">Strong's 5281: </a> </span><span class="str2">Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּקַּ֨ח</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the child,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיֶּ֙לֶד֙</span> <span class="translit">(hay·ye·leḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3206.htm">Strong's 3206: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something born, a lad, offspring</span><br /><br /><span class="word">placed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּשִׁתֵ֣הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·ši·ṯê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7896.htm">Strong's 7896: </a> </span><span class="str2">To put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him on her lap,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְחֵיקָ֔הּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·ḥê·qāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2436.htm">Strong's 2436: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bosom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and became</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּהִי־</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·hî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a nurse</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאֹמֶֽנֶת׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ō·me·neṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_539.htm">Strong's 539: </a> </span><span class="str2">To confirm, support</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to him.</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ruth/4-16.htm">Ruth 4:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ruth/4-16.htm">Ruth 4:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ruth/4-16.htm">Ruth 4:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ruth/4-16.htm">Ruth 4:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ruth/4-16.htm">Ruth 4:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ruth/4-16.htm">Ruth 4:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ruth/4-16.htm">Ruth 4:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ruth/4-16.htm">Ruth 4:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ruth/4-16.htm">Ruth 4:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ruth/4-16.htm">Ruth 4:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ruth/4-16.htm">OT History: Ruth 4:16 Naomi took the child and laid it (Ru Rut.)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ruth/4-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ruth 4:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ruth 4:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ruth/4-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ruth 4:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ruth 4:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>