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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 4:2 Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, "Sit here," and they did so.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ruth/4-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/08_Rut_04_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ruth 4:2 - Boaz Redeems Ruth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, Sit here, and they did so." /><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'; 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And they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ruth/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ruth/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ruth/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He took ten men of the elders of the city and said, &#8220Sit down here.&#8221 So they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ruth/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ruth/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ruth/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Boaz took ten men from the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” And they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ruth/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Boaz took ten men of the town’s elders and said, “Sit here.” And they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ruth/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Boaz took 10 men of the town&#8217s elders and said, &#8220Sit here.&#8221 And they sat down. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ruth/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ruth/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then Boaz got ten of the town leaders and also asked them to sit down. After they had sat down, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ruth/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ruth/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Boaz chose ten men who were leaders of that city and said, "Sit here." So they also sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ruth/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then Boaz got ten of the leaders of the town and asked them to sit down there too. When they were seated, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ruth/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Boaz selected ten of the town elders and spoke to them, "Sit down here." So they sat down <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ruth/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, ?Sit here,? and they did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ruth/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Boaz chose ten of the village leaders and said, "Sit down here!" So they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ruth/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, "Sit down here." They sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ruth/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ruth/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here,” and they sat down. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ruth/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he takes ten men from [the] elderly of the city, and says, “Sit down here”; and they sit down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ruth/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he taketh ten men of the elders of the city, and saith, 'Sit down here;' and they sit down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ruth/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will take ten men from the old men of the city, and he will say, Sit ye down here. And they will sit down.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ruth/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Booz taking ten men of the ancients of the city, said to them: Sit ye down here. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ruth/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But Boaz, calling aside ten men among the elders of the city, said to them, “Sit down here.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ruth/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Boaz picked out ten of the elders of the town and asked them to sit nearby. When they had done this,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ruth/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here”; so they sat down.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ruth/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Boaz selected ten men of the elders of the city, and seated them by him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ruth/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he chose for himself ten men from the Elders of the city and sat them with 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 he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said: 'Sit ye down here.' And they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ruth/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Booz took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye here; and they sat down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ruth/4-2.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=702" 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 Redeems Ruth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">Then Boaz took</a> <a href="/hebrew/6235.htm" title="6235: ‘ă·śā·rāh (Number-ms) -- Ten. Masculine of term aasarah; from asar; ten.">ten</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’ă·nā·šîm (N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: miz·ziq·nê (Prep-m:: Adj-mpc) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">of the elders</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">of the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: šə·ḇū- (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">“Sit</a> <a href="/hebrew/6311.htm" title="6311: p̄ōh (Adv) -- Here, hither. Or po; or pow; probably from a primitive inseparable particle p and huw'; this place, i.e. Here or hence.">here,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: way·yê·šê·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">and they did so.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>And he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech.…<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="/deuteronomy/25-7.htm">Deuteronomy 25:7-10</a></span><br />But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” / Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak with him. If he persists and says, “I do not want to marry her,” / his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal, spit in his face, and declare, “This is what is done to the man who will not maintain his brother’s line.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/23-10.htm">Genesis 23:10-18</a></span><br />Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth. So in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city, Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham, / “No, my lord. Listen to me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.” / Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-10.htm">Jeremiah 32:10-12</a></span><br />I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. / Then I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions, as well as the open copy— / and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-25.htm">Leviticus 25:25</a></span><br />If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/27-8.htm">Numbers 27:8-11</a></span><br />Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. / If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. / If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-12.htm">Deuteronomy 19:12</a></span><br />the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-12.htm">1 Samuel 9:12-13</a></span><br />“Yes, he is ahead of you,” they answered. “Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place. / As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will eat. Go up at once; you will find him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/15-2.htm">2 Samuel 15:2</a></span><br />He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-23.htm">Proverbs 31:23</a></span><br />Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-26.htm">Isaiah 1:26</a></span><br />I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning. After that you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Matthew 18:16</a></span><br />But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-59.htm">Matthew 26:59-60</a></span><br />Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-48.htm">Luke 24:48</a></span><br />You are witnesses of these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17</a></span><br />Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a></span><br />But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit you down here. And they sat down.</p><p class="hdg">the elders</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/18-21.htm">Exodus 18:21,22</a></b></br> Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place <i>such</i> over them, <i>to be</i> rulers of thousands, <i>and</i> rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-8.htm">Exodus 21:8</a></b></br> If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/29-10.htm">Deuteronomy 29:10</a></b></br> Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, <i>with</i> all the men of Israel,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ruth/4-1.htm">Boaz</a> <a href="/ruth/3-15.htm">City</a> <a href="/judges/21-16.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/judges/21-16.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/ruth/4-1.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/judges/3-20.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-32.htm">Seats</a> <a href="/ruth/4-1.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/ruth/1-4.htm">Ten</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ruth/4-5.htm">Boaz</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-3.htm">City</a> <a href="/ruth/4-4.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/ruth/4-9.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-9.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/ruth/4-4.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-10.htm">Seats</a> <a href="/ruth/4-4.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-8.htm">Ten</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>Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city</b><br>In ancient Israel, elders were respected leaders and decision-makers within the community. The number ten is significant as it often represents completeness or a quorum in Jewish tradition, such as in a minyan, the quorum required for certain religious obligations. Boaz's choice to gather ten elders underscores the importance and formality of the proceedings. This gathering reflects the legal and communal practices of the time, where elders would serve as witnesses to transactions and agreements, ensuring that the actions taken were recognized and binding within the community.<p><b>and said, “Sit here,”</b><br>Boaz's directive to the elders to "sit here" indicates his authority and the respect he commanded within the community. Sitting was a posture of deliberation and judgment, suggesting that a formal legal proceeding was about to take place. This setting at the city gate, a common place for legal matters and public business, highlights the transparency and public nature of the transaction. The city gate was a central location where justice was administered, and community issues were addressed, as seen in other biblical accounts such as in the story of Lot in <a href="/genesis/19.htm">Genesis 19:1</a>.<p><b>and they did so.</b><br>The elders' compliance with Boaz's request demonstrates their recognition of the importance of the matter at hand and their respect for Boaz. Their willingness to participate also reflects the communal nature of decision-making in ancient Israel, where the involvement of respected leaders lent legitimacy to the proceedings. This act of sitting and witnessing would ensure that the transaction was conducted according to the law and customs of the time, providing a legal and social framework for the redemption process that Boaz was about to undertake.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/boaz.htm">Boaz</a></b><br>A prominent and wealthy man from Bethlehem, Boaz is a kinsman-redeemer for Ruth. His actions in this chapter demonstrate his integrity and adherence to the law.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/elders_of_the_city.htm">Elders of the City</a></b><br>These are respected leaders within the community of Bethlehem. Their role is to witness and validate legal transactions, ensuring that community standards and laws are upheld.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_city_gate.htm">The City Gate</a></b><br>The city gate was a central place for legal matters, business transactions, and public gatherings in ancient Israelite society. It served as a courtroom and a place for public discourse.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/ruth.htm">Ruth</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Ruth is the Moabite widow whose loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi and faith in the God of Israel are central to the account.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/n/naomi.htm">Naomi</a></b><br>Ruth's mother-in-law, who returned to Bethlehem with Ruth after the death of her husband and sons. She plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's providential plan.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community_witness.htm">The Importance of Community Witness</a></b><br>Boaz's gathering of the elders underscores the importance of community involvement and accountability in legal and personal matters. In our lives, involving trusted community members in significant decisions can provide wisdom and support.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_action.htm">Integrity in Action</a></b><br>Boaz's actions reflect his integrity and commitment to doing what is right according to God's law. As believers, we are called to act with integrity, even when it requires effort and public accountability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_providence_in_legal_matters.htm">God's Providence in Legal Matters</a></b><br>The legal proceedings at the city gate are part of God's providential plan to bring about His purposes. Trusting in God's sovereignty, we can have confidence that He is at work in the details of our lives, including legal and relational matters.<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/what_does_it_mean_to_rest_in_god.htm">What is a kinsman redeemer in the Book of Ruth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_doesn't_ruth_3_10_address_age_dynamics.htm">If Boaz was significantly older, as some traditions suggest (Ruth 3:10), why would the text not address more clearly the potential social or power dynamics in this union?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_the_ruth_4_7_shoe_ritual_unique.htm">In Ruth 4:7, is the 'shoe exchange' ceremony documented elsewhere in ancient Near Eastern records, or is it unique to this text?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happened_at_the_bible's_city_gate.htm">What events occurred at the city gate in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ruth/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he took ten men of the elderly inhabitants of the city, and he said, Sit ye here; and they sat down.</span> Boaz wished to have a full complement of witnesses to the important transaction which he contemplated. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ruth/4-2.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">Then Boaz took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקַּ֞ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine 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">ten</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲשָׂרָ֧ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·śā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6235.htm">Strong's 6235: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the elders</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזִּקְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(miz·ziq·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the city</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעִ֖יר</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Sit</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁבוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḇū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">here,”</span><br /><span class="heb">פֹ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6311.htm">Strong's 6311: </a> </span><span class="str2">This place, here</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they did so.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּשֵֽׁבוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·šê·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ruth/4-2.htm">Ruth 4:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ruth/4-2.htm">Ruth 4:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ruth/4-2.htm">Ruth 4:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ruth/4-2.htm">Ruth 4:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ruth/4-2.htm">Ruth 4:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ruth/4-2.htm">Ruth 4:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ruth/4-2.htm">Ruth 4:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ruth/4-2.htm">Ruth 4:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ruth/4-2.htm">Ruth 4:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ruth/4-2.htm">Ruth 4:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ruth/4-2.htm">OT History: Ruth 4:2 He took ten men of the elders (Ru Rut.)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ruth/4-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ruth 4:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ruth 4:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ruth/4-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ruth 4:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ruth 4:3" /></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>