Rut 4:13-17 | NET2full | STEP | So Boaz married Ruth and slept with her. The Lord enabled her to conceive and she gave birth to a son .

‏ Ruth 4:13-17

A Grandson is Born to Naomi

13 So Boaz married Ruth and slept with her. ^{▼▼tn Heb “and Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife and he approached her.” The verb לָקַח (laqakh), “to take,” acts as in idiom meaning “to take [a wife], to marry.” The phrase בּוֹא אֶל (boʾ ʾel) means “come to” or “approach,” but is also used as a euphemism for sexual relations.} The Lord enabled her to conceive ^{▼▼tn Heb “gave her conception” (so KJV); NRSV “made her conceive”; NLT “enabled her to become pregnant.”} and she gave birth to a son. 14 The village women said to Naomi, “May the Lord be praised because he has not left you without a guardian ^{▼▼tn Or “redeemer.” See the note on the phrase “guardian of the family interests” in 3:9. As the following context indicates, the child is referred to here.} today! May he ^{▼▼tn The “guardian” is the subject of the verb, as the next verse makes clear.} become famous in Israel! ^{▼▼tn Heb “may his name be called [i.e., “perpetuated”; see Gen 48:16] in Israel.”} 15 He will encourage you and provide for you when you are old, ^{▼▼tn Heb “and he will become for you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age” (NASB similar).} for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, has given him birth. She ^{▼▼tn Heb “who, she”; KJV “which is better to thee.”} is better to you than seven sons!” 16 Naomi took the child and placed him on her lap; ^{▼▼tn Or “breast”; KJV, NRSV “in her bosom.”} she became his caregiver. ^{▼▼tn Heb “his nurse,” but this refers to a dry nurse, not a medical attendant. Cf. NIV “and cared for him”; TEV “and took (+ good CEV) care of him.”} 17 The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. ^{▼▼tn The name “Obed” means “one who serves,” perhaps anticipating how he would help Naomi (see v. 15).} Now he became the father of Jesse—David’s father.