Ruth Chapter 4

“Then went Boaz up to the gate, etc.] In the middle of the day, as Josephus f68 says, to the gate of the city, where people were continually passing and repassing to and from the country, and where he was most likely to meet with the person he wanted to see and converse with, and where courts of judicature were usually held, and where it was proper to call one to determine the affair he had in hand; so the Targum, “and Boaz went up to the gate of the house of judgment of the sanhedrim:” and set him down there; waiting for the person or persons passing by, with whom be chose to speak: and, behold, the kinsman of…”

“BOAZ CALLS INTO JUDGMENT THE NEXT KINSMAN. (Rut 4:1-5) Then went Boaz up to the gate of the city--a roofed building, unenclosed by walls; the place where, in ancient times, and in many Eastern towns still, all business transactions are made, and where, therefore, the kinsman was most likely to be found. No preliminaries were necessary in summoning one before the public assemblage; no writings and no delay were required. In a short conversation the matter was stated and arranged--probably in the morning as people went out, or at noon when they returned from the field.”

“The gate is the place of concourse, of business, and of justice in Oriental cities (see Judges 19:15 note; Genesis 34:20; Deuteronomy 16:18). Ho, such a one! - Indicating that the name of the kinsman was either unknown or purposely concealed 1 Samuel 21:2; 2 Kings 6:8. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Ten men - To be witnesses: for though two or three witnesses were sufficient, yet in weightier matters they used more. And ten was the usual number among the Jews, in causes of matrimony and divorce, and translation of inheritances; who were both judges of the causes, and witnesses of the fact. Ruth 4:3”

“4:1 Most legal transactions, including property transfers, were carried out at the town gate. • friend: Boaz might or might not have used the man’s name, but the author of Ruth avoided doing so.”

“to the gate: Deu 16:18, Deu 17:5, Deu 21:19, Deu 25:7; Job 29:7, Job 31:21; Amo 5:10-12, Amo 5:15 the kinsman: Rut 3:12 such: Isa 55:1; Zac 2:6 Ruth 4:2”

“"Boaz had gone up to the gate, and had sat down there." This circumstantial clause introduces the account of the further development of the affair. The gate, i.e., the open space before the city gate, was the forum of the city, the place where the public affairs of the city were discussed. The expression "went up" is not to be understood as signifying that Boaz went up from the threshing-floor where he had slept tot the city, which was situated upon higher ground, for, according to Rut 3:15, he had already gone to the city before he went up to the gate; but it is to be explained as referring to the place of…”