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Ruth 4:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Ruth 4:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Ruth 4:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Ruth 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not left thee this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel.
15And he shall be unto thee a restorer of life, and a nourisher of thine old age, for thy daughter-in-law, who loveth thee, who is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him.
16And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
17And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez begat Hezron,
19and Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
20and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
← Ruth 4:16Ruth 4:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the women her neighbours gave it a name, etc.] Josephus says f80 Naomi gave it, by the advice of her neighbours; very probably on the eighth day when he was circumcised, and the neighbours were invited on that occasion, at which time it seems it was usual to give names to children, (see <420159>Luke 1:59). The Romans gave names to females on the eighth day, to the males on the ninth; hence the goddess Nundina had her name f81; the Greeks generally on the tenth, sometimes on the seventh f82: it was commonly the province of the father to give the name, and sometimes his neighbours and nearest friends were called, and in their presence the name was given, and by any of them he should choose…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“SHE BEARS OBED. (Rut 4:13-18) Obed--means "servant."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Obed - i. e. serving, with allusion to the service of love and duty which he would render to his grandmother Naomi. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A name - That is, they gave her advice about his name; for otherwise they had no power or right to do so. Obed - A servant, to thee, to nourish, and comfort, and assist thee; which duty childrren owe to their progenitors. Next: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) Chapter 1”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the women: Luk 1:58-63 Obed: That is, δουλευων, serving, or a servant, as Josephus interprets it. Rut 4:15 Ruth 4:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification