Ruth 4 in the early church
19 passages quote, allude to, or echo Ruth 4, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 6 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 11 · 13 · 17 · 18 · 20
Ruth 4:6
The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth 4:6 | Homilies on Matthew 70.2 · John Chrysostom | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 390 |
| Ruth 4:6–10 | Part 2, chapter 24 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage | allusion, high confidence | ca. 445-450 |
Ruth 4:7
Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth 4:7–8 | To Quirinus 2.19 · Cyprian of Carthage | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Ruth 4:7 | On the Christian Faith 3.10 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 378–380 |
| Ruth 4:7 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.64.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Ruth 4:8
So the kinsman-redeemer removed his sandal and said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth 4:8 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.64.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Ruth 4:10
Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth 4:10 | On the Good of Widowhood 10 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 414 |
Ruth 4:11
“We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth 4:11 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.64.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Ruth 4:13
So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth 4:13–22 | Demonstration 16.6 · Aphrahat | allusion, high confidence | 337-345 |
| Ruth 4:13 | Eleven Tractates 10.139 · Priscillian | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380–385 |
| Ruth 4:13 | On the Good of Widowhood 5 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 414 |
| Ruth 4:13 | On the Good of Widowhood 10 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 414 |
| Ruth 4:13–17 | Part 2, chapter 24 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage | allusion, high confidence | ca. 445-450 |
Ruth 4:17
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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth 4:17 | Tractates on the Psalms 59.11 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ruth 4:17 | Homilies on Matthew 3.4 · John Chrysostom | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390 |
Ruth 4:18
Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth 4:18 | Dialogue with Trypho 120.2 · Justin Martyr | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Ruth 4:18 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 4.2.2 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374-377 |
Ruth 4:20
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, Nahshon was the father of Salmon,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth 4:20 | Letter 36.11 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ruth 4:20 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 8.2.3 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374-377 |