And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
Ruth's value declared: 'And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age'. The women prophesy that the child will restore Naomi's vitality and provide for her in old age—promises that David's eventual care for his family would fulfill. Then the remarkable statement: 'For thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him'. This extraordinary declaration values Ruth above the hypothetically perfect family (seven sons representing completeness). The women recognize Ruth's chesed (covenant love) as surpassing biological family ties. Her faithful, sacrificial love demonstrated covenant loyalty exceeding natural obligations. This validates Ruth's incorporation into Israel—she's not merely tolerated foreigner but celebrated as Israel's ideal.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern culture particularly valued sons as providers, protectors, and perpetuators of family name. Daughters married and left; sons remained and cared for parents. The declaration that one foreign daughter-in-law equals or exceeds seven sons represented ultimate commendation. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Mediterranean societies favored sons for economic and social reasons. That Bethlehem's women publicly declared Ruth 'better than seven sons' demonstrated revolutionary recognition that covenant faithfulness transcends biology, ethnicity, and gender. Ruth the Moabite convert embodied covenant ideal better than biological Israelite sons might have. This foreshadows NT truth that spiritual family supersedes biological (Matthew 12:48-50).
Questions for Reflection
What does valuing Ruth above seven sons teach about covenant relationships transcending biological ties?
How does this demonstrate that faithful love (chesed) matters more than ethnic origin or biological connection?
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Analysis & Commentary
Ruth's value declared: 'And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age'. The women prophesy that the child will restore Naomi's vitality and provide for her in old age—promises that David's eventual care for his family would fulfill. Then the remarkable statement: 'For thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him'. This extraordinary declaration values Ruth above the hypothetically perfect family (seven sons representing completeness). The women recognize Ruth's chesed (covenant love) as surpassing biological family ties. Her faithful, sacrificial love demonstrated covenant loyalty exceeding natural obligations. This validates Ruth's incorporation into Israel—she's not merely tolerated foreigner but celebrated as Israel's ideal.