Booz before the ancientes of the citie (the neerer kinsman refusing) possesseth the inheritance of Elimelech, 10. and marieth Ruth. 13. Hath by her a sonne, the grandfather of Dauid. 18. VVhose genealogie by this occasion is recited, from Phares the sonne of Iudas the patriarch.
1Then Booz went up to the gate, and sat there. And when he had seen the kinsman going by, of whom he had spoken before, he said to him, calling him by his name: Turn aside for a little while, and sit down here. He turned aside, and sat down.Andò adunque Booz alla porta, e ivi si pose a sedere. E avendo veduto passare quel parente, di cui si è già parlato, gli disse, chiamandolo per suo nome: Vieni un po' qua, e siedi qui. Ed egli si appressò, e si pose a sedere.BOOZ therfore went vp to the gate, and sate there. And when he had seene the nigh kinsman passe by, of whom the talke was had before, he said to him: Turne in a litle while, and sitte here: calling him by his name. Who turned in, and sate.Ascendit ergo Booz ad portam, et sedit ibi. Cumque vidisset propinquum præterire, de quo prius sermo habitus est, dixit ad eum: Declina paulisper, et sede hic: vocans eum nomine suo. Qui divertit, et sedit. 2And Booz, taking ten men of the ancients of the city, said to them: Sit ye down here.E Booz prese dieci uomini de' più vecchi della città, e disse loro: Sedete qui.And Booz taking ten men of the citie, said to them: Sitte ye here.Tollens autem Booz decem viros de senioribus civitatis, dixit ad eos: Sedete hic. 3They sat down, and he spoke to the kinsman: Noemi, who is returned from the country of Moab will sell a parcel of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech.E mentre quelli sedevano, egli disse al parente: Noemi, che è tornata dal paese di Moab, venderà una parte del podere di Elimelech nostro fratello.Who sitting downe, he spake to the nigh kinseman: Noemi, who is returned from the countrie of Moab, wil sel the part of the field belonging to our brother Elimelech.Quibus sedentibus, locutus est ad propinquum: Partem agri fratris nostri Elimelech vendet Noëmi, quæ reversa est de regione Moabitide: 4I would have thee to understand this, and would tell thee before all that sit here, and before the ancients of my people. If thou wilt take possession of it by the right of kindred: buy it, and possess it: but if it please thee not, tell me so, that I may know what I have to do. For there is no near kinsman besides thee, who art first, and me, who am second. But he answered: I will buy the field.La qual cosa io ho voluto che tu sapessi per dirti dinanzi a tutti questi che seggono e a' seniori del popolo. Se tu vuoi farne acquisto in virtù del diritto di parentela, compralo, e prenditelo: ma se a te ciò non piace, fammelo sapere, affinchè io vegga quel che debbo fare: perocché non havvi altro parente, eccettuato tu, che sei avanti a me, e io, che sono il secondo. E quegli rispose: Comprerò io il campo.Which I would thee to vnderstand, and would tel thee before al that sitte, and the ancientes of my people. If thou wilt possesse it by the right of nigh kindred: bye, and possesse it. but if it please thee not, tel me the same, that I may know what I ought to doe. For there is no nigh kinseman sauing thee, which art first, and me, who am second. But he answered: I wil bye the field.quod audire te volui, et tibi dicere coram cunctis sedentibus, et majoribus natu de populo meo. Si vis possidere jure propinquitatis, eme, et posside: sin autem displicet tibi, hoc ipsum indica mihi, ut sciam quid facere debeam: nullus enim est propinquus, excepto te, qui prior es, et me, qui secundus sum. At ille respondit: Ego agrum emam.
5And Booz said to him: When thou shalt buy the field at the woman’s hand, thou must take also Ruth, the Moabitess, who was the wife of the deceased: to raise up the name of thy kinsman in his inheritance.Dissegli Booz: Quando avrai comprato il campo da quella donna, tu dei ancora sposare Ruth di Moab, la quale è stata moglie del defunto, per risuscitare il nome del tuo parente nella sua eredità.To whom Booz said: When thou shalt bye the field at the womans hand, thou must take also Ruth the Moabite, which was the wife of the deceased: that thou mayest rayse vp the name of thy kinsman in his inheritance.Cui dixit Booz: Quando emeris agrum de manu mulieris, Ruth quoque Moabitidem, quæ uxor defuncti fuit, debes accipere: ut suscites nomen propinqui tui in hæreditate sua. 6He answered: I yield up my right of next akin: for I must not cut off the posterity of my own family. Do thou make use of my privilege, which I profess I do willingly forego.Rispose quegli: Cedo le ragioni di propinquità: perocché non debbo io estinguere la posterità della mia famiglia: serviti tu del mio privilegio, del quale io dichiaro che volentieri mi privo.Who answered: I yeld my right of nigh kindred: for I may not abolish the posteritie of myne owne familie. Doe thou vse my priuiledge, which I professe that I doe willingly forgoe.Qui respondit: Cedo juri propinquitatis: neque enim posteritatem familiæ meæ delere debeo: tu meo utere privilegio, quo me libenter carere profiteor. 7Now this in former times was the manner in Israel between kinsmen, that if at any time one yielded his right to another: that the grant might be sure, the man put off his shoe and gave it to his neighbour; this was a testimony of cession of right in Israel.Or era antica in Israele questa usanza tra' parenti, che se alcuna volta l'uno cedeva all'altro il proprio diritto, affinchè fosse valida la rinunzia, quegli si cavava la sua scarpa, e la dava al suo parente; questo era il segno della cessione in Israele.And this in old time was the maner in Israel betwen kinsemen, that if at any time one yelded to an other his right: that the graunt might be sure, the man put of his shoe, and gaue it to his neighbour. this was a testimonie of yelding in Israel.Hic autem erat mos antiquitus in Israël inter propinquos, ut siquando alter alteri suo juri cedebat, ut esset firma concessio, solvebat homo calceamentum suum, et dabat proximo suo: hoc erat testmonium cessionis in Israël. 8So Booz said to his kinsman: Put off thy shoe. And immediately he took it off from his foot.Disse perciò Booz al suo parente: Cavati la scarpa. E quegli tosto se la cavò dal piede.Booz therfore said to his kinseman: Take of thy shoe. Which immediatly he loosed from his foote.Dixit ergo propinquo suo Booz: Tolle calceamentum tuum. Quod statim solvit de pede suo.
9And he said to the ancients, and to all the people: You are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and Chelion’s, and Mahalon’s, of the hand of Noemi:Ed egli disse a' seniori, e a tutto il popolo: Voi siete oggi testimoni, come io fo acquisto di tutto quello che spettava ad Elimelech, e a Chelion, e a Mahalon dalle mani di Noemi:But to the ancientes, and the whole people he said: You are witnesses this day, that I haue purchased al thinges which were Elimelechs; and Chelions and Mahalons; Noemi deliuering them:At ille majoribus natu, et universo populo: Testes vos, inquit, estis hodie, quod possederim omnis quæ fuerunt Elimelech, et Chelion, et Mahalon, tradente Noëmi; 10And have taken to wife Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of Mahalon, to raise up the name of the deceased in his inheritance lest his name be cut off, from among his family and his brethren and his people. You, I say, are witnesses of this thing.E prendo per moglie Ruth di Moab moglie di Mahalon, affin di risuscitare il nome del defunto nella sua eredità, affinchè il suo nome non venga meno nella sua famiglia, e tra' fratelli, e nel popolo. Voi, dico, siete di ciò testimoni.and haue taken in mariage Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahalon, that I may rayse vp the name of the deceased in his inheritance, lest his name be abolished out of his familie and brethren and people. You, I say, are witnesses of this thing.et Ruth Moabitidem, uxorem Mahalon, in conjugium sumpserim, ut suscitem nomen defuncti in hæreditate sua, ne vocabulum ejus de familia sua ac fratribus et populo deleatur. Vos, inquam, hujus rei testes estis. 11Then all the people that were in the gate, and the ancients, answered: We are witnesses: The Lord make this woman who cometh into thy house, like Rachel, and Lia, who built up the house of Israel: that she may be an example of virtue in Ephrata, and may have a famous name in Bethlehem:Risposero tutto il popolo che era alla porta, e i seniori: Siam testimoni; il Signore faccia che questa donna, la quale entra in casa tua, sia come Rachele, e Lia, le quali fondarono la casa d'Israele: ch'ella sia esempio di virtù in Ephrata, ed abbia un nome celebre in Bethlehem;Al the people that was in the gate answered, and the ancientes: We are witnesses: Our Lord make this woman, which entereth into thy house, as Rachel, and Lia, which builded the house of Israel: that she may be an example of vertue in Ephrata, and may haue a famous name in Bethlehem:Respondit omnis populus, qui erat in porta, et majores natu: Nos testes sumus: faciat Dominus hanc mulierem, quæ ingreditur domum tuam, sicut Rachel et Liam, quæ ædificaverunt domum Israël: ut sit exemplum virtutis in Ephratha, et habeat celebre nomen in Bethlehem: 12And that the house may be, as the house of Phares, whom Thamar bore unto Juda, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.E sia la tua casa, come la casa di Phares (il quale fu partorito a Giuda da Thamar) in virtù della discendenza che il Signor ti darà da questa giovane.and that thy house may be, as the house of Phares, whom Thamar bare to Iudas, of the seede which our Lord shal geue thee of this yong woman.fiatque domus tua sicut domus Phares, quem Thamar peperit Judæ, de semine quod tibi dederit Dominus ex hac puella.
13Booz therefore took Ruth, and married her: and went in unto her, and the Lord gave her to conceive, and to bear a son.Booz pertanto prese Ruth, e sposolla: e stette con lei, e il Signore le concedette di concepire, e partorire un figliuolo.Booz therfore tooke Ruth, and had her to wife: and went in vnto her, and our Lord gaue her to conceiue, and to beare a sonne.Tulit itaque Booz Ruth, et accepit uxorem: ingressusque est ad eam, et dedit illi Dominus ut conciperet, et pareret filium. 14And the women said to Noemi: Blessed be the Lord, who hath not suffered thy family to want a successor: that his name should be preserved in Israel.E le donne diceano a Noemi: Benedetto il Signore, che non ha permesso che mancasse successore alla tua famiglia, affinchè seguiti a nomarsi il nome di lei in Israele;And the wemen said to Noemi: Blessed be our Lord, which hath not suffered that there should fayle a successor of thy familie: that his name should be called in Israel.Dixeruntque mulieres ad Noëmi: Benedictus Dominus, qui non est passus ut deficeret successor familiæ tuæ, et vocaretur nomen ejus in Israël: 15And thou shouldst have one to comfort thy soul, and cherish thy old age. For he is born of thy daughter in law: who loveth thee: and is much better to thee, than if thou hadst seven sons.E affinchè tu abbi chi consoli l'anima tua, e sostenti la tua vecchiaia: perocché egli è nato dalla tua nuora, la quale ti ama, ed ella vale più per te che se avessi sette figliuoli.And thou shouldest haue one that may comfort thy soule, and cherish thy old age. For of thy daughter in law is he borne, which wil loue thee: and much better is she to thee, then if thou hadst seuen sonnes.et habeas qui consoletur animam tuam, et enutriat senectutem: de nuru enim tua natus est, quæ te diligit, et multo tibi melior est, quam si septem haberes filios. 16And Noemi taking the child, laid it in her bosom, and she carried it, and was a nurse unto it.E Noemi prese il bambino, e lo pose nel suo seno, e faceagli da nutrice, e da fantesca.And Noemi taking the child put it in her bosome, and did the office of a nource and of one that should carie him.Susceptumque Noëmi puerum posuit in sinu suo, et nutricis ac gerulæ fungebatur officio. 17And the women, her neighbours, congratulating with her, and saying, There is a son born to Noemi, called his name Obed: he is the father of Isai, the father of David.E le vicine si congratulavan con lei, e diceano: È nato un figliuolo a Noemi: e gli poser nome Obed: egli fu padre d'Isai, padre di Davidde.And the women her neighbours congratulating her, and saying: There is a sonne borne to Noemi: called his name Obed: this is the father of Isai, the father of Dauid.Vicinæ autem mulieris congratulantes ei, et dicentes: Natus est filius Noëmi: vocaverunt nomen ejus Obed: hic est pater Isai, patris David.
18These are the generations of Phares: Phares begot Esron,Ecco la genealogia di Phares: Phares generò Esron:These are the generations of Phares: Phares begat Esron,Hæ sunt generationes Phares: Phares genuit Esron, 19Esron begot Aram, Aram begot Aminadab,Esron generò Aram: Aram generò Aminadab:Esron begat Aram, Aram begat Aminadab,Esron genuit Aram, Aram genuit Aminadab, 20Aminadab begot Nahasson, Nahasson begot Salmon,Aminadab generò Nahasson: Nahasson generò Salmon:Aminadab begat Nahasson, Nahasson begat Salmon,Aminadab genuit Nahasson, Nahasson genuit Salmon, 21Salmon begot Booz, Booz begot Obed,Salmon generò Booz: Booz generò Obed:Salmon begat Booz, Booz begat Obed,Salmon genuit Booz, Booz genuit Obed, 22Obed begot Isai, Isai begot David.Obed generò Isai: Isai generò David.Obed begat Isai, Isai begat Dauid.Obed genuit Isai, Isai genuit David.
4:1
Gate, where justice was administered.
Calmet
Calling. Hebrew Ploni Almoni. (Calmet)
Haydock
Protestants, " Ho! such a one." (Haydock)
Calmet
This form of speech is used concerning a person whose name we know not, or will not mention, 1 Kings 21:2. (Calmet)
Tirinus
The name of this man is buried in eternal oblivion, perhaps because he was so much concerned about the splendour of his family, that he would not marry the widow of his deceased relation. (Tirinus)
4:2
Calmet
Here, as witnesses, not as judges, ver. 9. (Calmet)
Grotius
This number was requisite in matters of consequence. (Grotius)
4:3
Calmet
Will sell. Some Latin copies read, "sells, or has sold." But the sequel shews that she was only now disposed to do it. But what right had Noemi or Ruth to the land, since women could not inherit? The latter might indeed retain her title, as long as she continued unmarried. But Noemi only acted in her behalf. Selden thinks that their respective husbands had made them a present of some land. Josephus (ver. 11) asserts, that the person whom Booz addressed had already possession, and that he resigned his claim, as he would not take another wife. (Calmet)
Worthington
Our brother. He was his nephew, and calls him brother, as Abraham did Lot. (Worthington)
4:4
This. Hebrew, "I thought to uncover thy ear," or to admonish thee. Virgil (frag.) uses a similar expression, Mors aurem vellens, vivite, ait, venio: "Death pulls the ear; live now, he says, I come."
Kennicott
Not. Hebrew printed erroneously, "But if he will not redeem it." (Kennicott)
4:5
Haydock
When. Hebrew again corruptly, "On the day thou buyest the land of the hand of Noemi, I will also buy it of Ruth," etc. It ought to be, conformably to some manuscripts and the ancient versions, "thou must also take Ruth," ver. 10. (Capel, p. 144, and 362.) (Kennicott) (Haydock)
Calmet
We see here the observance of two laws, the one preserving the inheritance in the same family, and the other obliging the next of kin to marry the widow of the deceased, if he would enjoy his land, Leviticus 25:10., and Deuteronomy 25:5. (Calmet)
Abulensis
Such widows as designed to comply with this condition, took possession of the land on the death of their husband, and conveyed it to those whom they married, till their eldest son became entitled to it. (Abulensis, q. 30 to 61.)
Menochius
Inheritance. The son to be born, would be esteemed the heir of his legal parent. (Menochius)
4:6
Haydock
Family. Hebrew, "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I spoil my own inheritance." He was afraid of having too many children, and sensible that the first son that should be born of the proposed marriage, would not be counted as his. (Haydock)
4:7
Calmet
Israel. Hebrew, "and this was the testimony in Israel." The ceremony here specified is very different from that which the law prescribed, Deuteronomy 25:7. But Josephus says, that they complied with all the regulations of the law, and that Ruth was present on this occasion. (Calmet)
Tirinus
Perhaps the law was not executed in all its rigour, when another was found to marry the widow, (Worthington) and when no real brother was living. (Tirinus)
4:9
Menochius
Chelion. As Orpha, his widow, took no care to comply with the law, all his possessions devolved on his brother’s posterity. (Menochius)
Calmet
It was presumed that she would marry some Moabite. (Calmet)
4:10
Tirinus
Moabitess. The sons of Elimelech were excused in taking such women to wife, on account of necessity, and to avoid the danger of incontinence, which is a greater evil. Booz was under another sort of necessity, and was bound to comply with the law; (Calmet) so that he was guilty of no sin, as Beza would pretend. (Tirinus)
Some also remark, that the exclusion of the people of Moab from the Church of God, regarded not the females, (St. Augustine, q. 35, In Deut.; Serar.; Tirinus; etc.) particularly if they embraced the true religion. According to the Rabbins, Obed should have been accounted a Moabite, as they say children follow the condition of their mothers: but we need not here adopt their decisions.
People. Hebrew, "and from the gate of his place." In the assemblies, the legal son of Mahalon would represent him, though he was also considered as the son of Booz, at least if the latter had no other, as was probably the case.
4:11
Israel, by a numerous posterity.
Calmet
That she. Hebrew, "mayst thou acquire riches," etc. (Calmet).
Haydock
Protestants, "do thou (Booz) worthily in," etc. (Haydock).
4:12
4:14
Calmet
Successor. Hebrew, "redeemer, that his (Booz, or the Lord's) name," etc. (Calmet)
4:15
Comfort. Hebrew, "to make thy soul revive."
4:17
Menochius
Obed; "serving," to comfort the old age of Noemi, (ver. 15,) who gave him this name, (Serar. q. 14,) at the suggestion of her neighbours. (Menochius)
4:18
4:19
Aram. He is called Ram in Hebrew and 1 Paralipomenon 2:9.
4:20
Calmet
Salmon. Hebrew and Chaldean, Salma, (Haydock) though we read Salmon in the following verse. (Calmet)
Haydock
This is one argument adduced by Houbigant, to shew that this genealogy is now imperfect. He concludes that Salma ought to be admitted, as well as Salmon; and, as the reason for calling the first son of Ruth, Obed, "serving or ploughing," seems rather harsh, as we should naturally expect some more glorious title. He thinks that the immediate son of Ruth was called Jachin, "he shall establish;" and that Solomon called one of the pillars before the temple by his name, as he did the other Booz, "in strength," in honour of his ancestors. Báz icin means, "In strength (or solidity) it (he) shall (stand or) establish." As the son of Booz established his father's house, (ver. 10, 11,) so these pillars denoted the stability of the temple. We must thus allow that the hand of time has mutilated the genealogy of David, and that two ought to be admitted among his ancestors, who have been here omitted, as St. Matthew likewise passes them over as well as three others, who were the descendants of Joram. The same omission of Jachin occurs 1 Paralipomenon 2:11, where we find Salma instead of Salmon. Houbigant supposes that the sacred writers, Esdras and St. Matthew, gave the genealogies as they found them, without correcting the mistakes of transcribers. (Chronolog. sacra, p. 81.) But there might be some reason for the omission which we do not know; and Nahasson, Booz, and Joram might be said to beget Salmon, Obed, and Jechonias, though they were not their immediate children. Salien and many others assert, that there were three of the name of Booz, succeeding each other, so that six persons instead of four fill up the space of 440 years, from the taking of Jericho till the building of the temple. Salien, in the year of the world 2741, in which year he places the birth of the third Booz, who married Ruth, seventy years afterwards. Petau allows 520 years from the coming out of Egypt till the fourth year of Solomon, so that he leaves above 420 years to the three generations of Booz, Obed, and Isai. But he prudently passes over this chronological difficulty. Usher supposes that each of these people were almost 100 years old when they had children; and he produces many examples of people who lived beyond that age, but he does not mention any, since the days of Moses, who had children at such an advanced age, much less that many in the same family, and in succession, were remarkable for such a thing. Moreover, according to Houbigant's chronology, Booz and Obed must have had children when they were almost 120, and Isai in his 107th year. But by admitting Salma and Jachin, the five persons might each have sons when they were about seventy, and thus would complete 347 years. See Ruth 2:1. (Haydock).
4:22
Calmet
David, the king, whom Samuel crowned, though he did not live to see him in the full enjoyment of his power, (Haydock) as he died before Saul. (Calmet)
Haydock
Thus the greatest personages have people of mean condition among their ancestors, that none may be too much elated on account of their high birth. Ruth, notwithstanding her poverty, was a striking figure of the Christian Church. (Haydock)
Calmet
The Gentiles were strangers to Christ, on account of their errors, but related to him in as much as they were his creatures. Their miserable condition pleaded hard for them, that Jesus would receive them under his protection, espouse and give them rest and peace. Booz would not marry Ruth till the nearer relation had refused, and thus brought dishonour on himself; (Deuteronomy xxv.) so Jesus was principally sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and did not send his apostles to the Gentiles till the Jews had rejected their ministry. (Calmet)
Tirinus
Ruth was also a pattern of the most perfect virtues. See Louis de Puente. (Tirinus)
4:11
4:22
THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL, OTHERWISE CALLED THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS
This and the following Book are called by the Hebrews the books of Samuel, because they contain the history of Samuel, and of the two kings, Saul and David, whom he anointed. They are more commonly named by the Fathers, the first and second book of kings. As to the writer of them, it is the common opinion that Samuel composed the first book, as far as the twenty-fifth chapter; and that the prophets Nathan and Gad finished the first, and wrote the second book. See 1 Paralipomenon, alias 1 Chronicles, 29.29.
4:3
Booz calleth his kinsman brother, as Abraham called Lot his brother. Gen. 13. being his Nephevv.
4:7
See Deut. 25. noting here withal, that the penaltie was lesse, whch an other kinsman vndertaking the mariage, the woman was preuēted from complayning before the iudge.
4:17
Here appeareth the final cause of writting this historie, to shew the Genealogie of King Dauid from Iudas the Patriarch, of whom Christ should descend, so prophecied: Gen. 49. and shewed to be performed; Mat. 1.
4:12
sant'Efrem il Siro † 373 d.C. Ephraim Syrus: Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh 7
The live coal that glowed went up into the bed, of Boaz, lay down there, saw the High Priest, in whose loins was hidden a fire for his incense!
4:1
1. ASCENDIT ERGO BOOZ AD PORTAM. — In porta enim sedebant judices coram quibus haec causa cessionis juris propinquitatis legitime agenda erat. VOCANS EUM NOMINE SUO. — Hebraice vocans peloni almoni, quod Cajetanus vertit, sede hic talis, viduae scilicet Ruth propinquus; Septuaginta, declina huc abscondite; Chaldaeus, vir qui absconditur est viae suae, id est, qui videri non vult. Verius est to peloni almoni, ad verbum significare talis singularis, vel certus quidam, q. d. Tu talis et talis veni huc, et audi me; habeo enim negotium quod tecum tractem. Sic enim solemus advocare exteros, quorum nomina non scimus; vel si scimus ea, nominare nolumus. Unde a to peloni videtur derivatum Hispanicum fulano, Graeci vocant deina, Itali un tale, Galli un quidam. Porro videtur Booz eum nomine suo compellasse, sed noluit Scriptura ejus nomen exprimere, eo quod indignus esset nominari: utpote qui nollet semen et nomen fratris sui defuncti suscitare. Ita Abulensis; juste enim nomen ejus aeterna oblivione sepelitur, qui nomen fratris et propinqui sui eadem sepeliri permittit. Denique almoni derivatur a neelam, id est obmutuit, quia cujus nomen reticetur, illud quasi mutum non auditur, et ut sic dicam, obmutescit; talis ergo dicitur almoni: idem dicitur peloni, a pele, id est occultum et mirabile, quia ea quae occulta, miramur. Ita Serarius.
4:3
3. PARTEM AGRI FRATRIS NOSTRI ELIMELECH VENDET NOEMI, — ejus vivi uxor, nunc vidua defuncti; «vendet,» inquam, tam pro se, quam pro nuru sua Ruth alendo: ambae enim erant pauperes. Licet enim uxores non succederent apud Judaeos in haereditatem maritorum, aut aliorum propinquorum vel affinium defunctorum, tamen ex hoc loco colligitur illas haereditatis maritorum usumfructum habuisse ad vitam, adeoque eamdem vendere potuisse, sed ita ut jus emendi proxime spectaret ad propinquos mariti defuncti, ad quos post mortem uxoris viduae devolvenda erat haereditas. Unde et qui e propinquis haereditatem hanc, v. g. agrum emere volebat, debebat defuncti viduam relictam uxorem ducere, ut illi, cujus haereditatem nactus erat, semen suscitaret. Porro verisimile est agrum hunc Elimelech, eo tempore quo ipse peregrinabatur in Moab, alicui elocatum fuisse, qui quotannis ex ejus fructibus annuum censum persolveret. Ita Abulensis, Lyranus, Fevardentius et alii.
4:6
6. CEDO JURI PROPINQUITATIS: NEQUE ENIM POSTERITATEM FAMILIAE MEAE DELERE (Hebraice, corrumpere. Sic et Septuaginta) DEBEO, — q. d. Est mihi uxor, sunt filii et filiae: illos alere debeo, ut meam familiam et nomen propagent; quare nolo secundam uxorem Ruth mihi accersere, ne et illam cum filiis alere, itaque meis, quos jam genui, alimoniam detrahere vel minuere debeam, atque filios, saltem primogenitum, ex Ruth procreandos non mihi, sed alteri gignam, ut scilicet ejus marito, qui propinquus meus fuit, semen et nomen suscitem. Unde Chaldaeus vertit: Non possum mihi vindicare ob causam seu colorem hunc; quia uxor mihi est, ad quam assumere aliam mihi non facultas, ne forte oriatur in domo mea jurgium, et corrumpam haereditatem meam. Vindica tu tibi possessionem meam, quia tibi uxor nulla, et ego non potero mihi vindicare.
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7. SOLVEBAT HOMO CALCEAMENTUM SUUM. — Erat haec excalceatio, ceremonia politica; scilicet erat signum quod excalceans cederet jure suo, ac sicut calceum, sic et jus suum tradebat alteri propinquo ad emendum agrum sui propinqui defuncti, et ad ejus viduam ducendam in uxorem. Porro excalceatio haec erat duplex: una in poenam; si enim frater germanus nollet fratris sui sine liberis uxorem ducere, itaque ei suscitare semen, lex jubebat Deut. cap. XXV, vers. 9, eum etiam invitum excalceari, et in faciem ejus conspui; quae ingens erat poena, contumelia et ignominia. Altera in signum cessionis juris: si enim quis non esset frater germanus defuncti, sed cognatus in secundo, tertio vel quarto gradu, non tenebatur quidem ex lege Deuter. cap. XXV (haec enim solos fratres germanos tangit) uxorem defuncti ducere ad suscitandum illi semen; tenebatur tamen ad id ipsum ex quadam honestate et consuetudine; si tamen id facere nollet, vel non posset, coram judicibus excalceabat se, calceumque suum alteri propinquo tradebat; ut hoc signo significaret se jus suum illi resignare, tam ad agrum defuncti emendum, quam ad viduam ejus accipiendam in uxorem. Allegorice S. Ambrosius, lib. III De Fide, cap. V: «Designabatur, inquit, futurus ex Judaeis, ex quibus Christus secundum carnem, qui proximi sui, hoc est populi mortui semen doctrinae caelestis semine suscitaret, cui calceamentum nuptiale Ecclesiae copulandae praescripta legis spiritalia deferebant. Non Moyses sponsus: illi enim dicitur Exodi III: Solve calceamentum pedum tuorum, ut Domino suo cedat. Non Jesus Nave filius sponsus. Nam et ipsi dicitur, Josue cap. V: Solve calceamentum pedum tuorum, ne ex similitudine nominis sponsus crederetur. Non alius sponsus, sed solus Christus est sponsus, de quo dixit Joannes: Qui habet sponsam sponsus est. Illis igitur calceamentum solvitur, huic solvi non potest, sicut dixit Joannes: Non sum dignus solvere corrigiam calceamenti ejus. Solus ergo Christus est sponsus, cui illa veniens ex gentibus sponsa, ante inops atque jejuna, sed jam Christi messe dives innubat, quae manipulos fecundae segetis, verbique reliquias gremio legat mentis interno, ut exhaustam illam viduam morte filii, atque inopem defuncti populi matrem novis pascat alimentis, non relinquens destitutam viduam, et novos quaerens. Solus ergo Christus sponsus est, qui nec Synagogae ipsi manipulos suae messis invidebat.» Porro pro calceamentum suum Chaldaeus vertit, narteke, id est vaginam, vel potius chirothecam suam. Forte utrumque fiebat, ut scilicet cedens suo jure et possessione exueret calceum, et simul chirothecam, eamque alteri traderet, significans hoc signo se jus suum illi resignare. Sic enim et nunc nonnullis in locis per chirothecam jus resignatur. Hoc enim signum resignationis est appositum et quasi connaturale. Aut olim haec resignatio fiebat per calceum, postea vero per chirothecam. Unde Judaei nunc suos contractus et resignationes faciunt per resignationem lintei, quam ipsi vocant emptionem sudar, id est sudarii, teste R. Elia. Fuse de his agunt Abulensis et Serarius; Christiani vero haereditatem domus adeunt per clavium acceptionem, agri vero per pedum positionem.
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11. QUAE AEDIFICAVERUNT DOMUM ISRAEL, — puta genuerunt filios posteros et nepotes Jacobi patriarchae, qui alio nomine a Deo vocatus est Israel, id est Dominans Deo, eo quod luctans cum Angelo Dei illi praevaluisset, Genes. cap. XXXII. Rachel enim et Lia uxores Jacobo genuerunt duodecim filios, a quibus tota domus, id est stirps et familia Israelis propagata et mire multiplicata fuit. Unde Chaldaeus addit: in duodecim tribubus, quia hi duodecim Jacobi filii fuere duodecim tribuum parentes, ideoque Patriarchae.
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13. TULIT ITAQUE BOOZ RUTH ET ACCEPIT UXOREM. — Licite id fecit, quia ipsa jam erat proselyta et conversa ad Judaismum. Nam lex illa, Deut. XXIII, jubens ne Moabites ingrediatur in Ecclesiam Dei, viros tantum concernit, non feminas, uti docet Abulensis. Aliter respondet S. Augustinus in Deut., Quaest. LV: «Quaestio, inquit, quomodo intraverit Ecclesiam Domini Ruth, quae Moabitis fuerit, de qua etiam caro Domini originem ducit. Nisi forte istam mystice prophetaverit intraturam, quod ait usque ad decimam generationem. Computantur enim decem generationes ex Abraham, quando fuit et Lot, qui genuit Moabitas et Ammonitas,» Gen. XIX et XXXVII. Sunt autem istae generationes: «Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judas, Phares, Esron, Aram, Aminadab, Nahasson, Salmon, cujus filius Booz.» Haec responsio est ingeniosa, sed non genuina. Nam in Deut. additur: «in aeternum.» Moraliter audi Auctorem Imperfecti, hom. 1 in Matth.: «Ruth, ait, pro merito fidei suae nupsit Booz, quia propriam gentem contempsit, et terram, et genus, et elegit Israel, et non despexit socrum, viduam simul et peregrinam, desiderio ducta generis ejus magis quam sui, deos patrum suorum repulit, et Deum viventem elegit. Rursus Booz pro merito suae fidei illam accepit in uxorem, ut ex conjugio tali sanctificato genus nasceretur regale. Nam Booz senior constitutus non sibi uxorem accepit, sed Deo; non propter passionem corporis sui, sed propter justitiam legis, ut suscitaret semen proximo suo; non magis amore quam religione ferventior: aetate senex, juvenis autem fide; et ideo forsan nominatus est in virtute, vel virtus in ipso praevalens. Quoniam qui secundum aetatem ad ineundum conjugium est in virtute, nominabilis et laudandus, quia est in virtute; sed qui extra aetatem conjugalem jam factus, accepit ex religione virtutem ad conjugium ineundum, sicut iste Booz, ille laudabilis et nominabilis est, quia existit in virtute, et illius talis viri virtus in ipso est.» S. Hieronymus, epist. 25: «Vide, ait, quanti meriti sit de stirpe praestitisse solatium. Ex ejus semine Christus oritur.»
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16. SUSCEPTUMQUE NOEMI PUERUM POSUIT IN SINU SUO, ET NUTRICIS AC GERULAE FUNGEBATUR OFFICIO. — docens puerum ambulare, loqui, colere Deum, parentibus obedire, legem Dei audire, turpia fugere, honesta sequi, beneficentiam in omnes exercere, nulli nocere, caelum ambire, etc.; a pueritia enim pendet adolescentia, virilis aetas, totaque hominis vita. Quare puerorum recta institutio summi est momenti ad eorum salutem aeque ac ad Reipublicae bonum. Quocirca S. Hieronymus, epist. ad Laetam, de filiola ejus Paula, quae neptis erat S. Paulae, ita scribit: «Ipse, si Paulam miseris, et magistrum et nutricium spondeo; gestabo humeris, balbutientia senex verba formabo; multo gloriosior mundi philosopho, qui non regem Macedonum Babylonio periturum veneno, sed ancillam et sponsam Christi erudiam regnis caelestibus offerendam.»
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17. VOCAVERUNT NOMEN EJUS OBED. — Obed hebraice idem est quod serviens, sustentans, sublevans, ait Pagninus. Vocarunt ergo eum «Obed,» quasi optantes et augurantes ut hic filius parentibus jam labore et aetate grandaevis, obsequiis suis serviret, eorumque senectam solaretur et sustentaret. Unde versu 15, dicunt de eo: «Qui consoletur animam tuam, et enutriat senectutem.» Ita Josephus, Serarius et alii: sic apud Romanos vocatus est Scipio, eo quod ipse junior parenti seni et caecutienti, instar scipionis, cui incedens incumberet, subserviret. Obed enim hebraice idem est quod latine scipio sive sustentaculum. Unde mater Tobiae, cap. V, 23, filium suum vocat «baculum senectutis.» Porro Cornelius cognomento Scipio, a quo Scipionum gens patricia initium habuit, patrem luminibus carentem pro baculo gerebat, quem Grammatici scipionem appellant: hinc illi cognomen Scipionis inditum, quod deinde posteris ejus adhaesit, ait Macrobius, lib. I, cap. IV. Rursum, Obed hebraice idem est quod colens, scilicet Deum, ut ex Chaldaeo ait Fevardentius: fuit enim Obed pius tam in Deum, quam in parentes, aeque ac Jesse ejus filius, a quibus David suxit suam virtutem et pietatem. Dices: Filius hic potius vocandus erat Mahalon, quia ei suscitabatur semen. Respondet Abulensis, Quaest. LXXXV: «Oportuisset filium, qui e posteriori matrimonio primus nascebatur, defuncti nomine affici, siquidem qui defuncti uxorem duceret, verus ac proprius illius frater esset, non autem, si frater improprie, id est, cognatus tantum esset.» Allegorice, Booz repraesentat Christum; Ruth, Ecclesiam e gentibus convocatam. Lege Auctorem Imperfecti, hom. 1 in Matth. Moraliter vide Hugonem, Dionysium, Fevardentium, Serarium, ac praesertim Ludovicum de Puente in priore parte Ducis sui spiritalis, ubi ex dictis factisque Ruth pulchra et singularia elicit morum documenta.
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21. SALMON GENUIT BOOZ, BOOZ AUTEM GENUIT OBED. — Arias in Apparatu Bibl. Reg. tract. De Nominibus Hebraicis, censet Salmon idem esse quod Salomon, sed fallitur: Salmon enim scribitur per sin; Salomon vero per schin. Rursum Salomon hebraice dicitur Selomoh, habetque ultimam litteram He; Salmon vero habet ultimam Nun. Denique Salmon hebraice idem est quod vestitus aut vestiens; Salomon vero idem est quod pacificus. Ita Serarius.
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22. OBED GENUIT ISAI (qui est Jesse), ISAI GENUIT DAVID. — Jesse hebraice idem est quod munus, vel existens aut debitor. Nota: Salmon fuit maritus Rahab, quae Jerichuntem prodidit Hebraeis, Josue II; a Rahab autem et Salmon, id est, ab ingressu Hebraeorum in Chanaan usque ad annum quartum Salomonis fluxere anni 440, ut colligitur ex III Reg. VI, 2; ab annis enim 480, qui ibi numerantur, demendi sunt 40, qui ab ingressu Hebraeorum fluxere in peregrinatione per desertum, usque ad ingressum in Chanaan. Ergo his 440 annis tantum quinque fuere generationes. Salmon enim genuit Booz, Booz genuit Obed, Obed genuit Jesse, Jesse genuit David, David genuit Salomonem. Unde nonnulli censent singulos quatuor primos, scilicet Salmon, Booz, Obed et Jesse, genuisse anno aetatis centesimo, ut conflent 440 annos jam dictos. Ita Abulensis, Serarius, Dionysius, Cajetanus, hic Salmeron, Barradius et Maldonatus in Matth. I. Verum hoc violentum videtur, et ex necessitate confictum. Planius Lyranus, R. Salomon, Genebrardus, Catharinus, Jansenius et Salianus tres ponunt Booz, qui omnes unico hoc nomine Booz contineantur; sicut Matth. I, nomine Jechoniae continetur tam Joakim pater, quam Joachim filius, de quo mox plura. Sic ergo has generationum series distribuit Salianus, tom. II, anno Debborae et Barac 21. Salmon in ingressu Chananitidis, quando duxit Rahab in uxorem, quartum circiter et trigesimum agebat annum; ipsa vero ferme 25. Post alios ex ea susceptos liberos, genuit anno aetatis sexagesimo primum hujus nominis Booz; de summa ergo 440 annorum, qui numerantur ab ingressu in Chananaem, usque ad jacta templi fundamenta, tollendi erunt 26 anni. Booz autem primus ac secundus genuerunt 65 aetatis anno, tertius autem septuagesimo. Obed, item et Isai 70; quibus adde 70 annos vitae Davidis, et quatuor de regno Salomonis, efficies omnino 440 annos. Ex his autem probabiliter collectum vides primum Booz natum decimo Othonielis anno; secundum, 35 Aodi; tertium, 20 Baraci, duxisseque Rutham, ac genuisse Obed, septimo anno Tholae; Isai autem natum primo Samsonis, et genuisse Davidem anno undecimo Samuelis incunte. Si quis tamen malit dicere Salmon, Booz, Obed et Jesse genuisse anno centesimo, potius quam duos Booz uni sacrae Scripturae adjungere audeat, dicat similia exstare illius, imo posterioris aevi exempla. S. Servatius enim Trajectensis episcopus et patronus vixit 373 annos, teste Sigeberto in Chron. Celebratur in Historiis Joannis de temporibus qui vixit 300 annos. Maffeius, lib. XI Hist. Indica, trecentos pariter annos cuidam Indo assignat. Verum haec portenta sunt et quasi miracula, quae in uno duntaxat contigerunt; hic autem oportet asserere longaevitatem hanc contigisse quatuor hominibus sibi invicem continua generatione succedentibus, quod est inauditum; praesertim cum David eorum filius vitam homini sua aetate circumscribat 70 annis: «Dies annorum nostrorum, inquit, in ipsis septuaginta anni,» Psalm. LXXXIX. Porro saepe in Scriptura generationes et nomina aliquorum generantium subticentur, ut Matth. cap. I, 3, ubi dicitur: «Joram autem genuit Oziam.» Joram enim genuit Ochoziam: Ochozias genuit Joas, Joas genuit Amasiam, Amasias genuit Oziam. Ibidem vers. 11: «Josias autem genuit Jechoniam,» ubi Jechonias ponitur pro duobus, scilicet pro Joakim sive Jeconia, et Joachim sive Jechonia; scilicet Josias genuit Jeconiam, Jeconias autem genuit Jechoniam. Accedit ratio: nam hisce 440 annis, qui fluxere a Salmon ad Salomonem, in ceteris tribubus non quinque, sed longe plures fuere generationes. Exemplum unum e multis clarum accipe: I Paralip. VI, 33. Ab Heman qui fuit Cantor tempore Davidis, ascendendo ad Core qui vixit tempore Mosis, eique rebellans a terra absorptus fuit, Numer. XVI, numerantur octodecim generationes. Sic enim ait: «Heman Cantor filius Johel, filii Samuel, filii Elcana, filii Jeroham, filii Eliel, filii Thohu, filii Suph, filii Elcana, filii Mahath, filii Amasai, filii Elcana, filii Johel, filii Azariae, filii Sophoniae, filii Thahat, filii Asir, filii Abiazaph, filii Core.» Numera to filii decies octies repetitum, et videbis octodecim generationes hic recenseri. Quare verisimile est hic pariter aliquas praeteriri, et nonnullos filios intermedios quasi obscuriores omitti, nominari vero tantum illustriores, uti Naasson, quia ipse fuit princeps tribus Juda in ingressu terrae sanctae, duxitque Rahab uxorem; Booz, quia ipse fuit maritus Ruth, cujus historia hic texitur; Obed, quia ex eo natus est Isai, qui fuit pater Davidis regis. Denique Rabbini in Juchasin, pag. 10, tradunt Ruth, cum nupsit Booz, fuisse annorum 40, ac deinde diu admodum vixisse: «Nam fuit, inquiunt, adhuc tempore Salomonis, et ad ejus latus una cum Bethsabea sedebat in throno regio.» Sic et filium ejus Obed aiunt vixisse 400 annos, sed haec incredibilia, ideoque conficta videntur. Tropologice S. Chrysostomus, hom. 4 in Matth.: «Talis, inquit, Booz ex tali conjuge Ruth, qualem filium genuit? Obed, qui interpretatur subditus. Nunc autem qui divitias eligunt, et non mores, pulchritudinem, et non fidem; et quod in meretricibus solet quaeri, hoc in conjugibus optant, propterea non generant filios subditos vel sibi, vel Deo, sed contumacos et contra se et contra Deum, ut filii eorum non sint fructus justae conjunctionis eorum, sed poena condigna irreligiositatis ipsorum. Iste autem Obed, qui subditus dicebatur, quid genuit? Jesse, id est, refrigerium; Jesse enim latino sermone refrigerium appellatur. Nam vere quicumque subditus est Deo et parentibus suis, tales filios generat Deo praestante, a quibus refrigeretur, quoniam qui honorat patrem honorabitur a filiis suis; qui autem contumaces existunt aut in Deum, aut in parentes, generantes non refrigeria sibi generant, sed dolores, ut a filiis suis recipiant quod fecerunt in parentibus.» Addit Chrysostomus forte Obed sic appellatum quod eo nascente Hebraei Philistinis essent subditi, a quibus liberati fuere per Samuelem, sub quo vixit Jesse filius Obed; ideoque eum vocatum esse Jesse, id est, refrigerium.
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… suo congiunto, oppure egli stesso, se riesce a procurarsi il denaro necessario, ha il diritto di riscatto (gê'ullâh), restituendo il prezzo dell'acquisto in ragione degli anni durante i quali ha prestato servizio (Lev. 25, 47 sgg.; Ruth 2, 20; 3, 9; 4, 1.14).
… Si osservino inoltre gli antichi costumi presentati in Ruth 4, 1-10, 16 sgg., insieme alla nota redazionale (ibid. 4, 7), e ai paralleli di Nuzi (cf. R. Tamisier, p. 323 sgg.). …
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ELIMELECH (EBR. 'ELIMELEHH «MIO DIO È RE»)
dei Giudici (Ruth 1, 3; 2, 1; 4, 3, 9). Obbligato da una carezia ad abbandonare Betlemme, suo luogo natale, si trasferì nel paese di Momb. …
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HĀLĀKHĀH (DA HĀLAKH «CAMMINARE»)
… Vi sono di quelle che diventano un ricordo puramente storico, così, p. es., il simbolico atto di levarsi la scarpa all'atto del passaggio di proprietà da una persona all'altra (Ruth 4, 7-8). Altre norme sorgono dall'uso costante di una specie di giurisprudenza popolare e diventano così prassi religioso-giuridica che i dot-
… Fu scritto non prima del Regno di David (ibid. 1, 1; 4, 7, 18-22), e, assai probabilmente, non molto dopo. …
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… Il neonato, tuttavia, fu legalmente figlio di Noemi (Ruth 4, 10-17).
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… In Ruth 1, 1-2; 4, 11, come in Mi. 5, 2, l'identificazione di Ephrata con B. è assolutamente certa, perché richiesta dal contesto e dal parallelismo delle frasi; ma è da notarsi che neanche in questi …
EPHRATA. - Appellativo di Betlemme (v.), che dopo il tempo di el-'Amârnah (sec. xv a. C.) fece parte del territorio di E. con Cariathiarim e Bethgader e fu colonizzata dal clan efrateo, donde fu denominata E. In Gen. 35, 16 e Ruth 4, 11 è detta semplicemente E.; in Gen. 35, 19 e 48, 7: « E. che è Betlemme ». In Mi. 5, 2 (cf. Mt. 2, 6) il luogo di nascita del Messia è chiamato Betlemme di E.
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… dati dal testo sacro per l'importanza dei diritti di primogenitura, che furono concessi a lui e non a Zara, poiché è sempre ricordato primo nelle genealogie (ibid. 46, 12; Num. 26, 20; I Par. 2, 4; Mt. 1, 3). I suoi discendenti furono benedetti da Dio (Ruth 4, 12). Per la genealogia v. Ruth 4, 18-22 e I Par. 2, 5, 9-3, 24. Al tempo di Zorobabel 468 discendenti di P. abitavano Gerusalemme (Neh. 11, 4-6). È ricordato nelle genealogie di Gesù …
… Era prevalso il diritto della donna (cf. Ruth 4, 12) di dare una discendenza legale al suo primo marito; in Phares si conservò la linea diretta della genealogia giudaico-davidica (Mt. 1,3).
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… severamente i soldati con una specie di decimazione (II Sam. 8, 2). Mentre era perseguitato, egli aveva condotto a Masphe di M. i suoi genitori, ospiti del Re, per sottrarli alla vendetta di Saul (I Sam. 23, 1-4), che Ruth sua antenata era una moabita (Ruth. 4, 13-22). Dopo la morte di Salomone, M. è di nuovo indipendente fino ad Amri (v.), che lo rende tributario del Regno d'Israele, cui deve ogni anno 100.000 agnelli e altrettanti montoni da …
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… Di B. fu anche la moglie del levita di Ephraim tagliata a pezzi dal marito dopo lo scempio che di lei ne fecero gli abitanti di Gabaa (Iudc. 19); ma la rinomanza di B. nell'antico Israele proviene dall'essere stata la patria della stirpe di David (Ruth 4, 17-22), il quale vi fu unto re da Samuele (I Reg. 16, 13), per cui è chiamata anche città di David (I Reg. 20, 6; Lc. 2, 4, 11). Nella continua guerriglia tra David ed i Filistei, …
OBED (EBR. 'ÖBHEDH « SERVITORE »)
1. Figlio di Booz e Noemi e nonno di David (Ruth 4, 17.21.22; I Par. 2, 12). - 2. Uno dei « valorosi » nell'esercito di David (ibid. 11, 47). - 3. Discendente del patriarca Giuda nella linea di Ierameel (ibid. 2, 37). - 4. Levita, figlio di …
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… l'importanza dei diritti di primogenitura, che furono concessi a lui e non a Zara, poiché è sempre ricordato primo nelle genealogie (ibid. 46, 12; Num. 26, 20; I Par. 2, 4; Mt. 1, 3). I suoi discendenti furono benedetti da Dio (Ruth 4, 12). Per la genealogia v. Ruth 4, 18-22 e I Par. 2, 5, 9-3, 24. Al tempo di Zorobabel 468 discendenti di P. abitavano Gerusalemme (Neh. 11, 4-6). È ricordato nelle genealogie di Gesù (Mt. 1, 3; Lc. 3, 33).
L'autore, che è ignoto, ha voluto dare la genealogia di David (Ruth 4, 18-22) e mostrare l'azione particolare della Provvidenza in essa; come conservare i molti preziosi insegnamenti contenuti nel vivido e soave racconto. …
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… dell'occupazione; soddisface alla condizione pattuita (nastro rosso alla finestra) e la promessa fu mantenuta (Ios. 2, 2-21; 6, 17-25). Convertita alla religione israelitica, sposò Salmon della tribù di Giuda ed ebbe per figlio Booz, futuro sposo di Ruth (Ruth 4, 21; Mt. 1, 5). La sua fede fu lodata in scritti del Nuovo Testamento (Hebr. 11, 31; Iac. 2, 25).
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · Douay-Rheims originale (Douai 1609-10), trascrizione EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Pubblico dominio.