Who is the redeemer from the book of Ruth: Boaz or Obed?

Question:

What person is being talked about in Ruth 4:14? Who is the redeemer in this verse, Boaz or Obed ?

The verses in Ruth 4:14-15 are referring to Obed, the son of Boaz who is Naomi’ s redeemer. Up to this verse the redeemer was Boaz, and according with the redeemer’s obligations, he  redeemed the family and  their land. Without a redeemer, Naomi and her family were doomed from Israel’s genealogy but because of the redeemer Naomi’s family was spared.

The redeemer’s right was transmitted from generation to generation. Up to v. 4:14 the redeemer is Boaz, but in v. 14-17 Naomi’s redeemer becomes Obed.

Then the women said to Naomi, ” Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowed in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Naomi was holding Obed on her lap, her redeemer and the women said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer…”

Imediately after this Obed’s geneology is written down (Ruth 4:18-22).  Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David, from whom Jesus Christ was born in flesh (Mathew 1:1-6), who redeemed us from our sins and as a legacy, has given us eternal life and the Kingdom of God through faith in Him.

For a deeper understanding of the subject of the Redeemer, I recommend you to take an inductive Bible study course” A relative with the right of redemption” by Kay Arthur.

                                                                                                               Translated by Olga Dron