Boaz's Other Wives?

In the 4th chapter of Ruth, Boaz marries Ruth. Boaz was a rich man. In those days, a man could have more than one wife, i.e. Samuel's father, David,and Solomon. I think a man could have as many wives as he wanted and could afford.

Since Boaz was a landowner with many servants and therefore wealthy, he probably had many wives. I think Boaz had other wives, but it was not necessary to mention them. Also, Boaz was acting as the kinsman redeemer. What do you think?

 

It was not necessary to mention the other wives because Ruth was the only wife in the lineage of David. I was wondering if anyone had any information on Boaz's other wives, if any.

 

If a man died and had no children, his brother was obligated to marry the dead man's wife and raise up children for him. The Kinsmen Redeemer. It does not say the brother could not have other wives; He was probably already married. At least in this case, having more than one wife was instituted by God through the law.

 

I disagree.

The fact that he said "might endanger my own estate" does not say he did not have already have a wife. He may mean he would have trouble with his existing wife or wives. Who knows? If the near kinsman took his dead brother's wife without having another wife, he would only raise up seed for his brother and his own inheritance would be lost. The purpose was that all inheritances would be continued.

The requirement in the law is in Duet. 25: 5-10. There is no mention of the surviving brother not to have his own wife. This requirement would be of little or no effect if the surviving brother could not be married. In most cases, the brothers would be already married.

 

True, the man is not required to perform his responsibility. But he is shamed and publically disgraced if he doesn't. I didn't say it was required by God. I said it was instituted by God through the law. The brother was not required to marry his dead brother's wife, But he was obligated to and publically disgraced if he didn't.

Duet. 25:8-10 - Then the elders of this town shall summon him and talk to him. If he persists in saying "I don't want to marry her," His brother's widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elder, take off one of his sandals, spit in his face and say, This is what is done to the man who will not build up his brother's family line." That man's line shall be known in Israel as the family of the unsandaled.

Marcia writes:
"The Deut 25 passage does not indicate that the brother must marry if he is already married. It indicates he is to father her child so that the child of the dead brother can carry on the brother's name."

See Duet. 25:8-10 above. The issue was marrying her. It says nothing about just fathering children.