The answer is: 10

Ruth 4:2

In the book of Ruth, when Boaz prepared to finalize the deal regarding redeeming Naomi's property and marrying Ruth, he gathered ten elders from the city gates as witnesses—a significant legal formality at that time. In ancient Israel, community involvement was crucial, especially in matters of lineage and inheritance. The number ten echoes the biblical significance of a quorum, highlighting communal authority in decisions of this nature.

What’s fascinating is that the use of ten could also harken back to the tradition of the mens’ council in Ancient Israel, ensuring fairness and legitimacy in such important matters as lineage and land transfer. The setting of the city gate served as more than a physical location; it acted as the town’s courthouse and social hub, bustling with daily activities and judgments. It offered a place where major agreements were made public, viewed, and documented—the ultimate transparency for that society!

Boaz’s bold act demonstrated a keen sense of responsibility, restoring Naomi's family line and caring for Ruth in one go. This melding of personal verse, social ethics, and legal framework places an emphasis on community welfare through both ties of blood and alliances of kindness. Interestingly, in early Jewish tradition, Boaz is regarded as an ancestor to King David, illustrating how single actions can impact larger narratives through the generations—a wonderful reminder of how every small, noble deed can resonate through time!