Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from Naomi, you will acquire[a] Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the deceased man, to perpetuate the man’s name on his property.”[b](A)

The redeemer replied, “I can’t redeem it myself, or I will ruin my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I can’t redeem it.”

At an earlier period in Israel, a man removed his sandal(B) and gave it to the other party in order to make any matter legally binding concerning the right of redemption or the exchange of property. This was the method of legally binding a transaction in Israel.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 4:5 Lit Naomi and from
  2. 4:5 Alt Hb tradition reads Naomi, I will have already acquired from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead man, the privilege of raising up the name of the dead man on his property

Bible Gateway Recommends

CSB Outreach Bible, Large Print Edition, 36 copies
CSB Outreach Bible, Large Print Edition, 36 copies
Retail: $287.64
Our Price: $197.64
Save: $90.00 (31%)
CSB Explorer Bible for Kids--hardcover
CSB Explorer Bible for Kids--hardcover
Retail: $34.99
Our Price: $17.99
Save: $17.00 (49%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Study Bible, Brown Genuine Leather
CSB Study Bible, Brown Genuine Leather
Retail: $89.99
Our Price: $56.99
Save: $33.00 (37%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
CSB Rainbow Study Bible, Purple LeatherTouch
CSB Rainbow Study Bible, Purple LeatherTouch
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $43.99
Save: $16.00 (27%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Study Bible, Hardcover
CSB Study Bible, Hardcover
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $33.49
Save: $16.50 (33%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
CSB Athlete's Bible, Navy Soft Imitation Leather
CSB Athlete's Bible, Navy Soft Imitation Leather
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $21.99
Save: $8.00 (27%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars