Ruth 4:3 - He said to the near kinsman, “Naomi, who has come back out of the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s.
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What does "Ruth 4:3" mean?
Ruth 4:3 describes a key step in the kinsman-redeemer process. Let's break it down:
"He said to the near kinsman..." This refers to Boaz addressing a relative of Naomi who was a closer relative than Boaz himself. This relative had the first right to redeem the land.
"Naomi, who has come back out of the country of Moab..." This clarifies who Naomi is and reminds the kinsman of her status as a widowed returnee from a foreign land. This might evoke a sense of pity or obligation.
"...is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s." This is the core information. Elimelech was Naomi's deceased husband, and the land was his family inheritance. Because Naomi was widowed and childless (her sons were also deceased), she was now selling the land to survive. Under Israelite law, land was meant to stay within the family, so this sale was a potential loss of the family's heritage.
In essence, Boaz is informing the near kinsman that Naomi is selling her late husband's land and that he, as a relative, has the first opportunity to buy it back (redeem it).
Significance:
Kinsman-Redeemer Duty: This verse highlights the concept of the kinsman-redeemer (Hebrew: go'el). This was a person who had the responsibility to redeem a relative in distress, whether by buying back land, freeing them from slavery, or avenging a murder.
Protecting Family Heritage: The goal of the kinsman-redeemer was to preserve the family line and keep their inheritance intact.
Naomi's Vulnerability: The verse underscores Naomi's vulnerable position. She's a widowed foreigner, and selling her land represents a potential loss of her family's legacy and her own security.
Setting the Stage: This verse sets the stage for the kinsman-redeemer to make a decision: to buy the land or to decline. His decision will ultimately determine the fate of Naomi and Ruth and pave the way for Boaz's involvement.
Ruth 4:3 - He said to the near kinsman, “Naomi, who has come back out of the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s.
What does "Ruth 4:3" mean?
Ruth 4:3 describes a key step in the kinsman-redeemer process. Let's break it down:
"He said to the near kinsman..." This refers to Boaz addressing a relative of Naomi who was a closer relative than Boaz himself. This relative had the first right to redeem the land.
"Naomi, who has come back out of the country of Moab..." This clarifies who Naomi is and reminds the kinsman of her status as a widowed returnee from a foreign land. This might evoke a sense of pity or obligation.
"...is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s." This is the core information. Elimelech was Naomi's deceased husband, and the land was his family inheritance. Because Naomi was widowed and childless (her sons were also deceased), she was now selling the land to survive. Under Israelite law, land was meant to stay within the family, so this sale was a potential loss of the family's heritage.
In essence, Boaz is informing the near kinsman that Naomi is selling her late husband's land and that he, as a relative, has the first opportunity to buy it back (redeem it).
Significance:
Kinsman-Redeemer Duty: This verse highlights the concept of the kinsman-redeemer (Hebrew: go'el). This was a person who had the responsibility to redeem a relative in distress, whether by buying back land, freeing them from slavery, or avenging a murder.
Protecting Family Heritage: The goal of the kinsman-redeemer was to preserve the family line and keep their inheritance intact.
Naomi's Vulnerability: The verse underscores Naomi's vulnerable position. She's a widowed foreigner, and selling her land represents a potential loss of her family's legacy and her own security.
Setting the Stage: This verse sets the stage for the kinsman-redeemer to make a decision: to buy the land or to decline. His decision will ultimately determine the fate of Naomi and Ruth and pave the way for Boaz's involvement.