Ruth 4:8 - So the near kinsman said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” then he took off his shoe.
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What does "Ruth 4:8" mean?
Ruth 4:8 describes a legal custom related to the redemption of property and the continuation of a family line. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
Context: The story of Ruth is about a widowed woman (Ruth) who, according to Jewish law, had a right to be redeemed by her husband's nearest male relative. This meant the relative could buy back the family land that had been sold due to hardship and also marry Ruth to continue the family line and provide an heir for her deceased husband.
"So the near kinsman said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself”: There was a closer relative than Boaz who had the first right to redeem the property and marry Ruth. However, this kinsman, after learning about the obligations involved (specifically the need to produce an heir for the deceased husband and perpetuate his name on the inheritance), decided he didn't want to take on those responsibilities. He relinquishes his right to Boaz.
"then he took off his shoe": This is the key to understanding the verse. Taking off a shoe was a symbolic act of transferring rights and ownership in ancient Israel. It was a public sign that the near kinsman was giving up his claim and transferring it to Boaz.
It symbolized the relinquishing of authority and possession.
It was a formal way of finalizing a business transaction. It made the agreement binding in the presence of witnesses.
In essence, the verse means: The closer relative, after understanding the implications of redeeming the property and marrying Ruth, declined to do so and performed a customary act of removing his shoe to publicly transfer his right of redemption to Boaz. This act made Boaz legally able to buy the property and marry Ruth.
The shoe removal was a visible and socially recognized way of saying, "I am stepping out of this; my rights are now yours." It was a crucial part of the legal process in that time.
Ruth 4:8 - So the near kinsman said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” then he took off his shoe.
What does "Ruth 4:8" mean?
Ruth 4:8 describes a legal custom related to the redemption of property and the continuation of a family line. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
Context: The story of Ruth is about a widowed woman (Ruth) who, according to Jewish law, had a right to be redeemed by her husband's nearest male relative. This meant the relative could buy back the family land that had been sold due to hardship and also marry Ruth to continue the family line and provide an heir for her deceased husband.
"So the near kinsman said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself”: There was a closer relative than Boaz who had the first right to redeem the property and marry Ruth. However, this kinsman, after learning about the obligations involved (specifically the need to produce an heir for the deceased husband and perpetuate his name on the inheritance), decided he didn't want to take on those responsibilities. He relinquishes his right to Boaz.
"then he took off his shoe": This is the key to understanding the verse. Taking off a shoe was a symbolic act of transferring rights and ownership in ancient Israel. It was a public sign that the near kinsman was giving up his claim and transferring it to Boaz.
It symbolized the relinquishing of authority and possession.
It was a formal way of finalizing a business transaction. It made the agreement binding in the presence of witnesses.
In essence, the verse means: The closer relative, after understanding the implications of redeeming the property and marrying Ruth, declined to do so and performed a customary act of removing his shoe to publicly transfer his right of redemption to Boaz. This act made Boaz legally able to buy the property and marry Ruth.
The shoe removal was a visible and socially recognized way of saying, "I am stepping out of this; my rights are now yours." It was a crucial part of the legal process in that time.