Ruth 4 8

Ruth 4:8 kjv

Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

Ruth 4:8 nkjv

Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." So he took off his sandal.

Ruth 4:8 niv

So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, "Buy it yourself." And he removed his sandal.

Ruth 4:8 esv

So when the redeemer said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself," he drew off his sandal.

Ruth 4:8 nlt

So the other family redeemer drew off his sandal as he said to Boaz, "You buy the land."

Ruth 4 verses

Ruth 4 8 Meaning

Ruth 4:8 describes the pivotal moment in the legal proceedings at the city gate. The nearer kinsman, understanding the implications of acquiring Naomi's field and taking Ruth as his wife—namely, the potential jeopardization of his own family's inheritance—formally renounces his right and obligation. By instructing Boaz to "buy it for yourself" and physically drawing off his sandal, he executes a recognized Israelite legal custom, publicly transferring his priority to redeem Elimelech's land and raise up a name for the deceased to Boaz. This act irrevocably seals Boaz's right to pursue the full redemption, including marriage to Ruth.

Ruth 4 8 Context

Ruth 4:8 occurs within the highly structured legal setting at the city gate of Bethlehem. Earlier in chapter 4, Boaz publicly convenes ten elders and approaches the anonymous closer kinsman to settle the matter of Naomi's land. Boaz skillfully presents the financial aspect of the land redemption first. When the kinsman agrees to redeem the land, Boaz then introduces the crucial detail: whoever redeems the land must also take Ruth, the Moabitess widow, to preserve the name of the deceased (Elimelech and his son, Mahlon) on his inheritance. This condition significantly alters the kinsman's calculation. His immediate family's inheritance would be diluted if a child from Ruth inherited, prompting his swift refusal. This verse specifically records his definitive verbal and symbolic act of relinquishing his right. Historically, this act of removing a sandal served as a concrete legal ritual to formalize a transfer of rights, demonstrating publicly that one renounced a claim or an obligation, often associated with levirate marriage customs. Its adaptation here to land and marriage reflects the blend of social obligation, legal custom, and economic prudence central to Israelite life in the period of Judges.

Ruth 4 8 Word analysis

• `So` (Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר - Vay-yo'mer): A connective that links the action to the immediate preceding discussion, signaling the formal response and immediate consequence of Boaz's framing of the proposition.
• `the kinsman-redeemer` (Hebrew: הַגֹּאֵל - hag-go'el): Composed of the definite article `הַ` (ha-, "the") and `גֹּאֵל` (go'el). The `go'el` is a male relative with the right and responsibility to restore the full rights of a relative or their property. This anonymous `go'el` is the closest relative with first claim, emphasizing that his action is the legally binding prerequisite for Boaz's involvement. The lack of a personal name may subtly diminish his significance compared to Boaz in the narrative.
• `said to Boaz`: Highlights the direct communication and formal declaration in front of witnesses, indicating a legally binding verbal statement.
• `"Buy it for yourself."` (Hebrew: קְנֵה לְךָ - q'neh lekha): A command, "Acquire it for yourself." `קְנֵה` (q'neh) is the imperative form of `קָנָה` (qanah), meaning "to acquire, buy, possess." `לְךָ` (lekha) means "to you" or "for yourself" (masculine singular). This imperative formally transfers the right of acquisition from the nearer kinsman to Boaz, empowering Boaz to proceed without legal contestation. It explicitly states his intention to relinquish.
• `And he drew off` (Hebrew: וַיִּשְׁלֹף - vay-yish'lof): A consecutive imperfect form of `שָׁלַף` (shalaf), meaning "to draw out, pull off, unsheath." The consecutive implies an immediate, decisive action following his verbal declaration, integral to the ritual.
• `his sandal` (Hebrew: נַעֲלוֹ - na'alo): `נַעַל` (na'al) means "sandal," with the possessive suffix `וֹ` (-o, "his"). In ancient Israel, sandals could symbolize ownership or legal claim, as treading on land indicated possession (Gen 13:17; Deut 1:36; 11:24). The act of drawing off the sandal was a customary legal procedure (as explained in Deut 25:7-10) to finalize the transfer of rights or release from an obligation. Here, it is adapted not as a sign of disgrace for failing levirate duty (as in Deut 25) but as a solemn and legally accepted symbol of the relinquishment of rights and responsibilities in the presence of witnesses.

• Words-group Analysis: `the kinsman-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.”`: This phrase captures the immediate verbal act of renunciation. It is a direct statement, made publicly, granting Boaz permission and authority to take on the rights and duties that the `go'el` himself foregoes. The "kinsman-redeemer" does not redeem, highlighting his choice based on personal financial preservation over family line preservation. `And he drew off his sandal.`: This group signifies the physical, non-verbal act that accompanies and legally ratifies the verbal declaration. It is the ritualistic and universally understood gesture within Israelite legal custom that signifies the surrender of a right or responsibility. Its execution immediately makes the agreement binding and irrevocable, establishing the public transfer of the `go'el` role concerning Naomi's land and Ruth.

Ruth 4 8 Bonus section

The withholding of the closer kinsman's name (hag-go'el, "the redeemer," but never by a personal name) stands in stark contrast to the frequent naming of Boaz throughout the narrative. This anonymity might signify his spiritual poverty or insignificance in the divine plan, highlighting his self-interested decision that removed him from the lineage of Christ. Furthermore, this transaction at the city gate not only serves as a legal transfer but also exemplifies a profound spiritual principle of "redemption" found throughout Scripture. The go'el in this narrative is a type for the greater Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who did not recoil from the costly and complete act of redemption required to restore His people. Unlike the unnamed kinsman who saw the "harm to his own inheritance," Christ willingly paid the ultimate price to secure ours, uniting us with His inheritance (Eph 1:11). This verse is a vital step in showing how the seemingly pragmatic legal workings of ancient Israel serve as a picture of divine purpose and ultimate redemption.

Ruth 4 8 Commentary

Ruth 4:8 encapsulates a moment of profound legal and symbolic significance. The nearer kinsman, through his verbal command and the definitive act of drawing off his sandal, formally abandons his legal right to redeem Naomi's property and marry Ruth. His motivation, likely economic self-interest to preserve his own lineage's wealth, becomes clear when Boaz unveils the complete package—not just the field but the responsibility to raise an heir through Ruth. The adaptability of the "sandal ceremony" from its Deut 25 context (shame for refusing levirate duty) to this more general legal transference is striking, highlighting its accepted use as a powerful and recognized legal symbol of abandonment or transfer of rights and obligations. This act legally clears the way for Boaz, who is willing to undertake the full responsibility, securing the future of Elimelech's line through Ruth, which ultimately ties into the messianic lineage of King David and Jesus Christ. This transaction, executed publicly before the elders at the city gate, underscored the sanctity of agreements and the importance of witness in ancient Israelite society.