RUTH 4:4 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) I thought that I should tell you about it and in case you buy the land while the people sitting here are listening, including these leaders of our people. If you want to buy it back into the family, then do so. But if you do not want to buy it back, then let me know, because you are the closest relative to Elimelek, and I am next after you.”
¶ “I’ll buy it,” the man replied.

4:4 OSHB variant note: ו/אדע: (x-qere) ’וְ/אֵֽדְעָה֙’: lemma_c/3045 n_1.1.1 morph_HC/Vqh1cs id_08fbk וְ/אֵֽדְעָה֙

Key: khaki:verbs, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

Or perhaps תִגְאַל

Q וְאֵֽדְעָה֙

BrLXX κᾀγὼ εἶπα, ἀποκαλύψω τὸ οὖς σου λέγων, κτῆσαι ἐναντίον τῶν καθημένων, καὶ ἐναντίον τῶν πρεσβυτέρων τοῦ λαοῦ μου. εἰ ἀγχιστεύεις, ἀγχίστευε· εἰ δὲ μὴ ἀγχιστεύεις, ἀνάγγειλόν μοι, καὶ γνώσομαι, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστι πάρεξ σοῦ τοῦ ἀγχιστεῦσαι, κᾀγώ εἰμι μετὰ σέ· ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, ἐγώ εἰμι, ἀγχιστεῦσαι, κἀγώ εἰμι, ἀγχιστεύσω.
(kagō eipa, apokalupsō to ous sou legōn, ktaʸsai enantion tōn kathaʸmenōn, kai enantion tōn presbuterōn tou laou mou. ei agⱪisteueis, agⱪisteue; ei de maʸ agⱪisteueis, anangeilon moi, kai gnōsomai, hoti ouk esti parex sou tou agⱪisteusai, kagō eimi meta se; ho de eipen, egō eimi, agⱪisteusai, kagō eimi, agⱪisteusō. )

BrTr and I said, I will inform thee, saying, Buy it before those that sit, and before the elders of my people: if thou wilt redeem it, redeem it, but if thou wilt not redeem it, tell me, and I shall know; for there is no one beside thee to do the office of a kinsman, and I am after thee: and he said, I am here, I will redeem it.

ULT Now as for me, I said that I should uncover your ear, saying, ‘Buy!’ in the presence of those who are sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not redeem it, then tell me so that I may know, for there is no one to redeem it besides you, and I am after you.”
¶  Then he said, “I will redeem it myself.”[fn][fn]

if you will not redeem it or perhaps if he will not redeem it (variant Hebrew manuscripts)

so that I may know or perhaps and let me know (Hebrew Qere)

UST I thought that I should tell you about it and suggest that you buy the field while the people who are sitting here are listening, including these leaders of our people. If you want to buy it back into the family, then do so. But if you do not want to buy it back, then let me know, because you are the closest relative to Elimelek, and I am next after you.” The man replied, “No, I will buy it!”

4:4 Many Hebrew manuscripts, LXX, Vulgate, and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts he

OEB and I thought that I would lay the matter before you, suggesting that you buy it in the presence of these men who sit here and of the elders of my people. If you will buy it and so keep it in the possession of the family, do so; but if not; then tell me, so that I may know; for no one but you has the right to buy it, and I am next to you.’
¶ ‘I will buy it,’ he said.

WEBBE I thought I should tell you, saying, ‘Buy it before those who sit here, and before the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know. For there is no one to redeem it besides you; and I am after you.”
¶ He said, “I will redeem it.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET So I am legally informing you: Acquire it before those sitting here and before the leaders of my people! If you want to exercise your right to redeem it, then do so. But if not, then tell me so I will know. For you possess the first option to redeem it; I am next in line after you.” He replied, “I will redeem it.”

LSV and I said, I uncover your ear, saying, Buy before the inhabitants and before [the] elderly of my people; if you redeem—redeem, and if none redeems—declare [it] to me and I know, for there is none except you to redeem, and I after you.” And he says, “I redeem [it].”

FBV I decided I should tell you in case you want to buy it here in the presence of these elders of the people. If you want to redeem it, then go ahead. But it you don't, then tell me so I'll know, because you are first in line to redeem it, and I'm next.”
¶ “I want to redeem it,”[fn] said the family redeemer.

4:4 The answer is not a strongly positive one.

T4T I thought that I should tell you about that, and suggest that you buy it, while these elders who are sitting here are listening. If you are willing to buy the property, do that. But if you do not want to buy it, tell me, so that I will know. I am suggesting this to you because you are the one who has the first right to buy it, and I am the one who has the second/next right to buy it.” The man replied, “I will buy it!”

LEB And I thought _⌊I would tell you_⌋[fn] and say, ‘_⌊Buy it in the presence of_⌋[fn] those sitting and before the elders of my people,’ if you want to redeem it, redeem it. But if you do not want to redeem, tell me so that I may know, for there is no one except you to redeem it, and I am after you.” And he said, “I want to redeem it.”

4:4 Literally “I would open your ear”

4:4 Literally “Buy before”

BBE And it was in my mind to give you the chance of taking it, with the approval of those seated here and of the responsible men of my people. If you are ready to do what it is right for a relation to do, then do it: but if you will not do it, say so to me now; for there is no one who has the right to do it but you, and after you myself. And he said, I will do it.

Moff No Moff RUTH book available

JPS and I thought to disclose it unto thee, saying: Buy it before them that sit here, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it; but if it will not be redeemed, then tell me, that I may know; for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee.' And he said: 'I will redeem it.'

ASV and I thought to disclose it unto thee, saying, Buy it before them that sit here, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is none to redeem it besides thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.

DRA I would have thee to understand this, and would tell thee before all that sit here, and before the ancients of my people. If thou wilt take possession of it by the right of kindred: buy it and possess it: but if it please thee not, tell me so, that I may know what I have to do. For there is no near kinsman besides thee, who art first, and me, who am second. But he answered: I will buy the field.

YLT and I said, I uncover thine ear, saying, Buy before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people; if thou dost redeem — redeem, and if none doth redeem — declare to me, and I know, for there is none save thee to redeem, and I after thee.' And he saith, I redeem [it].'

Drby And I thought I would apprise thee of it and say, Buy [it] in the presence of the inhabitants, and in the presence of the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem [it], redeem; but if thou wilt not redeem, tell me, that I may know; for there is none to redeem besides thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem [it].

RV And I thought to disclose it unto thee, saying, Buy it before them that sit here, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
(And I thought to disclose it unto thee/you, saying, Buy it before them that sit here, and before the elders of my people. If thou/you wilt/will redeem it, redeem it: but if thou/you wilt/will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee/you; and I am after thee/you. And he said, I will redeem it. )

SLT And I said, I will reveal to thine ear, saying, Buy before the inhabitants, and before the old men of my people. If thou wilt redeem, redeem: and if thou wilt not redeem, announce to me, and I shall know: for none besides thee to redeem; and I after thee; and he will say, I will redeem.

Wbstr And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it , redeem it : but if thou wilt not redeem it , then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it besides thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it .

KJB-1769 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.[fn]
(And I thought to advertise thee/you, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou/you wilt/will redeem it, redeem it: but if thou/you wilt/will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee/you; and I am after thee/you. And he said, I will redeem it. )

4.4 I thought…: Heb. I said, I will reveal in thine ear

KJB-1611 And [fn]I thought to aduertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the Elders of my people. If thou wilt redeeme it, redeeme it, but if thou wilt not redeeme it, then tell mee, that I may know: for there is none to redeeme it, besides thee, and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeeme it.
(And I thought to aduertise thee/you, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the Elders of my people. If thou/you wilt/will redeem it, redeem it, but if thou/you wilt/will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it, besides thee/you, and I am after thee/you. And he said, I will redeem it.)

4:4 Heb. I said I wil reueale in thine eare.

Bshps And I thought to do thee to wyt, and byd the bye it before thee inhabitauntes and elders of my people. If thou wilt redeeme it, redeeme it: but & if thou wilt not redeeme it, then tell me, that I may knowe: For there is none to redeeme it, saue thou, and I next thee. And the other aunswered: I will redeeme it.
(And I thought to do thee/you to wyt, and bid the bye it before thee/you inhabitants and elders of my people. If thou/you wilt/will redeem it, redeem it: but and if thou/you wilt/will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: For there is none to redeem it, save thou/you, and I next thee/you. And the other answered: I will redeem it.)

Gnva And I thought to aduertise thee, saying, Buy it before the assistants, and before the Elders of my people. If thou wilt redeeme it, redeeme it: but if thou wilt not redeeme it, tel me: for I know that there is none besides thee to redeeme it, and I am after thee. Then he answered, I wil redeeme it.
(And I thought to aduertise thee/you, saying, Buy it before the assistants, and before the Elders of my people. If thou/you wilt/will redeem it, redeem it: but if thou/you wilt/will not redeem it, tell me: for I know that there is none besides thee/you to redeem it, and I am after thee/you. Then he answered, I will redeem it. )

Cvdl therfore thoughte I to shewe it before thine eares, & to tell the: Yf thou wilt redeme it, then bye it before the citesyns & before the Elders of my people: but yf thou wylt not redeme it, then tell me, yt I maie knowe: for there is no nye kynsma excepte thou, and I nexte after the. He sayde: I wil redeme it.
(therefore thought I to show it before thine/your ears, and to tell them: If thou/you wilt/will redeem it, then bye it before the citizens and before the Elders of my people: but if thou/you wilt/will not redeem it, then tell me, it I may know: for there is no nigh/near kynsma except thou/you, and I next after them. He said: I will redeem it.)

Wycl which thing Y wolde that thou here; and Y wolde seie to thee bifor alle `men syttynge and grettere in birthe of my puple. If thou wolt haue in possessioun the feeld bi riyt of nyy kyn, bye thou, and `haue thou in possessioun; sotheli if it displesith thee, schewe thou this same thing to me, that Y wyte what Y `owe to do; for noon is niy in kyn, outakun thee which art the formere, and outakun me which am the secunde. And he answeride, Y schal bie the feeld.
(which thing I would that thou/you here; and I would say to thee/you before all men sitting and greater in birth of my people. If thou/you wilt/will have in possession the field by right of nigh/near kyn, bye thou/you, and have thou/you in possession; truly if it displeaseth/displeases thee/you, show thou/you this same thing to me, that I wyte what I owe to do; for noon is nigh/near in kyn, out-taken/except thee/you which art the formere, and out-taken/except me which am the secunde. And he answered, I shall buy the field.)

Luth Darum gedachte ich‘s vor deine Ohren zu bringen und zu sagen: Willst du es beerben, so kaufe es vor den Bürgern und vor den Ältesten meines Volks; willst du es aber nicht beerben, so sage mir‘s, daß ich‘s wisse; denn es ist kein Erbe ohne du und ich nach dir. Er sprach: Ich will‘s beerben.
(Therefore thought I...it before/in_front_of your ears to/for bring/get and to/for say: Want you(sg) it beerben, so kaufe it before/in_front_of the citizens and before/in_front_of the elders my peoples; want you(sg) it but not beerben, so said me, that I...it know; because/than it is no/not heritage without you(sg) and I after you/to_you(sg). He spoke: I wants_it beerben.)

ClVg quod audire te volui, et tibi dicere coram cunctis sedentibus, et majoribus natu de populo meo. Si vis possidere jure propinquitatis, eme, et posside: sin autem displicet tibi, hoc ipsum indica mihi, ut sciam quid facere debeam: nullus enim est propinquus, excepto te, qui prior es, et me, qui secundus sum. At ille respondit: Ego agrum emam.
(that to_hear you(sg) volui, and to_you to_say before to_all sedentibus, and to_the_elders born from/about to_the_people mine. When/But_if you_want to_possess right/justly relativestatis, eme, and get_it: sin however displease to_you, this him indica to_me, as sciam what to_do debeam: none because it_is propinquus, except you(sg), who/which prior you_are, and me, who/which after/second I_am. But he/that_one answered: I field emam. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–12: Boaz assumed responsibility for Ruth

In this final chapter of the book, Ruth received the reward for her loyalty to Naomi.

Boaz is in focus in the first twelve verses. He met with the other close relative in the presence of many witnesses to discuss the entire situation. The other relative did not want to buy Elimelech’s property that Naomi was selling, if the arrangement also meant that he had to marry Ruth. So Boaz said that he would act as the redeemer himself.

In section 4:13–17, Boaz and Ruth were married, and the LORD soon gave them a son. The women in Bethlehem named the son Obed and rejoiced that Naomi now had a “son” to carry on her family line and care for her in her old age. So both Naomi and Ruth were going to be cared for, and the women went from “emptiness” to “fullness.”

Section 4:18–22 concludes the book with a genealogy that lists of the family line of Perez, who was a son of Judah and grandson of Jacob (who is also called Israel). The family line is listed from Perez through Obed to King David.

Here are some other examples of section headings for 4:1–12:

Boaz Redeems Ruth (ESV)

Boaz Settles the Matter (NET)

Structure:

Some commentaries divide this section into four scenes:NICOT, Sakenfield, Cornerstone, and Sakenfield. These divide the scenes in at least two different ways.

4:1–2 Introduction: Boaz Convenes a Legal Assembly
4:3–8 Boaz Obtains the Rights of Redemption
4:9–10 Boaz Formalizes the Agreement
4:11–12 Witnessing and Blessing

One commentary divides this section into three scenes.Block (pages 203–204).

4:1–2 setting the stage for the legal drama
4:3–8 report of the legal drama
4:9–12 significance of legal drama

You may divide the paragraphs in these scenes in whatever way best fits the structure of your language.

Paragraph 4:3–6

This paragraph describes the legal discussion between Boaz and the closest relative to Naomi about whether he was willing to redeem the land. It concludes with this man’s refusal to do so.

4:4a

I thought I should inform you

I want to bring this to your attention
I decided that I should inform you about this.

I thought: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as I thought is literally “I said.” Boaz apparently said this to himself, thought it, or “decided.”

I should inform you: The Hebrew clause is literally “I will uncover your ear.” This is an idiom that means “give information to someone” or “cause someone to know the facts.”

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

I promised to open the matter with you (REB)

I thought I should tell you about this (NJB)

So I decided to tell you about it (NCV)

4:4b

that you may buy it back

and suggest that you buy the land
If you want to buy that land, then buy it now

that you may buy it back: The BSB uses an indirect quotation here. The Hebrew uses a direct quotation. In some languages, it may be more natural to use a direct quotation. For example:

^4aI thought I should tell you about it ^4band say, “Acquire it…” (NJB)

4:4c

in the presence of those seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people.

in front of these town leaders and other people who are sitting here.
as these ten elders and other people are here watching.

in the presence of: This means “in front of.” Boaz was saying that the other man should decide if he wanted to buy the land from Naomi, while the people Boaz had selected were there and could be witnesses.

those seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people: There are two ways to interpret these two phrases:

They refer to two groups of people. For example:
in the presence of these men sitting here and in the presence of the leaders of our people (GW) (BSB, CEV, ESV, KJV, NABRE, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NRSV, REB)
They refer to the same group of people that Boaz selected in 4:2a. For example:
in the presence of these men sitting here (GNT) (GNT, NLT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions.

The BSB and the Hebrew mention the elders last. In many languages, it will better to mention the more important group, the elders, before mentioning the other people seated there. For example:

These ten men and the others standing here can be witnesses. (CEV)

4:4d

If you want to redeem it, do so.

If you want to do your duty as the nearest relative, please do it.
If you are willing to buy it back, you to have the first chance.

If you want to redeem it, do so: In 4:4b Boaz used the general verb “buy.” But here he uses the term redeem that refers to the action of a kinsman-redeemer.

In this context, the verb includes the idea that a man buys back property to help a poor relative. So if possible you should keep the distinction here by using a different verb or verb phrase. For example:

If you wish to buy back the property, you can buy back the property. (GW)

If you are going to do your duty as next-of-kin, then do so (REB)

4:4e

But if you will not redeem it, tell me so I may know,

But if you do not want to do that, tell me, so that I will know what you intend to do.
But if you are not willing to buy it back, please tell me what you decide.

But if you will not redeem it, tell me so I may know: Boaz told the man to redeem the land if he wished to do so, but asked the man to inform him if he did not want to do it. When Boaz heard the man’s answer, he would know what he himself could do.

tell me: These two wealthy men were having a formal, legal discussion. In many languages, a direct command would be inappropriate in such a situation. Translate this direct command in a way that shows that Boaz was speaking politely to the other relative.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

But if you don’t want it, let me know right away (NLT)

But if you decide not to buy it back, please tell me so that I will know what to do

4:4f

because there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.”

For you are the first one with the right to buy it back, but I am the next person after you with this right.”
I say this, because it is you who has the responsibility to do it. If you do not do it, I will need to take that responsibility instead of you.”

because there is no one but you to redeem it: The Hebrew conjunction that the BSB translates as because introduces the reason that Boaz wanted to know the man’s decision. Boaz wanted to buy back the property himself, but this man had the right to choose first.

and I am next after you: The Hebrew clause that the BSB translates as I am next after you is literally “I am after you.” Boaz was the next relative to have the right to buy back the property.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

for I am the only person to redeem it besides yourself, and I myself come after you (NJB)

because the right to buy it belongs first to you and then to me (GNT)

4:4g

“I will redeem it,” he replied.

The other man said, “I am willing to take this responsibility.”
The closest relative replied, “I will buy it back.”

“I will redeem it,” he replied: The nearer relative made his decision and gave a positive response. For example:

He replied, “I will redeem it.” (NET)

The close relative answered, “I will buy back the land.” (NCV)

Notice that the BSB placed he replied after the quote. In some languages, it is more natural to put the quote after the introductory words, as in the examples above.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

אָמַ֜רְתִּי

thought

Here, said refers to something that Boaz said to himself in his own mind. Alternate translation: [I said to myself that] or [I felt that]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

אֶגְלֶ֧ה אָזְנְ⁠ךָ֣

tell ear_of,your

I should uncover your ear is an idiom that means “I should tell you” or “I should let you know.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I should inform you]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

נֶ֥גֶד הַֽ⁠יֹּשְׁבִים֮

in_the_presence_of [those],sitting

Having these men as witnesses would make the transaction legal and binding. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [before these witnesses]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

אִם־תִּגְאַל֙

if redeem

Here, Boaz is asking about the man’s willingness to redeem the property. Use a natural way to express this in your language. Alternate translation: [If you are willing to buy it back to keep it in the family]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-exceptions

אֵ֤ין זוּלָֽתְ⁠ךָ֙ לִ⁠גְא֔וֹל וְ⁠אָנֹכִ֖י אַחֲרֶ֑י⁠ךָ

not except,you to,redeem and,I [am]_after,you

In some languages, it may be confusing to say these things together: (1) there is no one to redeem the land besides you, (2) I can redeem the land after you. It may appear that Boaz is making a statement and then contradicting it. If so, you could say this differently. Alternate translation: [you are the first in line to redeem it, and I am the next one in line]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / rpronouns

אָנֹכִ֥י אֶגְאָֽל

I redeem

The man uses the word myself here to emphasize that he will do it and no one else. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this significance. Alternate translation: [I will be the one who redeems it]

Parallel RUTH 4:4

Section 4:1–12: Boaz assumed responsibility for Ruth

Paragraph 4:3–6

4:4a

4:4b

4:4c

4:4d

4:4e

4:4f

4:4g

The Setting of Ruth