RUTH 4:7 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) (At that time in Yisrael, people had a different way of buying land or exchanging goods between them. In order to make these matters legally binding, one man would take off one of his sandals and give it to the other party. That was the way people in Yisrael confirmed what they had agreed to do.)[ref]

Key: khaki:verbs.
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).

BrLXX Καὶ τοῦτο τὸ δικαίωμα ἔμπροσθεν ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ ἐπὶ τὴν ἀγχιστείαν, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸ ἀντάλλαγμα τοῦ στῆσαι πάντα λόγον· καὶ ὑπελύετο ἀνὴρ τὸ ὑπόδημα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐδίδου τῷ πλησίον αὐτοῦ τῷ ἀγχιστεύοντι τὴν ἀγχιστείαν αὐτοῦ· καὶ τοῦτο ἦν μαρτύριον ἐν Ἰσραήλ.
(Kai touto to dikaiōma emprosthen en tōi Israaʸl epi taʸn agⱪisteian, kai epi to antallagma tou staʸsai panta logon; kai hupelueto anaʸr to hupodaʸma autou, kai edidou tōi plaʸsion autou tōi agⱪisteuonti taʸn agⱪisteian autou; kai touto aʸn marturion en Israaʸl. )

BrTr And this was in former time the ordinance in Israel for redemption, and for a bargain, to confirm every word: A man loosed his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour that redeemed his right; and this was a testimony in Israel.

ULT Now this, formerly in Israel, concerning redemption and concerning exchange, to confirm any matter: a man took off his sandal and gave it to his friend. So this was the form of legal agreement in Israel.

UST (At that time in Israel, people had a different way of redeeming land or exchanging goods between them. In order to make these matters legally binding, one man would take off one of his sandals and give it to the other man. That was the way people in Israel made final what they had agreed to do.)

OEB Now this used to be the custom in Israel: to make valid anything relating to a matter of redemption or exchange, a man drew off his sandal and gave it to the other man; and this was the way contracts were attested in Israel.

WEBBE Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man took off his sandal, and gave it to his neighbour; and this was the way of formalizing transactions in Israel.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET (Now this used to be the customary way to finalize a transaction involving redemption in Israel: A man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party. This was a legally binding act in Israel.)

LSV And this [is] formerly in Israel for redemption and for exchanging, to establish anything: a man has drawn off his sandal, and given [it] to his neighbor, and this [is] the Testimony in Israel.

FBV (Now during those times it was the custom in Israel to confirm the action of family redeemer, property transfer, or any similar legal matter by removing a sandal and handing it over. This was the way of validating a transaction in Israel.)

T4T At that time, it was the custom in Israel, when a person bought property that belonged to another person, that the man who was selling the property would take off one of his sandals and give it to the one who was buying the property. That was the way they finalized sales in Israel.

LEB (Now this _⌊was the custom in former times_⌋[fn] in Israel concerning the kinsman-redemption and transfer of property: to confirm the matter, a man removed his sandal and gave it to his fellow countryman. This was the manner of attesting in Israel.)

4:7 Literally “before faces”

BBE Now, in earlier times this was the way in Israel when property was taken over by a near relation, or when there was a change of owner. To make the exchange certain one man took off his shoe and gave it to the other; and this was a witness in Israel.

Moff No Moff RUTH book available

JPS Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour; and this was the attestation in Israel. —

ASV Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

DRA Now this in former times was the manner in Israel between kinsmen, that if at any time one yielded his right to another: that the grant might be sure, the man put off his shoe, and gave it to his neighhour; this was a testimony of cession of right in Israel.

YLT And this [is] formerly in Israel for redemption and for changing, to establish anything: a man hath drawn off his sandal, and given [it] to his neighbour, and this [is] the testimony in Israel.

Drby Now this [was the custom] in former time in Israel concerning redemption and concerning exchange, to confirm the whole matter: a man drew off his sandal, and gave it to his neighbour, and this was the [mode of] attestation in Israel.

RV Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, for to confirm all things; a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

SLT And this before in Israel upon redemption and upon exchange, to set up all the word; a man drew off his shoe and gave to his neighbor: and this the precept in Israel.

Wbstr Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for confirming all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor: and this was a testimony in Israel.

KJB-1769 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.

KJB-1611 Now this was the maner in former time in Israel, concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirme all things: a man plucked off his shooe, and gaue it to his neighbour: and this was a testimonie in Israel.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from marking of added words (and possibly capitalisation and punctuation))

Bshps Nowe this was the maner of olde time in Israel concerning redeeming & chaunging, for to stablishe al thing: that a man must plucke of his shoe, & geue it his neyghbour: And this was a sure witnesse in Israel.
(Now this was the manner of old time in Israel concerning redeeming and changing, for to stablishe all thing: that a man must pluck of his shoe, and give it his neighbour: And this was a sure witness in Israel.)

Gnva Now this was the maner beforetime in Israel, concerning redeeming and changing, for to stablish all things: a man did plucke off his shooe, and gaue it his neighbour, and this was a sure witnes in Israel.
(Now this was the manner beforetime in Israel, concerning redeeming and changing, for to establish all things: a man did pluck off his shoe, and gave it his neighbour, and this was a sure witness in Israel. )

Cvdl But this was an olde custome in Israel concernynge the redemynge & chauginge, yt all matters mighte be stable, the one put of his shue, & gaue it vnto ye other: yt was the testimony in Israel.
(But this was an old custom in Israel concerning the redeming and chauginge, it all matters might be stable, the one put of his shoe, and gave it unto ye/you_all other: it was the testimony in Israel.)

Wycl Forsothe this was the custom bi eld tyme in Israel among kynesmen, that if a man yaf his riyt to anothir man, that the grauntyng were stidefast, the man vnlaase his scho, and yaf to his kynesman; this was the witnessyng of the yift in Israel.
(For_certain/Truly this was the custom by old time in Israel among kynesmen, that if a man gave his right to another man, that the graunting were steadfast, the man unlaase his scho, and gave to his kinsman/relative; this was the witnessing of the yift in Israel.)

Luth Es war aber von alters her eine solche Gewohnheit in Israel: Wenn einer ein Gut nicht beerben noch erkaufen wollte, auf daß allerlei Sache bestünde, so zog er seinen Schuh aus und gab ihn dem andern; das war das Zeugnis in Israel.
(It what/which but from alters her a/one such habit/practice in Israel: When one/a a good_(one) not beerben still erkaufen wanted, on/in/to that all_sorts_of_things matter would_exist, so pulled he his shoe out_of and gave him/it to_him change/modify; the what/which the transcript in Israel.)

ClVg Hic autem erat mos antiquitus in Israël inter propinquos, ut siquando alter alteri suo juri cedebat, ut esset firma concessio, solvebat homo calceamentum suum, et dabat proximo suo: hoc erat testimonium cessionis in Israël.
(Here/This however was custom/practice antiquitus in/into/on Israel between close_bys, as siquando the_other to_another his_own yuri cedebat, as was firma concessio, solvebat human shoe/sandal his_own, and gave the_next his_own: this was testimony cessionis in/into/on Israel. )

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 4:7–8

This paragraph describes the sandal ceremony that finalized the redemption of property.

4:7

This verse is background material. Use whatever way is appropriate in your language to indicate that this is background material and not part of the main story.

Apparently, at the time that the author wrote this story, the people of Israel were no longer practicing the same customs for legal matters, so he needed to explain it.

4:7a

Now in former times in Israel,

¶ (In the past in Israel,
¶ In Israel long ago,

Now: The Hebrew conjunction that the BSB translates as Now introduces background information about an old custom. It is not a time word here.

in former times in Israel: This phrase refers to a period of time in the past, long before the author wrote this book.Campbell (page 147) points out that the time period indicated by the Hebrew words can refer to anything from less than a generation to 700 years, but that here the shorter time period is more likely. NICOT (pages 247–249) suggests that “that the author wrote at some temporal distance from the events of his story.”

Here are some other ways to translate it:

in former times, it was the custom in Israel (NJB)

Long ago in Israel (NCV)

(This is the way it used to be in Israel (GW)

4:7b

concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding

people used to finalize/complete their purchase and exchange of items in this way:
there was a custom to show that people had completed buying or exchanging possessions.

concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding: The custom mentioned in 4:7c was followed:

when there was a redemption of property or possessions, and
when there was some exchange of property or other possessions.

redemption: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as redemption is the noun that refers to the responsibility of purchasing the land of a poor relative.

exchange: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as exchange refers to a transfer or exchange.

of property: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as of property is literally “of all things.” It refers to any object or possession, not just to land.

to make any matter legally binding: The Hebrew phrase to make any matter legally binding means “to confirm,” “to establish,” or “to show that they had agreed.”

Here are other ways to translate this verse part:

to confirm a transaction in matters of redemption or inheritance (NJB)

when people traded or bought back something (NCV)

to settle a sale or an exchange of property (GNT)

4:7c

a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party,

one man took off his sandal and handed it to the other man.
A man would take off his sandal and give it to the other man to show that the business action was complete.

a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party: The Hebrew words that the BSB translates as a man…the other party refers to the two people involved in the matter. Probably only men took part in such legal transactions, so it is acceptable to use masculine words in your translation here.

one party took off his sandal and give it to the other (NIV)

for the seller to take off his sandal and give it to the buyer (GNT)

remove his sandal: The sandal referred to here was most likely the common footwear of that time. It probably had a hard leather sole, with straps or strips of leather crossing over the top of the foot. If you do not have a word meaning sandal in your language, there are at least two options for translating this term:

Use a general word that refers to footwear.
Use a specific word in your language that refers to something similar to a sandal. For example:
thong/flip-flop

4:7d

and this was a confirmation in Israel.

This was the way men publicly confirmed business exchanges in Israel.)
This was what a man used to do in Israel to show everyone that he agreed to sell a valuable property to someone else.

and this was a confirmation in Israel: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as a confirmation occurs in only three places.NICOT (pages 250–252) lists Ruth 4:7d, Isaiah 8:16, 20. It probably refers to the way that people in Israel confirmed their agreements at that time. For example:

This was the way a contract was publicly approved in Israel. (GW)

In this way the Israelites showed that the matter was settled. (GNT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-background

וְ⁠זֹאת֩

and,this

The word Now marks what follows as background information that the writer wants the reader to know in order to understand the story. Use your language’s way of giving background information in a story. Alternate translation: [You need to know this:]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

וְ⁠זֹאת֩

and,this

Here some words are left out that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [Now this was the custom]

Note 3 topic: writing-background

לְ⁠פָנִ֨ים

formerly,

The word formerly implies that this custom was no longer practiced when the book of Ruth was written. Use a word or phrase that has this meaning. Alternate translation: [in earlier times]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

לְ⁠רֵעֵ֑⁠הוּ

to,his_of,neighbor

The words to his friend refer to the person with whom a man was making the agreement. Alternate translation: [to the counterparty] or [to the man with whom he was making an agreement]

Parallel RUTH 4:7