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Selected Verse: Ruth 4:6 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ru 4:6	Strong Concordance	And the kinsman [01350] said [0559], I cannot [03201] redeem [01350] it for myself, lest I mar [07843] mine own inheritance [05159]: redeem [01350] thou my right [01353] to thyself; for I cannot [03201] redeem [01350] it.
	King James	And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
HE REFUSES THE REDEMPTION. (Rut 4:6-8) The kinsman said, I cannot redeem it . . ., lest I mar mine own inheritance--This consequence would follow, either, first, from his having a son by Ruth, who, though heir to the property, would not bear his name; his name would be extinguished in that of her former husband; or, secondly, from its having to be subdivided among his other children, which he had probably by a previous marriage. This right, therefore, was renounced and assigned in favor of Boaz, in the way of whose marriage with Ruth the only existing obstacle was now removed.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

HE REFUSES THE REDEMPTION. (Rut 4:6-8)

The kinsman said, I cannot redeem it . . ., lest I mar mine own inheritance--This consequence would follow, either, first, from his having a son by Ruth, who, though heir to the property, would not bear his name; his name would be extinguished in that of her former husband; or, secondly, from its having to be subdivided among his other children, which he had probably by a previous marriage. This right, therefore, was renounced and assigned in favor of Boaz, in the way of whose marriage with Ruth the only existing obstacle was now removed.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
I mar mine own inheritance - The meaning of these words is doubtful. Some explain them by saying that the גאל gā'al had a wife and children already, and would not introduce strife into his family. Others think that there was a risk (which he would not incur) of the go'el's own name being blotted out from his inheritance Rut 4:10. Others take the word translated as "mar" in a sense of wasting or spending. If he had to find the purchase-money, and support Naomi and Ruth, his own fortune would be broken down, if, as is likely, he was a man of slender means. Boaz, being "a mighty man of wealth," could afford this. Redeem thou my right ... - Literally, redeem my redemption - perform that act of redemption which properly belongs to me, but which I cannot perform.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
The redeemer admitted the justice of this demand, from which we may see that the thing passed as an existing right in the nation. But as he was not disposed to marry Ruth, he gave up the redemption of the field. Rut 4:6-13 "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance." The redemption would cost money, since the yearly produce of the field would have to be paid for up to the year of jubilee. Now, if he acquired the field by redemption as his own permanent property, he would have increased by so much his own possessions in land. But if he should marry Ruth, the field so redeemed would belong to the son whom he would beget through her, and he would therefore have parted with the money that he had paid for the redemption merely for the son of Ruth, so that he would have withdrawn a certain amount of capital from his own possession, and to that extent have detracted from its worth. "Redeem thou for thyself my redemption," i.e., the field which I have the first right to redeem. Rut 4:7-8 This declaration he confirmed by what was a usual custom at that time in renouncing a right. This early custom is described in Rut 4:7, and there its application to the case before us is mentioned afterwards. "Now this was (took place) formerly in Israel in redeeming and exchanging, to confirm every transaction: A man took off his shoe and gave it to another, and this was a testimony in Israel." From the expression "formerly," and also from the description given of the custom in question, it follows that it had gone out of use at the time when our book was composed. The custom itself, which existed among the Indians and the ancient Germans, arose from the fact that fixed property was taken possession of by treading upon the soil, and hence taking off the shoe and handing it to another was a symbol of the transfer of a possession or right of ownership (see the remarks on Deu 25:9 and my Bibl. Archol. ii. p. 66). The Piel קיּם is rarely met with in Hebrew; in the present instance it was probably taken from the old legal phraseology. The only other places in which it occurs are Eze 13:6; Psa 119:28, Psa 119:106, and the book of Esther, where it is used more frequently as a Chaldaism. Rut 4:9-10 After the nearest redeemer had thus renounced the right of redemption with all legal formality, Boaz said to the elders and all the (rest of the) people, "Ye are witnesses this day, that I have acquired this day all that belonged to Elimelech, and to Mahlon and Chilion (i.e., the field of Elimelech, which was the rightful inheritance of his sons Mahlon and Chilion), at the hand of Naomi; and also Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased upon his inheritance, that the name of the deceased may not be cut off among his brethren and from the gate of his people" (i.e., from his native town Bethlehem; cf. Rut 3:11). On the fact itself, see the introduction to Ruth 3; also the remarks on the Levirate marriages at Deu 25:5. Rut 4:11 The people and the elders said, "We are witnesses," and desired for Boaz the blessing of the Lord upon this marriage. For Boaz had acted as unselfishly as he had acted honourably in upholding a laudable family custom in Israel. The blessing desired is the greatest blessing of marriage: "The Lord make the woman that shall come into thine house (the participle בּאה refers to what is immediately about to happen) like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel ("build" as in Gen 16:2; Gen 30:3); and do thou get power in Ephratah, and make to thyself a name in Bethlehem." חיל עשׂה does not mean "get property or wealth," as in Deu 8:17, but get power, as in Ps. 60:14 (cf. Pro 31:29), sc., by begetting and training worthy sons and daughters. "Make thee a name," literally "call out a name." The meaning of this phrase, which is only used here in this peculiar manner, must be the following: "Make to thyself a well-established name through thy marriage with Ruth, by a host of worthy sons who shall make thy name renowned." Rut 4:12 "May thy house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah" (Gen 38). It was from Perez that the ancestors of Boaz, enumerated in Rut 4:18. and Ch1 2:5., were descended. As from Perez, so also from the seed which Jehovah would give to Boaz through Ruth, there should grow up a numerous posterity.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

The redeemer admitted the justice of this demand, from which we may see that the thing passed as an existing right in the nation. But as he was not disposed to marry Ruth, he gave up the redemption of the field.

Rut 4:6-13

"I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance." The redemption would cost money, since the yearly produce of the field would have to be paid for up to the year of jubilee. Now, if he acquired the field by redemption as his own permanent property, he would have increased by so much his own possessions in land. But if he should marry Ruth, the field so redeemed would belong to the son whom he would beget through her, and he would therefore have parted with the money that he had paid for the redemption merely for the son of Ruth, so that he would have withdrawn a certain amount of capital from his own possession, and to that extent have detracted from its worth. "Redeem thou for thyself my redemption," i.e., the field which I have the first right to redeem.

Rut 4:7-8

This declaration he confirmed by what was a usual custom at that time in renouncing a right. This early custom is described in Rut 4:7, and there its application to the case before us is mentioned afterwards. "Now this was (took place) formerly in Israel in redeeming and exchanging, to confirm every transaction: A man took off his shoe and gave it to another, and this was a testimony in Israel." From the expression "formerly," and also from the description given of the custom in question, it follows that it had gone out of use at the time when our book was composed. The custom itself, which existed among the Indians and the ancient Germans, arose from the fact that fixed property was taken possession of by treading upon the soil, and hence taking off the shoe and handing it to another was a symbol of the transfer of a possession or right of ownership (see the remarks on Deu 25:9 and my Bibl. Archol. ii. p. 66). The Piel קיּם is rarely met with in Hebrew; in the present instance it was probably taken from the old legal phraseology. The only other places in which it occurs are Eze 13:6; Psa 119:28, Psa 119:106, and the book of Esther, where it is used more frequently as a Chaldaism.

Rut 4:9-10

After the nearest redeemer had thus renounced the right of redemption with all legal formality, Boaz said to the elders and all the (rest of the) people, "Ye are witnesses this day, that I have acquired this day all that belonged to Elimelech, and to Mahlon and Chilion (i.e., the field of Elimelech, which was the rightful inheritance of his sons Mahlon and Chilion), at the hand of Naomi; and also Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased upon his inheritance, that the name of the deceased may not be cut off among his brethren and from the gate of his people" (i.e., from his native town Bethlehem; cf. Rut 3:11). On the fact itself, see the introduction to Ruth 3; also the remarks on the Levirate marriages at Deu 25:5.

Rut 4:11

The people and the elders said, "We are witnesses," and desired for Boaz the blessing of the Lord upon this marriage. For Boaz had acted as unselfishly as he had acted honourably in upholding a laudable family custom in Israel. The blessing desired is the greatest blessing of marriage: "The Lord make the woman that shall come into thine house (the participle בּאה refers to what is immediately about to happen) like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel ("build" as in Gen 16:2; Gen 30:3); and do thou get power in Ephratah, and make to thyself a name in Bethlehem." חיל עשׂה does not mean "get property or wealth," as in Deu 8:17, but get power, as in Ps. 60:14 (cf. Pro 31:29), sc., by begetting and training worthy sons and daughters. "Make thee a name," literally "call out a name." The meaning of this phrase, which is only used here in this peculiar manner, must be the following: "Make to thyself a well-established name through thy marriage with Ruth, by a host of worthy sons who shall make thy name renowned."

Rut 4:12

"May thy house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah" (Gen 38). It was from Perez that the ancestors of Boaz, enumerated in Rut 4:18. and Ch1 2:5., were descended. As from Perez, so also from the seed which Jehovah would give to Boaz through Ruth, there should grow up a numerous posterity.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Mar - Either because having no children of his own, he might have one, and but one son by Ruth, who, though he should carry away his inheritance, yet would not bear his name, but the name of Ruth's husband; and so by preserving another man's name, he should lose his own. Or, because as his inheritance would be but very little increased by this marriage, so it might be much diminished by being divided amongst his many children, which he possibly had already, and might probably have more by Ruth. My right - Which I freely resign to thee.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
I cannot redeem it for myself - The Targum gives the proper sense of this passage: "And the kinsman said, On this ground I cannot redeem it, because I have a wife already; and I have no desire to take another, lest there should be contention in my house, and I should become a corrupter of my inheritance. Do thou redeem it, for thou hast no wife; for I cannot redeem it." This needs no comment. But still the gloss of the Targum has no foundation in the law of Moses. See the law, Deu 25:5-9.

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¹⁰ Moreover Ruth [07327] the Moabitess [04125], the wife [0802] of Mahlon [04248], have I purchased [07069] to be my wife [0802], to raise up [06965] the name [08034] of the dead [04191] upon his inheritance [05159], that the name [08034] of the dead [04191] be not cut off [03772] from among [05973] his brethren [0251], and from the gate [08179] of his place [04725]: ye are witnesses [05707] this day [03117].

⁵ The sons [01121] of Pharez [06557]; Hezron [02696], and Hamul [02538].

¹⁸ Now these are the generations [08435] of Pharez [06557]: Pharez [06557] begat [03205] Hezron [02696],

¹² And let thy house [01004] be like the house [01004] of Pharez [06557], whom Tamar [08559] bare [03205] unto Judah [03063], of the seed [02233] which the LORD [03068] shall give [05414] thee of this young woman [05291].

²⁹ Many [07227] daughters [01323] have done [06213] virtuously [02428], but thou excellest [05927] them all.

¹⁷ And thou say [0559] in thine heart [03824], My power [03581] and the might [06108] of mine hand [03027] hath gotten [06213] me this wealth [02428].

³ And she said [0559], Behold my maid [0519] Bilhah [01090], go in [0935] unto her; and she shall bear [03205] upon my knees [01290], that I may also have children [01129] by her.

² And Sarai [08297] said [0559] unto Abram [087], Behold now, the LORD [03068] hath restrained me [06113] from bearing [03205]: I pray thee, go in [0935] unto my maid [08198]; it may [0194] be that I may obtain children [01129] by her. And Abram [087] hearkened [08085] to the voice [06963] of Sarai [08297].

¹¹ And all the people [05971] that were in the gate [08179], and the elders [02205], said [0559], We are witnesses [05707]. The LORD [03068] make [05414] the woman [0802] that is come [0935] into thine house [01004] like Rachel [07354] and like Leah [03812], which two [08147] did build [01129] the house [01004] of Israel [03478]: and do [06213] thou worthily [02428] in Ephratah [0672], and be famous [07121] [08034] in Bethlehem [01035]:

¹¹ And now, my daughter [01323], fear [03372] not; I will do [06213] to thee all that thou requirest [0559]: for all the city [08179] of my people [05971] doth know [03045] that thou art a virtuous [02428] woman [0802].

⁹ And Boaz [01162] said [0559] unto the elders [02205], and unto all the people [05971], Ye are witnesses [05707] this day [03117], that I have bought [07069] all that was Elimelech's [0458], and all that was Chilion's [03630] and Mahlon's [04248], of the hand [03027] of Naomi [05281].
¹⁰ Moreover Ruth [07327] the Moabitess [04125], the wife [0802] of Mahlon [04248], have I purchased [07069] to be my wife [0802], to raise up [06965] the name [08034] of the dead [04191] upon his inheritance [05159], that the name [08034] of the dead [04191] be not cut off [03772] from among [05973] his brethren [0251], and from the gate [08179] of his place [04725]: ye are witnesses [05707] this day [03117].

¹⁰⁶ I have sworn [07650], and I will perform [06965] it, that I will keep [08104] thy righteous [06664] judgments [04941].

²⁸ My soul [05315] melteth [01811] for heaviness [08424]: strengthen [06965] thou me according unto thy word [01697].

⁶ They have seen [02372] vanity [07723] and lying [03577] divination [07081], saying [0559], The LORD [03068] saith [05002]: and the LORD [03068] hath not sent [07971] them: and they have made others to hope [03176] that they would confirm [06965] the word [01697].

⁹ Then shall his brother's wife [02994] come [05066] unto him in the presence [05869] of the elders [02205], and loose [02502] his shoe [05275] from off his foot [07272], and spit [03417] in his face [06440], and shall answer [06030] and say [0559], So shall it be done [06213] unto that man [0376] that will not build up [01129] his brother's [0251] house [01004].

⁷ Now this was the manner in former time [06440] in Israel [03478] concerning redeeming [01353] and concerning changing [08545], for to confirm [06965] all things [01697]; a man [0376] plucked off [08025] his shoe [05275], and gave [05414] it to his neighbour [07453]: and this was a testimony [08584] in Israel [03478].

⁶ And the kinsman [01350] said [0559], I cannot [03201] redeem [01350] it for myself, lest I mar [07843] mine own inheritance [05159]: redeem [01350] thou my right [01353] to thyself; for I cannot [03201] redeem [01350] it.
⁷ Now this was the manner in former time [06440] in Israel [03478] concerning redeeming [01353] and concerning changing [08545], for to confirm [06965] all things [01697]; a man [0376] plucked off [08025] his shoe [05275], and gave [05414] it to his neighbour [07453]: and this was a testimony [08584] in Israel [03478].
⁸ Therefore the kinsman [01350] said [0559] unto Boaz [01162], Buy [07069] it for thee. So he drew off [08025] his shoe [05275].
⁹ And Boaz [01162] said [0559] unto the elders [02205], and unto all the people [05971], Ye are witnesses [05707] this day [03117], that I have bought [07069] all that was Elimelech's [0458], and all that was Chilion's [03630] and Mahlon's [04248], of the hand [03027] of Naomi [05281].
¹⁰ Moreover Ruth [07327] the Moabitess [04125], the wife [0802] of Mahlon [04248], have I purchased [07069] to be my wife [0802], to raise up [06965] the name [08034] of the dead [04191] upon his inheritance [05159], that the name [08034] of the dead [04191] be not cut off [03772] from among [05973] his brethren [0251], and from the gate [08179] of his place [04725]: ye are witnesses [05707] this day [03117].
¹¹ And all the people [05971] that were in the gate [08179], and the elders [02205], said [0559], We are witnesses [05707]. The LORD [03068] make [05414] the woman [0802] that is come [0935] into thine house [01004] like Rachel [07354] and like Leah [03812], which two [08147] did build [01129] the house [01004] of Israel [03478]: and do [06213] thou worthily [02428] in Ephratah [0672], and be famous [07121] [08034] in Bethlehem [01035]:
¹² And let thy house [01004] be like the house [01004] of Pharez [06557], whom Tamar [08559] bare [03205] unto Judah [03063], of the seed [02233] which the LORD [03068] shall give [05414] thee of this young woman [05291].
¹³ So Boaz [01162] took [03947] Ruth [07327], and she was his wife [0802]: and when he went in [0935] unto her, the LORD [03068] gave [05414] her conception [02032], and she bare [03205] a son [01121].

⁵ If brethren [0251] dwell [03427] together [03162], and one [0259] of them die [04191], and have no child [01121], the wife [0802] of the dead [04191] shall not marry without [02351] unto a stranger [0376] [02114]: her husband's brother [02993] shall go in [0935] unto her, and take [03947] her to him to wife [0802], and perform the duty of an husband's brother [02992] unto her.
⁶ And it shall be, that the firstborn [01060] which she beareth [03205] shall succeed [06965] in the name [08034] of his brother [0251] which is dead [04191], that his name [08034] be not put out [04229] of Israel [03478].
⁷ And if the man [0376] like [02654] not to take [03947] his brother's wife [02994], then let his brother's wife [02994] go up [05927] to the gate [08179] unto the elders [02205], and say [0559], My husband's brother [02993] refuseth [03985] to raise up [06965] unto his brother [0251] a name [08034] in Israel [03478], he will [014] not perform the duty of my husband's brother [02992].
⁸ Then the elders [02205] of his city [05892] shall call [07121] him, and speak [01696] unto him: and if he stand [05975] to it, and say [0559], I like [02654] not to take [03947] her;
⁹ Then shall his brother's wife [02994] come [05066] unto him in the presence [05869] of the elders [02205], and loose [02502] his shoe [05275] from off his foot [07272], and spit [03417] in his face [06440], and shall answer [06030] and say [0559], So shall it be done [06213] unto that man [0376] that will not build up [01129] his brother's [0251] house [01004].