Ruth 4:7-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 4:1-8

Here, 1. Boaz calls a court immediately. It is probable he was himself one of the elders (or aldermen) of the city; for he was a mighty man of wealth. Perhaps he was father of the city, and sat chief; for he seems here to have gone up to the gate as one having authority, and not as a common person; like Job, Job 29:7-25 We cannot suppose him less than a magistrate in his city who was grandson to Nahshon, prince of Judah; and his lying at the end of a heap of corn in the threshing-floor the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:7

Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming ,.... It is a custom, and not a law, that seems here referred to, when an estate was bought and sold; not the law in Leviticus 25:25 , though that respects the redemption of an estate by a near kinsman, yet no such manner was enjoined as here practised afterwards, made mention of; nor the law in Deuteronomy 25:5 which does not concern the redemption of estates, nor a kinsman's marrying the widow of a deceased kinsman,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:8

And therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, buy it for me ,.... Which is repeated to show he gave his full consent to it, that he should make the purchase of it if he pleased, and which he confirmed by the following rite: so he drew off his shoe ; thereby signifying that he relinquished his right to the purchase of the estate, and ceded it to him; the Targum has it,"and Boaz drew off the glove off his right hand, and bought it of him;'and so Aben Ezra,"and Boaz drew off his shoe, and gave... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 4:7

A man plucked off his shoe - The law of such a case is given at large in Deuteronomy 25:5-9 . It was simply this: If a brother, who had married a wife, died without children, the eldest brother was to take the widow, and raise up a family to the brother deceased; and he had a right to redeem the inheritance, if it had been alienated. But if the person who had the right of redemption would not take the woman, she was to pull off his shoe and spit in his face, and he was ever after... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:1-12

The bridal of Boaz and Ruth. I. THERE WERE SOME OBSTACLES IN THE WAY . There were none, indeed, in Boaz's heart; it was full of pure esteem and love for Ruth. There were none in his financial circumstances; he was able to provide amply for her comfort, and for all his own necessities and conveniences. There were none in his physical condition; he had been temperate in all things, and was in the enjoyment of health and strength. Neither were there any obstacles in Ruth's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:3-8

The goel. Every nation has its own domestic and social usages. Among those prevalent in Israel was the relationship of the goel . He was the redeemer, or the next kinsman of one deceased, whose duty it was to purchase an inheritance in danger of lapsing, or to redeem one lapsed. The duties were defined in the Levitical law. According to the custom and regulation known as Levirate, he was expected to marry the widow of the deceased, and to raise up seed unto the dead, in case no issue... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:7

And this was formerly a custom in Israel, on occasion of surrendering rights of kinship, or of selling and buying land, in order to confirm any matter; a man drew off his shoe and gave it to the other contracting party. This was attestation in Israel. We give a free translation. The custom was significant enough. He who sold land, or surrendered his right to act as a kinsman in buying land, intimated by the symbolical act of taking off his shoe, and handing it to his friend, that he freely... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 4:8

And the kinsman said to Boaz, Acquire for thyself; and drew off his shoe. On the instant that he said, "Acquire for thyself," viz; the land with its living appurtenant, he drew off his shoe and presented it. Josephus allowed his imagination to run off with his memory when, mixing up the historical case before us with the details of the ancient Levirate law ( Deuteronomy 25:7-9 ), which were, in later times at all events, more honored in the breach than in the observance, he represents Boaz... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 4:7

In former time in Israel - Showing that the custom was obsolete in the writer’s days. The letter of the law (see the marginal reference) was not strictly followed. It was thought sufficient for the man to pull off his own shoe and give it to the man to whom he ceded his right, in the presence of the elders of his city. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 4:7

Ruth 4:7. Now this was the manner in Israel, &c. We do not know that there was any law of God enjoining any such ceremony as is here mentioned; but only it was a long-established custom to act thus in transferring one man’s right in any land to another. To confirm all things That is, in all alienation of lands. So that it is no wonder if this ceremony differ a little from that mentioned Deuteronomy 25:9, because that concerned only one case, but this is more general. Besides, he... read more

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