Ruth 4:8

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 4:8

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

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 4:8

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 4:1-22

Boaz marries Ruth (4:1-22)Feeling the effects of the poverty of widowhood, Naomi decided to sell her late husband’s land. To prevent the land from passing out of the family, she had to ensure that it was bought (or redeemed) by the nearest relative (cf. Leviticus 25:23-28). In this case that person was the same one who had to produce through Ruth an heir who could carry on the names of the late Elimelech (Naomi’s husband) and Mahlon (Elimelech’s son and Ruth’s husband). But should such an heir... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ruth 4:8

drew = plucked. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 4:8

"So the near kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thyself. And he drew off his shoe."Presumably, he handed the shoe to Boaz, symbolizing the transfer of the right of redemption. But, of course, when the ceremony ended, "Boaz returned the shoe to the near kinsman."[11] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ruth 4:7-12

B. Boaz obtains the right to marry Ruth 4:7-12Probably the practice of standing on land one possessed led to the custom of using the sandal as a symbol of possession in land transactions (Ruth 4:7; cf. Genesis 13:17; Deuteronomy 1:36; Deuteronomy 11:24; Joshua 1:3; Joshua 14:9). [Note: Ernest R. Lacheman, "Note on Ruth 4:7-8," Journal of Biblical Literature 56 (1937):53-56.] Many scholars believe that it was the kinsman who removed his sandal to symbolize the completion of the transaction (Ruth... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 4:1-22

The Marriage of Boaz and Ruth. The Birth of their Child1. Boaz went up from the threshing floor to the open space by the city-gate, where the business he had in hand would have to be done, where, too, he would catch the other kinsman on his way out to the field. The author does not know this man’s name, and therefore contents himself with calling him ’So and So.’2. Ten was considered a perfect number (Jeremiah 6:27; 1 Samuel 25:5; 2 Samuel 18:15): where ten Jews live there should be a... read more

Group of Brands