Verse 9
Loose his shoe; partly as a sign of his resignation of all his right to the woman, and to her husband’s inheritance; for as the shoe was a sign of one’s power and right, Psalms 60:8; Psalms 108:9; so the parting with the shoe was a token of the alienation of such right, and that he would not, and henceforth might not, enter upon his brother’s land; and partly as a note of infamy, to signify that by this unnatural and disingenuous action he was unworthy to be amongst free-men, and fit to be reduced to the condition of the meanest servants or captives, who used to go barefoot, Isaiah 20:2,Isaiah 20:4.
Spit in his face, as a return of his contempt upon himself. See Numbers 12:14; Isaiah 1:6; Matthew 26:67; Matthew 27:30. This was not done, Ruth 4:0, either because he was not a brother, but a remoter kinsman, and so deserved less shame; or because Ruth did not prosecute him to the utmost, but freely consented to this exchange.
Build up; a phrase oft used for the procreation of children, and the increase of a family. See Genesis 16:2; Exodus 1:21; 1 Kings 11:38; 1 Chronicles 17:25.
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