Ruth 4:3
What does Ruth 4:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 4:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 4:3 means
Boaz states the case clearly: Naomi has returned from Moab and is selling Elimelech’s parcel of land. The land is part of the family inheritance and should stay within the clan if possible. Boaz calls Elimelech “our brother,” highlighting kinship obligations. Naomi’s sale likely reflects her poverty and need for security. The law provided for a close relative to redeem such property so the family’s name and portion would not vanish. Boaz is not manipulating but informing, honoring the nearer kinsman’s right to act first. The issue at hand is initially framed as property redemption, not marriage, to proceed in proper legal order.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he said unto the near kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he said unto the near kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then he said to the near relation, Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is offering for a price that bit of land which was our brother Elimelech's:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he saith to the redeemer, `A portion of the field which <FI>is<Fi> to our brother, to Elimelech, hath Naomi sold, who hath come back from the fields of Moab;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They sat down, and he spoke to the kinsman: Noemi, who is returned from the country of Moab will sell a parcel of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said to him that had the right of redemption: Naomi, who is come back out of the country of Moab, sells the allotment that was our brother Elimelech's.
Context
Having convened witnesses, Boaz now presents the facts. The focus starts with Naomi’s land because it is an objective, verifiable matter and the first obligation of a redeemer. By beginning here, Boaz respects sequence and law. Soon, in the next verses, he will connect the land to Ruth’s situation, revealing the fuller scope of redemption. The narrative unfolds deliberately: first the land, then the levirate-like duty, prompting the nearer kinsman’s reconsideration of his willingness to redeem.
v.2And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
v.3This passage
v.4and I thought to disclose it unto thee, saying, Buy it before them that sit here, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is none to redeem it besides thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 112:5
Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth; He shall maintain his cause in judgment.
- Proverbs 13:10
By pride cometh only contention; But with the well-advised is wisdom.
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