Ruth 4:6
What does Ruth 4:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 4:6 means
The nearer kinsman withdraws, fearing to “mar” his own inheritance. Taking Ruth and raising offspring in Mahlon’s name would divide his estate and complicate his legacy. He therefore transfers his redemption right to Boaz. His refusal is not necessarily cruel; it reflects a cost he is unwilling to bear. Yet in contrast with Boaz, he shrinks from sacrificial duty. The law allows him to decline, but another must then assume the burden. In God’s providence, this opens the door for the man who loves Ruth to redeem not for profit but for covenant faithfulness and kindness to Naomi and Ruth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the near kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: take thou my right of redemption on thee; for I cannot redeem it.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the near kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: take thou my right of redemption on thee; for I cannot redeem it.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the near relation said, I am not able to do the relation's part, for fear of damaging the heritage I have: you may do it in my place, for I am not able to do it myself.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the redeemer saith, `I am not able to redeem <FI>it<Fi> for myself, lest I destroy mine inheritance; redeem for thyself--thou--my right of redemption, for I am not able to redeem.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He answered: I yield up my right of next akin: for I must not cut off the posterity of my own family. Do thou make use of my privilege, which I profess I do willingly forego.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he that had the right of redemption said, I cannot redeem [it] for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance. Redeem thou for thyself what I should redeem, for I cannot redeem [it].
Context
After Boaz states the full obligation, the nearer kinsman reconsiders and steps aside. This clears the legal path for Boaz. The narrative moves from uncertainty to resolution: the rightful first option has been declined, and the right of redemption passes to Boaz. Next, the text will explain the customary symbol that confirms such transactions, and then Boaz will publicly declare the completed redemption before the witnesses.
v.5Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
v.6This passage
v.7Now this wasthe customin former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ruth 3:13
Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as Jehovah liveth: lie down until the morning.
- Leviticus 25:25
If thy brother be waxed poor, and sell some of his possession, then shall his kinsman that is next unto him come, and shall redeem that which his brother hath sold.
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