SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024 – Page 2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:12

3:12a

Boaz continued to speak to Ruth. He began to explain that there was another closer relative who could be the guardian-redeemer.

Yes, it is true: The Hebrew adverb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it is true means “indeed” or “no doubt.” Boaz acknowledged that Ruth was correct.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

But now, though it is true (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Yes, it is true…but (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Even though it is true that

that I am a kinsman-redeemer: See how you translated this term in 3:9d.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

It is true that I am a close relative of yours (God’s Word)
-or-
It is true that I am a close relative and am responsible for you (Good News Translation)
-or-
Although it is true that I am a close relative and have a duty to help/protect the family
-or-
Although I am indeed a relative who has the duty to take care of you

3:12b

but there is a redeemer nearer than I: Boaz told Ruth that there was one other man who was related more closely to Elimelech than he was. That man had to decide if he wanted to act as kinsman-redeemer before Boaz could legally do that.

It appears that the nearest male relative was expected to act as the kinsman-redeemer. However, if the nearest male relative could not or would not redeem (buy back) property for his relative, then another close relative would sometimes take that responsibility.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

but there is someone who is an even closer relative (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am (New Living Translation (2004))

© 2024 by SIL International®
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:11

3:11a

And now: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And now introduces a new idea or subject. Here Boaz will make a promise to Ruth. The Berean Standard Bible is not using the English word now as a time word. Some translations leave this Hebrew word implicit. Introduce the next idea in a way that is natural in your language.

do not be afraid: This clause indicates that Boaz did not want Ruth to fear or worry. The next clause suggests that she might be afraid of what Boaz would do after her request.

my daughter: Boaz again addressed Ruth in a kind and polite way. See how you translated this phrase in 2:8a and 3:10a.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

do not fear (English Standard Version)
-or-
don’t worry (NET Bible)

3:11b

I will do for you whatever you request: This sentence gives the reason why Ruth did not need to be afraid. It showed that Boaz agreed to do what Ruth asked. By saying whatever you request, Boaz showed that he realized that he had to do more than marry Ruth. He showed that he was willing to perform all the duties of a kinsman-redeemer.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

Everything you propose, I will do for you (TLV)
-or-
I will do whatever you say. (God’s Word)
-or-
I intend to do for you everything you propose (NET Bible)

3:11c

since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character: This statement gives the reason that Boaz was willing to do all that Ruth asked. Boaz was glad to marry Ruth because everyone knew that she had excellent character.

Here are some other ways to translate this statement:

for everyone in the village knows that you are a worthy woman (NET Bible)
-or-
because all the people in our town know you are a good woman (New Century Version)

all my fellow townspeople: This phrase is a general statement. It may not be true that every single person in the town knew about Ruth. Boaz meant that many people in the town of Bethlehem knew Ruth’s excellent character and faithfulness to Naomi, and they respected her.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

everyone in town (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the whole town (Revised English Bible)

a woman of noble character: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as noble character indicates here that Ruth was a woman who had a good, moral character and perhaps also had good abilities. It suggests that everyone in town respected her. Think about how your language would describe a woman like that. You might want to use a figure of speech.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

a very good woman (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
what a fine woman you are (Revised English Bible)
-or-
a worthy woman (NET Bible)
-or-
You are respected by everyone in town. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:10

3:10a

Then Boaz said, “May the LORD bless you, my daughter: In Hebrew, this sentence indicates that Boaz wanted the LORD to bless Ruth. See how you translated the word bless. in 2:19b and 2:20a and translate it the same way here.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

Boaz replied, “May the LORD bless you, my daughter. (God’s Word)
-or-
Boaz replied: The LORD bless you! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
After Ruth said this, Boaz answered, “May the LORD show you his favor.”

my daughter: Boaz addressed Ruth in a kind and polite way as my daughter. You should use the same term as in 2:8a.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

my dear (NET Bible)
-or-
dear young lady
-or-
young woman
-or-
you who are like my own daughter

3:10b

You have shown more kindness: The Hebrew word ḥesed that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kindness combines the ideas of love and loyalty. The Berean Standard Bible, like the Hebrew, does not say to whom Ruth was kind or loyal. However, in some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. Boaz was speaking of Ruth’s kindness to Naomi and to Naomi’s family. Ruth was kind to Naomi because she was willing to marry Boaz. In that way, she made it possible for him to take care of Naomi and give her a grandchild as her kinsman-redeemer. See the notes in the “Introduction to Ruth” on ḥesed and refer to how you translated this term in 1:8c and 2:20b.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

this second act of faithful love (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
family loyalty in what you are doing now (Good News Translation)
-or-
This act of kindness (New Century Version)
-or-
devoted to the family (Revised English Bible)

now than before: This phrase means that the kindness that Ruth showed by seeking to marry Boaz was even better than her previous kindness to Naomi. Boaz mentioned those ways in 2:11.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

is greater than what you did before (NET Bible)
-or-
is better than the first (God’s Word)
-or-
is greater than the kindness you showed to Naomi in the beginning (New Century Version)
-or-
even greater…than in what you did for your mother-in-law (Good News Translation)

3:10c

because you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor: This sentence gives the reason why Ruth’s second kindness was greater than her first. She could have tried to marry a younger man, but chose to marry Boaz instead to give Naomi a grandchild.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

by not running after any young man, whether rich or poor (Revised English Bible)
-or-
because you have not pursued younger men, whether rich or poor (CSB)
-or-
You didn’t look for a young man to marry, either rich or poor. (New Century Version)
-or-
You could have looked for a younger man, either rich or poor, but you didn’t. (Contemporary English Version)

The Hebrew verb phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as run after is an idiom used commonly in the OT that means “seek to marry.” Boaz knew that Ruth was concerned about doing what was best for Naomi. She could have encouraged some younger man to marry her, but she had not done this. She had approached only someone who could act as Naomi’s kinsman-redeemer.

the younger men: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the younger men has the definite article as part of the word. It therefore refers to “the young men” of Bethlehem, meaning those who lived close by and whom Ruth could have married.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

one of the young men (NET Bible)
-or-
someone younger

whether rich or poor: The Berean Standard Bible has reversed the order of the Hebrew words meaning rich and poor because this sounds better in English. Use the order that is most natural in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:2

4:2a

Then: In Hebrew, this verse begins with the same Hebrew conjunction as in 4:1d. Here the Berean Standard Bible translates it as Then. In some languages, it may be helpful to use a conjunction that indicates the next action. For example:

Boaz took ten of the elders of the city: The elders were the leading men of the town who discussed important things and made the decisions that governed the town. They were usually older men whom the people of the town recognized as its leaders. In this situation, the elders were called together to witness a legal process. See 4:9a–b.

took: In this verse, the Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as took means that Boaz “selected” the elders. He may have asked some men to stop as he saw them about to pass through the gate, or he may have sent someone to ask certain men that he knew to come to a meeting.

In Hebrew, it says “ten of the elders,” so apparently there were more than ten elders in the town.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Then Boaz chose ten men who were leaders of that city (God’s Word)
-or-
Boaz gathered ten of the older leaders of the city (New Century Version)

4:2b

and said, “Sit here,” and they did so: Translate this in a way that shows that Boaz politely asked the elders to sit down. For example:

and asked them to sit down there too (Good News Translation)
-or-
Please sit down here

and: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and introduces what happened as a result of what Boaz had said. You could translate it as “so.”

they did so: This refers to the request Boaz made that the elders sit down with him. Here are some other ways to translate these words:

So they also sat down. (God’s Word)
-or-
When they were seated (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:8

3:8a

In Hebrew, this sentence begins with a word that means “And it happened” or “And it was.” The conversation between Ruth and Boaz that begins in the next verse (3:9–15) is the main event or climax of this part of the book of Ruth. This word introduces the dramatic event that leads up to this climax.

Here are some ways to begin this sentence:

Suddenly (Living Bible)
-or-
Just then
-or-
Now it happened…that (New King James Version)

The Berean Standard Bible and most English versions do not translate this word here. But you should consider how your language naturally leads up to the main event or climax of a story.

At midnight: This phrase refers to an approximate time around midnight. The Hebrew language and culture did not divide the night hours into exact units.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Around midnight (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
In the middle of the night (New International Version)
-or-
During the night (Good News Translation)

Boaz was startled: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Boaz was startled is literally “the man trembled.” The verb that means “tremble” usually refers to shaking from fear. The text does not say what made Boaz “tremble,” but the most likely reason was the cold air on his feet. And this is exactly what Naomi had planned.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he woke up suddenly (Good News Translation)
-or-
the man was shivering (God’s Word)
-or-
the man was startled (English Standard Version)
-or-
Boaz suddenly woke up (New Living Translation (1996))

If the options in your language for translating “trembled” force you to be specific about why Boaz trembled, it should be from the cold rather than from fear.

Boaz: As in 3:3c, you may translate this phrase literally as “the man,” use the pronoun “he,” or refer to Boaz by name.

turned over: The word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as turned over is rare in the OT, so scholars are not sure what it means. There are four ways to interpret this word:

(1) It means he turned or rolled over. For example:

and turned over (English Standard Version)
-or-
and he rolled over (New Century Version)

(2) It means he groped around (for his covers). For example:

groped about (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

reached out

(New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(3) It means he looked all around. For example:

looked about him (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible)

(4) It means he sat up or bent forward. For example:

bent forward (New American Standard Bible)

(New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions.

3:8b

and there lying at his feet was a woman!: The author of Ruth used dramatic language in this clause to help the reader to experience how surprising it was for Boaz to find a woman lying at his feet. In Hebrew, this clause begins with a phrase that means “and behold.” The Berean Standard Bible does not use words to translate this phrase, but the exclamation mark (!) at the end of the sentence helps to match this dramatic and lively Hebrew expression.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and Look! A woman lying at his feet!
-or-
and was shocked to see a woman lying at his feet (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he discovered there was a woman lying at his feet (The Voice)
-or-
he saw a woman who was lying there at his feet (Easy English Bible)

Translate this clause in a way that will help your readers to understand how very surprised Boaz must have felt by what he found.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:7

3:7a

After Boaz had finished eating and drinking: In Hebrew, this clause is literally “And Boaz ate and he drank.” This clause simply means that Boaz had a meal. The Berean Standard Bible and some other versions use a time phrase such as After. They also supply the word finished. One of the reasons Boaz was in good spirits is that he was full after he had eaten.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Boaz ate and drank (CEB)
-or-
After his evening meal (New Century Version)
-or-
Not much later, Boaz finished eating and drinking (The Voice)

and was in good spirits: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was in good spirits is literally “his heart was good.” This is an idiom that means Boaz was “feeling happy and satisfied” after his meal.

There are two options to translate this idiom:

• Translate the meaning of the idiom. For example:

and he was in a good mood (CEB)
-or-
and he was in a contented mood (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
and was feeling happy (Contemporary English Version)

• Use an idiom in your language that means “feeling happy” or “satisfied/content.”

3:7b

he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain: This clause describes the movement of Boaz from where he ate to where he would sleep. This would probably have been a short distance away.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and went to lie down at the edge of the pile of grain (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
and lay down beside the pile of barley (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
He lay down next to the heap of barley seeds (Easy English Bible)
-or-
Then he went over to the far end of the pile of grain. He lay down and ⌊went to sleep⌋ (Translation for Translators)

at the end of the heap of grain: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the end refers to the distant or opposite end of a space or area. Here it probably refers to the side of the pile of grain opposite from where Ruth could see him.

3:7c

Verse 7a–b described Boaz’s actions. Here the story describes what Ruth did. She probably waited until some time had passed. You should follow a natural way in your language to describe the change of actions from one character in a story to the actions of another.

Then: In Hebrew, this sentence begins with the common conjunction which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then which is used for introducing the next event in a series of events.

Here are some ways to begin this sentence:

After a while
-or-
A little later

Ruth went in secretly: The word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as secretly means to do something quietly or without making a sound in order to avoid being seen, heard, or known.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Then Ruth went to him very quietly (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
Then she went over to him secretly (God’s Word)
-or-
she was quiet and came ⌊to where he was⌋

Ruth: The Hebrew text does not use Ruth’s name here but refers to her by the pronoun “she.” You may follow either approach. Be sure your readers clearly understand who is referred to.

uncovered his feet, and lay down: Translate similarly to 3:4b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:6

Paragraph 3:6–9

3:6a–b

General Comment on 3:6a-b

This is a summary of Ruth’s actions from here to verse 9, but it omits some of the details. In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder these two clauses. For example:

6b So Ruth did everything her mother-in-law told her to do 6a and went down to the threshing floor.

3:6a

So: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So begins the summary of what Ruth did after she agreed to follow Naomi’s instructions.

Here are some other ways to begin this summary:

Then she went to the threshing floor
-or-

She said that and then

In some languages, it may be natural to not use a connection here.

she went down to the threshing floor: See how you translated 3:3b.

3:6b

and did everything her mother-in-law had instructed her to do: This clause means that Ruth followed Naomi’s instructions. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as instructed means “commanded.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and did everything her mother-in-law had instructed her to do (NET Bible)
-or-
and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her (English Standard Version)
-or-
and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her (New Revised Standard Version)

her mother-in-law: The Hebrew and most versions refer to Naomi here by the phrase her mother-in-law rather than by her name. This form of reference here follows the pattern of Hebrew stories. It also showed Ruth’s respect for Naomi.

In some languages, it may be clearer or more natural to use Naomi’s name. For example:

And she did everything that Naomi had asked her to do. (Easy English Bible)
-or-
…her mother-in-law Naomi…

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:5

3:5

This verse gives Ruth’s reply to Naomi. In Hebrew, verse 5 begins with a common conjunction that introduces the next event. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this conjunction here.

Here are some ways to begin this sentence:

And (English Standard Version)
-or-
Then (New Century Version)

“I will do everything you say,” Ruth answered: In many languages, it is more natural to put the quote introducer at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

Ruth answered, “I will do everything you say.” (Good News Translation)

I will do everything you say: There is a minor textual issue here. Many Hebrew manuscripts include a word that means “to me” at the end of this clause. Here are the two options:

(1) The words “to me” should not be included.

(2) The words “to me” should be included. For example:

I shall do everything you tell me. (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Notes will follow option (1), but there is little practical difference in meaning. In some languages, it may be more natural to follow a wording like the New Jerusalem Bible.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I will do everything you say. (New Century Version)
-or-
All that you say I will do (English Standard Version)
-or-
I will do what/as you say.

Ruth: The Hebrew text does not use Ruth’s name here but refers to her by the pronoun “she.” You should follow whatever approach is natural in your language.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:5

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