SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024 – Page 5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:13

Section 4:13–17

Boaz and Ruth married and had a son

This section tells us about Boaz marrying Ruth and the birth of their son Obed. After Obed was born, the women of the town spoke encouraging words to Naomi.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Ruth gave birth to Naomi’s grandson
-or-
Boaz married Ruth and they had a son

Paragraph 4:13–17

4:13a

So: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So continues the story after the quotation in the previous paragraph. It also indicates the result of the decision that the elders and witnesses had made at the town gate.

Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife: The Hebrew clauses that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife mean that Boaz married Ruth. The Berean Standard Bible, following the Hebrew, uses two phrases to say this. In some languages, it may be better to combine these ideas into one clause and say that he married her.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

Boaz and Ruth married one another
-or-
Boaz married Ruth (Contemporary English Version)

– or –

Then Boaz took Ruth home, and she became his wife. (God’s Word)

took: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as took means that Boaz took Ruth to his house. This was the custom of the Israelite people. In cultures where such a custom is unknown, the phrase may sound as if Boaz took Ruth without her consent. Because of this, it may be best to use a general word for “married.” See the other ways of translating this word listed above.

4:13b

And when he had relations with her: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when he had relations with her means that Boaz and Ruth had sexual relations. The Hebrew is more literally “And he went in to her.” The Berean Standard Bible translation is a euphemism. It is a way of politely saying that Boaz and Ruth had sexual relations. In some cultures, it may be acceptable to translate this without a euphemism. The phrase you choose should be one that it is acceptable to read or say in a church meeting or at any other public occasion.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

when he slept with her (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
then they lay down together
-or-
and had sexual relations with her (NET Bible)

Some versions (Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation) leave this clause implied, because the meaning is clear from the following context. For example:

and the Lord blessed her with a son (Contemporary English Version)

the LORD enabled her to conceive: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the LORD enabled her to conceive means that the LORD made it possible for Ruth to become pregnant. You need to be careful how you translate this. If you say, “The LORD caused her to become pregnant,” it could give a wrong meaning. The author meant that the LORD worked to allow Ruth to conceive.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

The LORD blessed her and she became pregnant
-or-
The Lord let her become pregnant (New Century Version)
-or-
The LORD helped her and she became pregnant

and she gave birth to a son: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as she gave birth to a son means that Ruth gave birth to a male child.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and she gave birth to a male child
-or-
and she bore a son (New Revised Standard Version)

© 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.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:21

2:21a

Then Ruth the Moabitess said: In many languages, it may be more natural to simply say Ruth rather than repeating the phrase Ruth the Moabitess. However, it is recommended that you repeat the information that Ruth was a woman from Moab. It is probable that the author wished to emphasize this at this point in the narrative.

He also told me: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as also :

(1) It adds force or emphasis, so it intensifies what follows. For example:

and what is more he said to me (Revised English Bible)

(2) It means “also,” so it introduces something additional that Boaz had said. For example:

He also said to me (God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

2:21b

Stay with my young men: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Stay with means “keep close to.” In this context, Boaz was telling Ruth to remain near his own workers while they were in the field.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

You may go along beside my servants (NET Bible)
-or-
Keep close to my workers (New Century Version)

my young men: This is a masculine plural noun. In this context, it probably refers to both the men and the women who were working in Boaz’s fields. Ruth was reporting what Boaz had said in 2:8c, where Boaz told Ruth to remain close to “my servant girls.”

until they have finished gathering all my harvest: Boaz was referring to both the barley and the wheat harvests, as mentioned in 2:23b.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

until they have finished my whole harvest (New Century Version)
-or-
until the entire harvest is completed (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 2:21a-b

2:21b is an embedded quotation. It gives Ruth’s report of what Boaz had said. In some languages, it is not possible to have a direct quotation of a quotation. It may be necessary or more natural to report Boaz’s words using indirect speech. For example:

Then Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also told me to stay close to his workers until they finish harvesting all the grain.”
-or-
Ruth told her, “Boaz even said I could stay in the field with his workers until they had finished harvesting all his grain.” (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:11

Paragraph 4:11–12

This paragraph describes the blessing that was pronounced on Boaz, including wealth and a good reputation. It also describes the blessing that was given to Ruth that she would bear many children.

4:11a

“We are witnesses,”: The repetition of “We /You are witnesses in 4:9b, 4:10d, and 4:11a highlights the role of the witnesses.

4:11b

said the elders and all the people at the gate: These people were the leading men of the town and the other people there at the town meeting place. See how you translated these two terms in 4:9a.

4:11c

May the LORD make the woman entering your home: This is a short prayer or blessing.

the woman: This refers to Ruth. You may refer to her by name if calling her the woman would be impolite or derogatory in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

May the Lord make your wife (Good News Translation)
-or-
May the LORD cause your wife Ruth

entering your home: Here the people are speaking to Boaz. The pronoun translated “you” and your in 4:11c, 4:12a, and 4:12b are masculine singular in the Hebrew text.

Ruth was entering Boaz’s home, or into his “family” or “household,” as his wife. In some languages, it may be helpful to include this implied information. For example:

whom you are bringing into your home ⌊as your wife⌋

like Rachel and Leah: These were the two wives of Jacob, a grandson of Abraham. If your readers do not know these names, you may want to give this information in a footnote. For example:

The people prayed that the LORD would bless Ruth by giving her children, who would themselves have many descendants. This is what the LORD had done for Rachel and Leah in Genesis chapters 29–30.

4:11d

who together built up the house of Israel: The many sons of Rachel and Leah were the founders of the nation of Israel. Rachel and Leah and their two servant girls gave birth to twelve sons. The twelve sons each became the head of a tribe within the descendants of Israel.

Although Zilpah and Bilhah, the women servants of Rachel and Leah, gave birth to four of the sons, all the sons were officially considered to be the children of Rachel and Leah.

built up: This means that they made Israel strong and numerous by having many descendants.

the house of Israel: Jacob was also known as Israel. There are two ways to interpret it here:

(1) It refers to the nation or people of Israel who had descended from Jacob. For example:

from whom all the nation of Israel descended (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
both of whom built our family of Israel (God’s Word)

(2) It refers to the children and descendants of Jacob himself. For example:

like Rachel and Leah, who bore many children to Jacob (Good News Translation)

(Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation)

The versions that translate the Hebrew literally as “the house/family of Israel” are ambiguous.

Only one commentary clearly supports interpretation (2). You may follow any of the interpretations in your language.

house: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as house here refers a person’s descendants.

4:11e

May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem: Before the Notes discuss the interpretation of the blessings given here, it will be helpful to notice that this verse part has two parallel lines:

May you be prosperous in Ephrathah

and be famous in Bethlehem

in Ephrathah…in Bethlehem: Ephrathah is probably the name of a clan that lived in Bethlehem. This clan name was an old name for Bethlehem. Here it is a synonym for Bethlehem. In your translation, you may need to indicate that Bethlehem and Ephrathah are the same place.

There are four ways to interpret the Hebrew idiom that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “May you be prosperous”:

(1) It refers to an increase in money and possessions. For example:

May you become rich… (Good News Translation)

(2) It refers to an increase in reputation and status. For example:

May you become powerful… (New Century Version)

(3) It refers to good character. For example:

So show your strength of character… (God’s Word)

(English Standard Version, God’s Word, King James Version, Revised English Bible)

It refers to an increase in children. For example:

May you produce children (New Revised Standard Version)

(New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The people prayed that as a result of his marriage, Boaz would prosper and grow rich. However, interpretation (2) is supported by the parallelism. Interpretation (3) is supported by the Hebrew usage elsewhere.

and famous in Bethlehem: The Hebrew idiom that the Berean Standard Bible translates as famous is literally “call a name.” The people wanted Boaz to get a well-known name, or gain a good reputation, as a result of the many children and descendants they hoped he would have.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:10

4:10a

Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as acquired is the same word that is translated “buy” or “bought” in other parts of this chapter. It can also mean “have gotten” or “have obtained.”

Boaz was taking Ruth, Mahlon’s widow, as his wife. This was an important part of the responsibility of the “redeemer.” This is not the same as giving a payment to the parents of the bride, called a “bride-price,” which is practiced in many cultures. See how you translated “acquire” in 4:5b.

4:10b

In 4:10b and 4:10c, Boaz stated his reasons for marrying Ruth. Here he gave a positive reason. He said that if a son would be born to him and Ruth, that son would be the heir to the property of Mahlon and would carry on Mahlon’s family name.

to raise up: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to raise up here means “establish” or “cause to continue.” If an heir would be born, the property would continue to be known as the property of the family line of Elimelech and Mahlon.

the name of the deceased: This probably refers primarily to Mahlon. But Boaz was also talking about Elimelech who originally owned the property (see the Good News Translation and New Century Version quoted in 4:9b). He did not distinguish between the name and property of the father Elimelek and the son Mahlon. But if you must be specific, it is recommended that you refer to Mahlon, as in 4:5c.

through his inheritance: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as inheritance refers to the plot of land that Elimelech owned and that his sons would have inherited after he died.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

This way she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I am doing this so her dead husband’s property will stay in his name and his name will not be separated from his family and his hometown. (New Century Version)

4:10c

Having given a positive reason in 4:10b for him to marry Ruth, Boaz here gave a negative reason. He said that if a son would be born to him and Ruth, people would not forget that Elimelech’s and Mahlon’s family/lineage continued to exist.

so that his name will not disappear: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disappear is literally “be cut off.” If there was no heir and a different family bought Elimelech’s family land, then the name of Mahlon, and that of Elimelech and Chilion as well, would no longer be associated with this land. Their names would eventually be forgotten.

from among his brothers or from the gate of his home: Their names would be forgotten among his brothers in the family line and from the gate of his home in the town history. First, if there was no heir, there would be no descendants or relatives to talk about them. Secondly, if the property was not bought back and was used by some other family and their descendants, the names of Mahlon and Elimelech eventually would not be mentioned in relation to the property, even from the gate of his home.

his brothers: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as his brothers means Mahlon’s relatives and descendants.

or from the gate of his home: This phrase is an idiom that refers to a family’s history in relation to their property, which is equivalent to town records. Here is another possible translation:

or from the town records

4:10d

You are witnesses today: This phrase was used to complete legal or commercial business. See the notes on 4:9b.

witnesses: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as witnesses is emphasized by being placed first in the phrase in the Hebrew text.

General Comment on 4:10a–d

Since 4:10 is very long, it may be better to break it into several shorter sentences. See the Display for examples.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:9

Paragraph 4:9–10

This paragraph describes how Boaz formalized the agreement to acquire the land and also Ruth in front of the elders and the other witnesses.

The author probably discussed the land agreement first, because Boaz would not be able to marry Ruth unless he first acquired the land.

4:9a

At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as At this introduces what Boaz said after the other relative said he would not redeem the land.

to the elders and all the people: Boaz had selected ten elders to be official witnesses. A large crowd may have come together before the discussion was finished, and Boaz spoke to them all.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Then Boaz said to the leaders and all the others there (Good News Translation)
-or-
Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around (New Living Translation (2004))

4:9b

You are witnesses today: This phrase and the response of the people in 4:11b were Hebrew phrases that were used when people officially completed business agreements that they had conducted in the presence of witnesses.

witnesses: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as witnesses refers to people who have seen or heard some event and can tell others what has happened.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

“You are all witnesses today (Good News Translation)
-or-
“You are witnesses that today (New Living Translation (2004))

If your language does not have a word for witnesses, here is another way to translate it:

“You are the ones who can tell others what you saw.

all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon: The Hebrew text is literally says, “all that ⌊is⌋ to Elimelech, and all that ⌊is⌋ to Kilion and Mahlon.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

that I have bought from Naomi everything that belonged to Elimelech and to his sons Chilion and Mahlon (Good News Translation)
-or-
I am buying from Naomi everything that belonged to Elimelech and Kilion and Mahlon. (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:8

4:8

After the author explained the custom in 4:7, he continued the main story in 4:8.

4:8a

So: This word introduces the result of the custom. You can also translate it as “Then.”

the kinsman-redeemer removed his sandal: There is a textual difference here:

(1) The Hebrew text ends with the word sandal : For example:

he took off his sandal (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) The Greek translation (LXX/Septuagint) has the additional words “and gave it to Boaz.” For example:

he took off one of his sandals and handed it to Boaz (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he drew off his sandal and handed it over (Revised English Bible)

The Notes will follow interpretation (1). The words “and handed it to Boaz” were not in the original text of Ruth but were added later. However, 4:7c specifies that one man handed the sandal to the other. So if it is clearer in your language to complete the action, you may follow one of the versions listed under interpretation (2).

4:8b

Here are some other ways to introduce this verse:

So when the man said to Boaz (Good News Translation)
-or-
Then the man said…

and said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.”: The command Buy it for yourself has almost the same meaning as “Take my right of redemption” in 4:6c. But here the more general word Buy is used.

The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Buy is a command. However, the other redeemer was giving Boaz permission to buy it rather than saying that he must buy it. So in many languages, it may be better to use a more polite expression. For example:

You may buy it yourself.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:7

Paragraph 4:7–8

This paragraph describes the sandal ceremony that finalized the redemption of property.

4:7

This verse is background material. Use whatever way is appropriate in your language to indicate that this is background material and not part of the main story.

Apparently, at the time that the author wrote this story, the people of Israel were no longer practicing the same customs for legal matters, so he needed to explain it.

4:7a

Now: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now introduces background information about an old custom. It is not a time word here.

in former times in Israel: This phrase refers to a period of time in the past, long before the author wrote this book.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

in former times, it was the custom in Israel (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Long ago in Israel (New Century Version)
-or-
(This is the way it used to be in Israel (God’s Word)

4:7b

concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding: The custom mentioned in 4:7c was followed:

(a) when there was a redemption of property or possessions, and

(b) when there was some exchange of property or other possessions.

redemption: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as redemption is the noun that refers to the responsibility of purchasing the land of a poor relative.

exchange: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as exchange refers to a transfer or exchange.

of property: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as of property is literally “of all things.” It refers to any object or possession, not just to land.

to make any matter legally binding: The Hebrew phrase to make any matter legally binding means “to confirm,” “to establish,” or “to show that they had agreed.”

Here are other ways to translate this verse part:

to confirm a transaction in matters of redemption or inheritance (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
when people traded or bought back something (New Century Version)
-or-
to settle a sale or an exchange of property (Good News Translation)

4:7c

a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party: The Hebrew words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a man…the other party refers to the two people involved in the matter. Probably only men took part in such legal transactions, so it is acceptable to use masculine words in your translation here.

one party took off his sandal and give it to the other (New International Version)
-or-
for the seller to take off his sandal and give it to the buyer (Good News Translation)

remove his sandal: The sandal referred to here was most likely the common footwear of that time. It probably had a hard leather sole, with straps or strips of leather crossing over the top of the foot. If you do not have a word meaning sandal in your language, there are at least two options for translating this term:

• Use a general word that refers to footwear.

• Use a specific word in your language that refers to something similar to a sandal. For example:

thong/flip-flop

4:7d

and this was a confirmation in Israel: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a confirmation occurs in only three places. It probably refers to the way that people in Israel confirmed their agreements at that time. For example:

This was the way a contract was publicly approved in Israel. (God’s Word)
-or-
In this way the Israelites showed that the matter was settled. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:6

4:6a

The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself: This verse introduces the response of the other kinsman-redeemer. The man answered without hesitating.

Here are some other ways to translate his response:

“Then I cannot act,” said the next-of-kin (Revised English Bible)
-or-
The man with the right of redemption then said, “I cannot use my right of redemption (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
The man answered, “In that case I will give up my right to buy the field (Good News Translation)

4:6b

or I would jeopardize my own inheritance: The man’s desire was that his own inheritance would belong to his own son or children after he died. If he bought the land from Naomi and married Ruth, he would have to pay for that land. Also, when a son was born to Ruth, that son would be considered a descendant of Elimelech and Mahlon, and would inherit that land.

jeopardize: He would jeopardize his own inheritance, because his own sons would have to share it with Ruth’s son. They would thus have a smaller share.

inheritance: This refers to the land, buildings, and possessions the man hoped to leave to his own sons when he died.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

without damaging my own inheritance (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
If I did, I might harm what I can pass on to my own sons. (New Century Version)

4:6c

Take my right of redemption: The man gave the right of redemption to Boaz. In many languages, it would not be polite for a man to give a command in this situation.

Here are some other ways to translate the command:

You may take over my responsibility/right to redeem it.
-or-
You are free/welcome to buy it back yourself.

because I cannot redeem it: The man felt that he was not able to redeem Elimelech’s property without risking some loss to his own wealth, as explained above. He repeated this at the end of his speech to Boaz for emphasis.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:6

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