Ruth 4:3-4

4:3 Then Boaz said to the guardian, ¹  “Naomi, who has returned from the region of Moab, is selling ²  the portion of land that belongs to our relative Elimelech. 4:4 So I am legally informing you: ³  Acquire it before those sitting here and before the leaders of my people! ⁴  If you want to exercise your right to redeem it, then do so. ⁵  But if not, then tell me ⁶  so I will know. ⁷  For you possess the first option to redeem it; I am next in line after you.” ⁸  He replied, “I will redeem it.”

¹ tn Or “redeemer.” See the note on the phrase “guardian of the family interests” in 3:9.

² tn The perfect form of the verb here describes as a simple fact an action that is underway (cf. NIV, NRSV, CEV, NLT); NAB “is putting up for sale.”

³ tn Heb “and I said [or perhaps, “thought to myself”], ‘I will [or “must”] uncover your ear, saying’”; NAB “So I thought I would inform you”; NIV “I thought I should bring the matter to your attention.”

⁴ tn The phrase “before those sitting here and before the leaders of my people” appears to refer to the leaders who were specially chosen as witnesses (v. 2) and the larger group of community leaders standing by. It is possible, however, that the phrases “before those sitting here” and “before the leaders of my people” are appositional and that both refer to the ten leaders mentioned in v. 2 (cf. NLT “in the presence of these witnesses”).

⁵ tn Heb “if you will redeem, redeem” (KJV, NASB, NRSV all similar); NCV “If you want to buy back the land, then buy it.”

⁶ tn Heb “but if he will not redeem, tell me.” Most English versions emend the third person verb form (“he”) to the second person form because Boaz is addressing the closer relative. But it is possible that he briefly addresses the witnesses and refers to the closer relative in the third person. See J. M. Sasson, Ruth, 118.

⁷ tn Following the imperative, the prefixed verb form with vav indicates purpose or result.

⁸ tn Heb “for there is no one besides you to redeem, and I am after you” (NASB similar).