King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Now this [was the manner] in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave [it] to his neighbour: and this [was] a testimony in Israel.
Complete Jewish Bible:
In the past, this is what was done in Isra'el to validate all transactions involving redemption and exchange: a man took off his shoe and gave it to the other party; this was the form of attestation in Isra'el.
Berean Standard Bible:
Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel.
American Standard Version:
Now 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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Now this was the manner in former time{H6440} in Israel{H3478} concerning redeeming{H1353} and concerning changing{H8545}, for to confirm{H6965} all things{H1697}; a man{H376} plucked off{H8025} his shoe{H5275}, and gave{H5414} it to his neighbour{H7453}: and this was a testimony{H8584} in Israel{H3478}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 25:7
- And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.
Deuteronomy 25:10
- And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ruth 4:7
Ruth 4:7 is a verse that captures a significant legal and social custom in ancient Israel, reflecting the practices of property redemption and levirate marriage. The verse is part of the culmination of the Book of Ruth, which tells the story of Ruth, a Moabite widow, and her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi. After the death of Naomi's husband and two sons, Ruth accompanies Naomi back to her homeland of Bethlehem. There, Ruth meets Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi's deceased husband, and the story unfolds to a point where Boaz is presented with the opportunity to act as a "redeemer" – someone who can buy back property that has been sold and marry Ruth to carry on the family line of her late husband.
The custom described in Ruth 4:7 is a symbolic act where a man would remove his sandal and hand it to another party to legally seal an agreement. This act served as a testimony or witness in Israel, signifying the transfer of rights or obligations. In the context of the verse, if a man declined to fulfill his role as a redeemer, he would perform this shoe-removal ceremony to publicly acknowledge the transaction and relinquish his rights to another, in this case, to Boaz. This practice is an example of the ancient legal procedures that were part of the Israelite society's way of maintaining social order and ensuring the well-being of widows, as well as the continuity of family lines and inheritance.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the time of the Judges, a period characterized by a loose confederation of Israelite tribes and a lack of centralized authority. During this time, local customs and laws, such as those pertaining to redemption and levirate marriage, were crucial for the stability and cohesion of communities. The Book of Ruth, therefore, not only provides a touching narrative of loyalty and redemption but also offers a glimpse into the social fabric and legal practices of Israelite society before the establishment of the monarchy. Ruth 4:7 encapsulates the essence of these practices, highlighting the importance of community, law, and tradition in the life of ancient Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H1353
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גְּאֻלָּה
Transliteration: gᵉʼullâh
Pronunciation: gheh-ool-law'
Description: xlit gᵉullâh corrected to gᵉʼullâh; feminine passive participle of גָּאַל; redemption (including the right and the object); by implication, relationship; kindred, redeem, redemption, right. - Strong's Number: H8545
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תְּמוּרָה
Transliteration: tᵉmûwrâh
Pronunciation: tem-oo-raw'
Description: from מוּר; barter, compensation; (ex-) change(-ing), recompense, restitution. - Strong's Number: H6965
There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּם
Transliteration: qûwm
Pronunciation: koom
Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H8025
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַף
Transliteration: shâlaph
Pronunciation: saw-laf'
Description: a primitive root; to pull out, up or off; draw (off), grow up, pluck off. - Strong's Number: H5275
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נַעַל
Transliteration: naʻal
Pronunciation: nah'-al
Description: or (feminine) נַעֲלָה; from נָעַל; properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless); dryshod, (pair of) shoe((-latchet), -s). - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H7453
There are 173 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֵעַ
Transliteration: rêaʻ
Pronunciation: ray'-ah
Description: or רֵיעַ; from רָעָה; an associate (more or less close); brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. - Strong's Number: H8584
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תְּעוּדָה
Transliteration: tᵉʻûwdâh
Pronunciation: teh-oo-daw'
Description: from עוּד; attestation, i.e. a precept, usage; testimony.