Ruth 4:7 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.

◄ Ruth 4:7 ►

New International Version
(Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.)

New Living Translation
Now in those days it was the custom in Israel for anyone transferring a right of purchase to remove his sandal and hand it to the other party. This publicly validated the transaction.

English Standard Version
Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel.

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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel.

New American Standard Bible
Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the way of confirmation in Israel.

NASB 1995
Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

NASB 1977
Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the right of redemption and the exchange of land to establish any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

Amplified Bible
Now formerly in Israel this was the custom concerning redeeming and exchanging property. To confirm a transaction, a man pulled off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the way of confirming and attesting in Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
At an earlier period in Israel, a man removed his sandal and gave it to the other party in order to make any matter legally binding concerning the right of redemption or the exchange of property. This was the method of legally binding a transaction in Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At an earlier period in Israel, a man removed his sandal and gave it to the other party in order to make any matter legally binding concerning the right of redemption or the exchange of property. This was the method of legally binding a transaction in Israel.

American Standard Version
Now this was the custom in 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.

Contemporary English Version
To make a sale legal in those days, one person would take off a sandal and give it to the other.

English Revised Version
Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, for to confirm all things; a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(This is the way it used to be in Israel concerning buying back property and exchanging goods: In order to make every matter legal, a man would take off his sandal and give it to the other man. This was the way a contract was publicly approved in Israel.)

Good News Translation
Now in those days, to settle a sale or an exchange of property, it was the custom for the seller to take off his sandal and give it to the buyer. In this way the Israelites showed that the matter was settled.

International Standard Version
During Israel's earlier history, all things concerning redeeming or changing inheritances were confirmed by a man taking off his sandal and giving it to the other party, thereby creating a public record in Israel.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
(Now this used to be the customary way to finalize a transaction involving redemption in Israel: A man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party. This was a legally binding act in Israel.)

New Heart English Bible
Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man took off his sandal, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the way of attestation in Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for confirming all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor: and this was a testimony in Israel.

World English Bible
Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man took off his sandal, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the way of formalizing transactions in Israel.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And this [is] formerly in Israel for redemption and for exchanging, to establish anything: a man has drawn off his sandal, and given [it] to his neighbor, and this [is] the Testimony in Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
And this is formerly in Israel for redemption and for changing, to establish anything: a man hath drawn off his sandal, and given it to his neighbour, and this is the testimony in Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And this before in Israel upon redemption and upon exchange, to set up all the word; a man drew off his shoe and gave to his neighbor: and this the precept in Israel.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now this in former times was the manner in Israel between kinsmen, that if at any time one yielded his right to another: that the grant might be sure, the man put off his shoe, and gave it to his neighhour; this was a testimony of cession of right in Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet it was the custom between kinsmen in this former time in Israel, that if at anytime one yielded his right to another, so as to confirm his permission, the man took off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor. This was a testimony of concession in Israel.

New American Bible
Now it used to be the custom in Israel that, to make binding a contract of redemption or exchange, one party would take off a sandal and give it to the other. This was the form of attestation in Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one took off a sandal and gave it to the other; this was the manner of attesting in Israel.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and the exchanging of rights to redeem which confirmed transactions: a man pulled off his shoe and gave it to another; and this was the testimonial ceremony in Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And behold, to establish this redemption before the children of Israel and the exchange of redemption, a man looses his shoe and he gives it to his companion, and this is a testimony in Israel

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour; and this was the attestation in Israel.--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And this was in former time the ordinance in Israel for redemption, and for a bargain, to confirm every word: A man loosed his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour that redeemed his right; and this was a testimony in Israel.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Boaz Redeems Ruth
…6The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.” 7Now 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. 8So the kinsman-redeemer removed his sandal and said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 25:7-10
But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” / Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak with him. If he persists and says, “I do not want to marry her,” / his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal, spit in his face, and declare, “This is what is done to the man who will not maintain his brother’s line.” ...

Genesis 38:8-10
Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.” / But Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever he would sleep with his brother’s wife, he would spill his seed on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother. / What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well.

Leviticus 25:25
If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.

Jeremiah 32:10-12
I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. / Then I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions, as well as the open copy— / and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.

Genesis 23:16-18
Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants. / So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over / to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.

1 Samuel 18:4
And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

2 Samuel 12:1-6
Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. / The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. ...

1 Kings 21:7-13
But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign over Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful, for I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” / Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. ...

Isaiah 50:1
This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

Amos 2:6
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.

Matthew 5:31-32
It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ / But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew 19:7-8
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” / Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning.

Mark 10:4-5
They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.” / But Jesus told them, “Moses wrote this commandment for you because of your hardness of heart.

Luke 16:18
Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

John 4:18
In fact, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. You have spoken truthfully.”

Treasury of Scripture

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 neighbor: and this was a testimony in Israel.

a man plucked off.

Deuteronomy 25:7-10
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…

Jump to Previous

Attesting Changing Confirm Confirming Custom Drew Earlier Exchange Exchanging Israel Manner Matter Neighbor Neighbour Party Plucked Property Redeeming Redemption Removed Sandal Shoe Testimony Time Times Transfer

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Ruth 4

1. Boaz calls into judgment the next kinsman
6. He refuses the redemption according to the manner in Israel
9. Boaz buys the inheritance
11. He marries Ruth
13. She bears Obed, the grandfather of David
18. The generations of Pharez unto David

Berean Study Bible

Now in former times in Israel
This phrase sets the historical context for the narrative, indicating a practice that was customary in ancient Israel. The Hebrew word for "former times" (פָּנִים, panim) often refers to something that is before or in the past. This suggests a tradition that was well-established and recognized by the community. The phrase reminds us of the importance of understanding cultural and historical practices to fully grasp the biblical narrative. It also highlights the continuity of God's people and their customs, which were rooted in the covenantal relationship with God.

for the redemption and transfer of property
The concept of "redemption" (גְּאֻלָּה, ge'ullah) is central to the book of Ruth and the broader biblical narrative. It involves the act of reclaiming or buying back something that was lost or sold. In the context of Ruth, it refers to the kinsman-redeemer's role in preserving the family lineage and property. The "transfer of property" underscores the legal and economic aspects of this redemption process. This phrase reflects the biblical principle of stewardship and the importance of maintaining family inheritance as ordained by God.

to become final
The finality of the transaction is emphasized here, indicating that the act being described was not merely symbolic but legally binding. The Hebrew root (קוּם, qum) conveys the idea of standing or establishing something firmly. This underscores the seriousness and irrevocability of the agreement being made. In a spiritual sense, it reminds us of the permanence of God's promises and the certainty of His covenant with His people.

one party would remove his sandal
The removal of a sandal was a symbolic act in ancient Israelite culture, signifying the transfer of rights or responsibilities. The Hebrew word for "sandal" (נַעַל, na'al) is used here, and this act is rooted in the tradition of walking on land as a sign of ownership. By removing the sandal, the individual was relinquishing their claim or right to the property. This practice is a vivid reminder of the humility and submission required in the process of redemption, pointing to the ultimate redemption through Christ, who humbled Himself for our sake.

and give it to the other
The giving of the sandal to another party was a public declaration of the transaction, witnessed by the community. This act of giving (נָתַן, natan) is a recurring theme in Scripture, often associated with God's generosity and the call for His people to be generous. It signifies the transfer of authority and responsibility, and in the context of Ruth, it highlights Boaz's willingness to fulfill his role as the kinsman-redeemer. This gesture reflects the selflessness and commitment required in fulfilling God's purposes.

This was their method of legalizing transactions in Israel
The phrase underscores the legal and communal nature of the transaction. The Hebrew word for "legalizing" (קָיָם, qayam) implies establishing or confirming something. This method ensured transparency and accountability within the community, reflecting the biblical emphasis on justice and righteousness. It serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and faithfulness in our dealings with others, as well as the communal aspect of our faith journey. The legal framework provided by God for His people was not only practical but also deeply spiritual, pointing to the ultimate justice and redemption found in Christ.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) In former time.--Arguments have been built on this word in favour of our assigning a late date to the book, but the inference seems hardly warranted. The same Hebrew word occurs in Deuteronomy 2:10, Judges 1:10, &c.

Plucked off his shoe.--The idea of this act apparently is that the man resigns the right of walking on the land as master, in favour of him to whom he gives the shoe. A similar but not identical custom is prescribed in Deuteronomy 25:9.

A testimony.--The testimony, the manner in which the solemn witness is born.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - And this was formerly a custom in Israel, on occasion of surrendering rights of kinship, or of selling and buying land, in order to confirm any matter; a man drew off his shoe and gave it to the other contracting party. This was attestation in Israel. We give a free translation. The custom was significant enough. He who sold land, or surrendered his right to act as a kinsman in buying land, intimated by the symbolical act of taking off his shoe, and handing it to his friend, that he freely gave up his right to walk upon the soil, in favor of the person who had acquired the possession. Corresponding symbolical acts, in connection with the transfer of lands, have been common, and probably still are, in many countries. No doubt the shoe, after being received, would be immediately returned.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

(Now
וְזֹאת֩ (wə·zōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

in former times
לְפָנִ֨ים (lə·p̄ā·nîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

in Israel,
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (bə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

concerning
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the redemption
הַגְּאוּלָּ֤ה (hag·gə·’ūl·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1353: Redemption, relationship

or exchange of property,
הַתְּמוּרָה֙ (hat·tə·mū·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8545: Barter, compensation

to make any
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

matter
דָּבָ֔ר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

legally binding
לְקַיֵּ֣ם (lə·qay·yêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

a man
אִ֛ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

would remove
שָׁלַ֥ף (šā·lap̄)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8025: To pull out, up, off

his sandal
נַעֲל֖וֹ (na·‘ă·lōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5275: A sandal tongue, a sandal, slipper

and give it
וְנָתַ֣ן (wə·nā·ṯan)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to the other party,
לְרֵעֵ֑הוּ (lə·rê·‘ê·hū)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

and this [was]
וְזֹ֥את (wə·zōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

a confirmation
הַתְּעוּדָ֖ה (hat·tə·‘ū·ḏāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8584: Attestation, a precept, usage

in Israel.)
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (bə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

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OT History: Ruth 4:7 Now this was the custom in former (Ru Rut.)