Ruth 4:7
BSB · Public Domain (CC0)“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.”
A short, plain-language explanation of Ruth 4:7 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.
“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.”
Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)“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.”
King James Version · Public Domain“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.”
American Standard Version · Public Domain“And this <FI>is<Fi> formerly in Israel for redemption and for changing, to establish anything: a man hath drawn off his sandal, and given <FI>it<Fi> to his neighbour, and this <FI>is<Fi> the testimony in Israel.”
Young's Literal Translation · Public DomainOther passages that echo Ruth 4:7 — 2 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 25:7But 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.”
- Deuteronomy 25:9his 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.”
Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).