Ruth 4:7
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| Overview - 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. |
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Ruth 4:7 (King James Version)
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.
- a man plucked off
- This custom does not refer to the law about refusing to marry a brother's widow, but was usual in the transfer of inheritances: for this relative was not a brother, but simply a kinsman; and the shoe was not pulled off by Ruth, but by the kinsman himself. The Targumist, instead of his shoe, renders "his right hand glove," it probably being the custom, in his
- time, to give that instead of a shoe. Jarchi says, "When we purchase any thing new, it is customary to give, instead of a shoe, a handkerchief or veil." Deuteronomy 25:7-10