1
Καὶ Βοὸζ ἀνέβη ἐπὶ τὴν πύλην καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀγχιστεύων παρεπορεύετο, ὃν εἶπεν Βοόζ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἐκκλίνας κάθισον ὧδε, ὁ δεῖνα. καὶ ἐξέκλινεν καὶ ἐκάθισεν.
And Boaz went up to the gate and sat there; and behold, the kinsman-redeemer of whom Boaz had spoken was passing by. And he said to him, 'Turn aside, sit here, So-and-so.' And he turned aside and sat.
The paratactic καί opens the final scene at the town gate — the legal forum of ancient Israel. Boaz's initiative is immediate; the unnamed redeemer is introduced with the rare placeholder ὁ δεῖνα ('So-and-so'), preserving his anonymity.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative parataxis)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΒοὸζBoazNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Βοόζ: LXX form of Hebrew בֹּעַז; indeclinable in some LXX MSS but treated as nom. here by position.
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ constative aorist (single completed action)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; gates sat elevated at the city entrance.
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐπὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
πύληνgateAccusativeobject of ἐπί (goal)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πύλη: 'gate'; the city gate was the legal assembly place in ancient Israel (Deut 22:15; Amos 5:15).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐκάθισενsatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίζωmain verb→ constative aoristκαθίζω: 'sit down'; taking a judicial seat signals formal intent.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐκεῖ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker / interjection→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἰδού: fixed particle (< imperative of ὁράω) marking a new, surprising element in the narrative — a Hebraism of הִנֵּה.
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantivizing participle)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχιστεύωνkinsman-redeemerPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἀγχιστεύωsubstantival participle (subject)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγχιστεύω: 'act as next-of-kin / kinsman-redeemer'; translates Hebrew גאל (gā'al); the participial form = 'the one who redeems'; the key technical-legal term of the chapter.
παρεπορεύετοwas passing byImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραπορεύομαιmain verb (action simultaneous with Boaz's sitting)→ progressive imperfect (action in progress)παραπορεύομαι: 'pass by alongside'; the imperfect captures the redeemer mid-step.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (antecedent: ὁ ἀγχιστεύων)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὃν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
εἶπενhad spoken ofAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (prior reference)λέγω: 'say'; back-reference to Boaz's mention of the nearer redeemer in 3:12.
ΒοόζBoazNominativesubject of relative clause→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Βοόζ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
Ἐκκλίναςturning asideAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἐκκλίνωattendant-circumstance participle (imperatival force)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐκκλίνω: 'turn aside, step out of the path'; here an invitation to come over and sit.
κάθισονsitAor Act Impv 2 Sg · καθίζωmain verb (direct command)→ ingressive aorist imperative (begin to sit)καθίζω: 'sit / settle / stay'; renders יָשַׁב; here 'stay put / remain' in the place of concealment.
ὧδεhereadverb of place→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὧδε: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὁONominativearticle (with address — colloquial vocative use)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
δεῖναSo-and-soNominativeaddress (placeholder name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ δεῖνα: 'such-a-one, So-and-so'; a rare Greek pronoun preserving the anonymity of the redeemer — unique in the LXX to this verse.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐξέκλινενturned asideAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκκλίνωmain verb→ constative aoristἐκκλίνω: 'turn aside / withdraw'; the same verb commanded in ἔκκλινον is now narrated as fulfilled — the Kenite promptly obeys, a quiet foil to Saul's failure to obey YHWH's clear command.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐκάθισενsatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίζωmain verb→ constative aoristκαθίζω (aor. ἐκάθισεν): 'sit / settle / stay'; Hannah complies, remaining at home through the nursing period.
2
καὶ ἔλαβεν Βοὸζ δέκα ἄνδρας ἀπὸ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων τῆς πόλεως καὶ εἶπεν· Καθίσατε ὧδε. καὶ ἐκάθισαν.
And Boaz took ten men from the elders of the city and said, 'Sit here.' And they sat.
Boaz assembles a quorum of ten elders — the minimum for a legal transaction in ancient Israelite practice — as official witnesses. The brevity of their compliance underscores Boaz's authority.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; used of summoning/gathering here.
ΒοὸζBoazNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Βοὸζ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
δέκαtennumeral (indeclinable) modifying ἄνδρας→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.δέκα: 'ten'; the rabbinic minyan is usually traced partly to this verse.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀνήρ: 'man'; here specifically adult male citizens eligible for legal testimony.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (partitive source)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀπὸ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
πρεσβυτέρωνeldersGenitivepartitive genitive (source group)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the recognized civic-legal authority in Israelite gate proceedings (Deut 25:7–9; Ruth 4:9).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῆς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of belonging→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πόλις: 'city'; i.e. Bethlehem.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΚαθίσατεsitAor Act Impv 2 Pl · καθίζωmain verb (direct command, plural)→ ingressive aorist imperativeκαθίζω: 'sit / remain'; renders Hebrew שְׁבוּ (Qal imperative of יָשַׁב, 'sit / dwell'); the command immobilises the servants at the boundary of the sacred space.
ὧδεhereadverb of place→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὧδε: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐκάθισανthey satAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καθίζωmain verb (compliance)→ constative aoristκαθίζω: 'sit / settle / remain'; renders יָשַׁב; here 'they stayed / took position' at Geba.
3
καὶ εἶπεν Βοὸζ τῷ ἀγχιστεύοντι· Τὴν μερίδα τοῦ ἀγροῦ, ἥ ἐστιν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ ἡμῶν Αβιμέλεχ, ἀπέδοτο Νωεμὶν ἡ ἐπιστρέψασα ἐξ ἀγροῦ Μωάβ·
And Boaz said to the kinsman-redeemer, 'The portion of the field that belongs to our brother Elimelech, Naomi who returned from the country of Moab has put up for sale;'
Boaz opens the formal case by naming the property in question and its seller. The relative clause identifying Naomi ('who returned from the country of Moab') recalls 1:22, framing the redemption as the culmination of Naomi's journey.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΒοὸζBoazNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Βοὸζ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τῷto theDativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχιστεύοντιkinsman-redeemerPres Act Ptcp Dat Sg Masc · ἀγχιστεύωsubstantival participle (dative indirect object)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγχιστεύω: the technical term for the levirate/redemption role; dative marks the addressee.
ΤὴνtheAccusativearticle (fronted for emphasis)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
μερίδαportionAccusativedirect object (fronted topic)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μερίς: 'portion, share, plot'; the allotted family land (cf. Num 26:52–56). Topicalized by fronting.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγροῦfieldGenitivegenitive of apposition (the portion = the field)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγρός: 'field, agricultural plot.'
ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of relative clause)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἥ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (relative clause)→ gnomic/permanent presentεἰμί: copula.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivepredicate genitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀδελφός: 'brother'; used in Semitic fashion for a kinsman/fellow-tribesman, not necessarily a sibling.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἡμῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΑβιμέλεχElimelechGenitivegenitive apposition (proper name, indeclinable)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Αβιμέλεχ: LXX rendering of אֱלִימֶלֶךְ (ʾĔlîmeleḵ); some MSS have Αβιμελεχ/Ελιμελεχ. Indeclinable transliteration.
ἀπέδοτοhas put up for saleAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb (legal action reported)→ constative aorist (transaction viewed as whole)ἀποδίδωμι mid.: 'sell off, dispose of'; the middle voice underscores Naomi's personal interest in the transaction.
ΝωεμὶνNaomiNominativesubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Νωεμίν: LXX form of נָעֳמִי (Naomi); indeclinable transliteration.
ἡthe one whoNominativearticle (substantivizing participle)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἡ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἐπιστρέψασαreturnedAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg Fem · ἐπιστρέφωsubstantival participle (apposition to Νωεμίν)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐπιστρέφω: 'return, turn back'; echoes Naomi's homecoming in 1:22 (ἐπέστρεψεν).
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (origin)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐξ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἀγροῦthe countryGenitivegenitive of source→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγρός: 'field, countryside, territory'; ἐξ ἀγροῦ Μωάβ = 'from the territory of Moab.'
ΜωάβMoabGenitivegenitive (indeclinable proper name, attributive)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Μωάβ: indeclinable place-name; the foreign land Naomi and Ruth departed from.
4
κἀγὼ εἶπα· Ἀποκαλύψω τὸ οὖς σου λέγων· Κτῆσαι ἐναντίον τῶν καθημένων καὶ ἐναντίον τῶν πρεσβυτέρων τοῦ λαοῦ μου. εἰ ἀγχιστεύεις, ἀγχίστευε· εἰ δὲ μὴ ἀγχιστεύεις, ἀνάγγειλόν μοι, καὶ γνώσομαι· ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν πάρεξ σοῦ τοῦ ἀγχιστεῦσαι, κἀγὼ μετὰ σέ. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ἀγχιστεύσω.
And I said, 'I will disclose it to you, saying: Buy it before those who are sitting and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, tell me, that I may know; for there is no one besides you to redeem, and I am after you.' And he said, 'I will be the one to redeem.'
Boaz presents the right-of-first-refusal formally and publicly. The crasis κἀγώ (= καὶ ἐγώ) introduces his own prior decision to inform. The threefold repetition of ἀγχιστεύω in Boaz's challenge is rhetorically pointed — give the redeemer every opportunity. The redeemer's initial response is positive.
Word-by-word analysis· 46 words
κἀγὼand INominativecrasis (καὶ + ἐγώ); subject + connective→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κἀγώ: crasis of καὶ ἐγώ; marks personal involvement of Boaz in the disclosure decision.
εἶπαsaidAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπα, late/Koine 1 sg.): 'I said (to myself)'; introduces Saul's self-talk that rationalizes the sacrifice.
ἈποκαλύψωI will discloseFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb (reported speech)→ predictive futureἀποκαλύπτω: lit. 'uncover'; the idiom ἀποκαλύψω τὸ οὖς σου ('uncover your ear') is a Hebraism from גָּלָה אֹזֶן = 'disclose privately.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
οὖςearAccusativedirect object (idiom: 'uncover the ear' = disclose)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οὖς: 'ear'; part of the Hebraism ἀποκαλύπτειν τὸ οὖς τινος = to reveal something privately to someone.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σου: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωattendant-circumstance participle (introducing direct speech)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.λέγω (pres. ptcp.): renders the quotative לֵאמֹר ('saying').
Κτῆσαιacquire / buyAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · κτάομαιmain verb (imperative, offer of purchase right)→ ingressive aorist imperativeκτάομαι: 'acquire, get, purchase'; the aorist middle imperative formally offers the purchase right to the nearer redeemer.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (before the eyes of; witness idiom)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐναντίον: 'before, in the presence of'; a legal-witness idiom common in LXX.
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantivizing participle)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καθημένωνsittingPres Mid Ptcp Gen Pl Masc · κάθημαιsubstantival participle (genitive after ἐναντίον)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κάθημαι: 'sit'; the seated ones are the assembled witnesses at the gate.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (repeated for emphasis)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐναντίον: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
πρεσβυτέρωνeldersGenitivegenitive after ἐναντίον→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πρεσβυτέρων: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive of belonging→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.λαός: 'people'; used of the covenant people Israel.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μου: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
εἰifconditional particle (first-class condition)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.εἰ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἀγχιστεύειςyou will redeemPres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀγχιστεύωprotasis of conditional (first-class)→ futuristic presentἀγχιστεύω: verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of this clause.
ἀγχίστευεredeemPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀγχιστεύωapodosis (direct command — exercise the right)→ progressive present imperativeἀγχιστεύω: verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of this clause.
εἰifconditional particle (first-class condition, negative)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.εἰ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
δὲbutadversative particle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.δὲ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
μὴnotnegation (conditional)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μὴ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἀγχιστεύειςyou will redeemPres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀγχιστεύωprotasis of negative conditional→ futuristic presentἀγχιστεύω: verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of this clause.
ἀνάγγειλόνtellAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (apodosis command)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἀναγγέλλω: 'report, declare, announce'; formal disclosure expected.
μοιto meDativedative of indirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μοι: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
γνώσομαιI will knowFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (result clause)→ predictive futureγινώσκω: 'know'; what Boaz will know = whether he must proceed as redeemer himself.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (giving reason for the offer)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὅτι: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
οὐκnotnegation→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οὐκ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential copula→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς = 'which do not have.'
πάρεξbesidespreposition + genitive (exclusive exception)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πάρεξ: 'except, besides, apart from'; rare preposition in LXX.
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive after πάρεξ→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of purpose/specification)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχιστεῦσαιredeemAor Act Inf · ἀγχιστεύωarticular infinitive (genitive of specification: 'besides you to redeem')→ constative aorist infinitiveἀγχιστεύω: verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of this clause.
κἀγὼand INominativecrasis; subject of following clause→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κἀγὼ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (sequence)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μετὰ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
σέyouAccusativeobject of μετά (positional: 'second in line')→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σέ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with substantivized relative clause)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
δὲandparticle (narrative ὁ δέ = change of subject)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.δὲ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (redeemer's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ἘγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἐγώ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (identifying clause)→ gnomic/identifying presentεἰμί: 'be'; ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος renders אֲנִי יהוה.
ὁthe one whoNominativearticle (substantivizing future indicative)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχιστεύσωwill redeemFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀγχιστεύωsubstantivized predicate (relative clause = 'I am the one who will redeem')→ predictive futureἀγχιστεύω: verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of this clause.
5
καὶ εἶπεν Βοόζ· Ἐν ᾗ ἡμέρᾳ κτᾶσαι τὸ πεδίον ἐκ χειρὸς Νωεμὶν καὶ παρὰ Ρουθ τῆς Μωαβίτιδος γυναικὸς τοῦ τεθνηκότος κτᾶσαι δεῖ, ὥστε ἀναστῆσαι τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τεθνηκότος ἐπὶ τῆς κληρονομίας αὐτοῦ.
And Boaz said, 'On the day you acquire the field from the hand of Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, you must also acquire her, so as to raise up the name of the dead man over his inheritance.'
This verse is the turning-point: Boaz reveals the levirate dimension of the redemption — the redeemer must take Ruth as wife to perpetuate the dead man's name. The obligation (δεῖ) ties the land purchase inseparably to the social duty, and it is this condition that will cause the redeemer to withdraw.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΒοόζBoazNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Βοόζ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
Ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἐν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ᾗwhichDativerelative pronoun (correlative: 'on the day when')→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ᾗ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativetemporal dative (after ἐν)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν ᾗ ἡμέρᾳ = 'on whatever day, when.'
κτᾶσαιyou acquirePres Mid Indic 2 Sg · κτάομαιmain verb of temporal clause→ futuristic present (contingent action)κτάομαι: 'acquire, purchase'; repeated from v.4.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
πεδίονfieldAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πεδίον: 'plain, field'; LXX variant for the plot of land (cf. μερίς v.3).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐκ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
χειρὸςthe handGenitivegenitive of source (idiom: 'from the hand of' = from the possession of)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.χείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρός + gen. is a Hebraism of מִיַּד = 'from the possession/ownership of.'
ΝωεμὶνNaomiGenitivegenitive (after χειρός; indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Νωεμὶν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source, parallel to ἐκ χειρός)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.παρὰ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΡουθRuthGenitivegenitive (after παρά; indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ρούθ: indeclinable LXX transliteration of רוּת; here the second party to the transaction.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῆς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΜωαβίτιδοςMoabitessGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ρουθ→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Μωαβῖτις: 'Moabitess, woman from Moab'; an ethnic designation marking Ruth's foreign origin, repeated at 4:10 for legal explicitness.
γυναικὸςwifeGenitivegenitive apposition (further identification of Ruth)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.γυνή: 'wife, woman'; the legal status of widow of the deceased is legally significant.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τεθνηκότοςdead manPerf Act Ptcp Gen Sg Masc · θνῄσκωsubstantival participle (genitive of relationship: wife of the deceased)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.θνῄσκω: 'die'; the perfect participle = 'the one who has died / the deceased'; the perfect aspect stresses the ongoing state of death.
κτᾶσαιyou must acquirePres Mid Indic 2 Sg · κτάομαιmain verb (apodosis, parallel to first κτᾶσαι)→ futuristic/obligatory presentκτάομαι: verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of this clause.
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖ (impersonal)impersonal verb of obligation (modifying κτᾶσαι)→ gnomic present (moral/legal necessity)δεῖ: 'it is necessary, one must'; expresses legal/moral obligation. The levirate duty is here stated as imperative.
ὥστεso as toresult/purpose conjunction + infinitive→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὥστε: introduces a result/purpose clause with infinitive — 'so as to, in order to.'
ἀναστῆσαιraise upAor Act Inf · ἀνίστημιinfinitive of purpose/result (after ὥστε)→ constative aorist infinitiveἀνίστημι: 'raise up'; ἀναστῆσαι τὸ ὄνομα = 'to raise up / perpetuate the name' of the dead — the levirate purpose of Deut 25:6–7.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object of ἀναστῆσαι→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὄνομα: 'name'; in Semitic thought, the 'name' = the person's identity, line, and inheritance (cf. Deut 25:6).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τεθνηκότοςdead manPerf Act Ptcp Gen Sg Masc · θνῄσκωsubstantival participle (genitive of possession)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.θνῄσκω (perf. ptcp.): 'have died / be dead'; the perfect participle 'dead' intensifies the worthlessness — not merely a dog, but a dead one, utterly beneath a king's notice.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitive (continuation upon)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐπὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῆς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
κληρονομίαςinheritanceGenitivegenitive after ἐπί (object of continuation)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κληρονομία: 'inheritance, allotted estate'; the ancestral land (κλῆρος) that must stay in the family and bear the dead man's name.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
6
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀγχιστεύων· Οὐ δυνήσομαι ἀγχιστεῦσαι ἐμαυτῷ, μήποτε διαφθείρω τὴν κληρονομίαν μου· ἀγχίστευσον σεαυτῷ τὴν ἀγχιστείαν μου, ὅτι οὐ δυνήσομαι ἀγχιστεῦσαι.
And the kinsman-redeemer said, 'I am not able to redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance; redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I am not able to redeem it.'
The redeemer declines with the explanation that redemption would damage his own inheritance — presumably by dividing property between heirs. The irony is pointed: the man who bears the right refuses it. His refusal opens the way for Boaz. The fourfold ἀγχιστεύω cluster encapsulates the legal drama.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantivizing participle)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχιστεύωνkinsman-redeemerPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἀγχιστεύωsubstantival participle (subject)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγχιστεύω: participial form contributing descriptive or attendant verbal force in this clause.
Οὐnotnegation (indicative)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Οὐ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
δυνήσομαιI am ableFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb (modal: ability)→ predictive futureδύναμαι: 'be able, can'; the negated future underscores inability — not unwillingness in principle but practical impossibility.
ἀγχιστεῦσαιto redeemAor Act Inf · ἀγχιστεύωcomplementary infinitive (after δύναμαι)→ constative aorist infinitiveἀγχιστεύω: verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of this clause.
ἐμαυτῷfor myselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐμαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; the dative underscores the personal cost.
μήποτεlestnegative purpose conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μήποτε: 'lest, that ... not'; introduces the feared consequence.
διαφθείρωI ruinPres Act Subj 1 Sg · διαφθείρωverb of purpose/fear clause (subjunctive after μήποτε)→ progressive present subjunctive (ongoing damage feared)διαφθείρω: 'corrupt, ruin, destroy'; the feared harm is to his existing family estate — a new heir would subdivide the inheritance.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
κληρονομίανinheritanceAccusativedirect object of διαφθείρω→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κληρονομία: 'inheritance'; the redeemer's own ancestral estate that would be encumbered.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μου: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχίστευσονredeemAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀγχιστεύωmain verb (command — ceding the right to Boaz)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἀγχιστεύω: verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of this clause.
σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive, addressed to Boaz)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σεαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun, 2nd person.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχιστείανright of redemptionAccusativedirect object (the right being transferred)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγχιστεία: 'right/duty of kinsman-redemption'; the abstract noun from ἀγχιστεύω, used here for the legal entitlement being formally ceded.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μου: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (giving reason for the cession)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὅτι: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
οὐnotnegation→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οὐ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
δυνήσομαιI am ableFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb (repeated for emphasis)→ predictive futureδύναμαι (fut. δυνήσομαι): 'be able'; with μή, 'I shall not be able …, shall I?' — David concedes he cannot reverse the death.
ἀγχιστεῦσαιto redeemAor Act Inf · ἀγχιστεύωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aorist infinitiveἀγχιστεύω: verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of this clause.
7
καὶ τοῦτο τὸ δικαίωμα ἔμπροσθεν ἐν τῷ Ἰσραήλ· ἐπὶ τὴν ἀγχιστείαν καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ἀντάλλαγμα τοῦ στῆσαι πᾶν λόγον· καὶ ὑπελύετο ὁ ἀνὴρ τὸ ὑπόδημα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐδίδου τῷ πλησίον αὐτοῦ τῷ ἀγχιστεύοντι τὴν ἀγχιστείαν αὐτοῦ· καὶ τοῦτο ἦν μαρτύριον ἐν Ἰσραήλ.
Now this was the custom formerly in Israel concerning redemption and concerning exchange, to confirm any matter: a man would remove his sandal and give it to the one who was redeeming his right of redemption; and this was the testimony in Israel.
The narrator steps outside the story to explain an archaic legal custom — the sandal-removal — to readers who may not know it. This parenthetical is part of the Greek text itself (not a textual variant). The imperfect ὑπελύετο/ἐδίδου indicates customary/repeated action in former times.
Word-by-word analysis· 42 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (transitional, narrative aside)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦτο: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
δικαίωμαcustom / ordinanceNominativepredicate nominative (subject complement with ἦν implied)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.δικαίωμα: 'ordinance, legal requirement, custom'; here = 'the established legal practice.'
ἔμπροσθενformerlyadverb of time (formerly, in earlier times)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἔμπροσθεν: normally 'before, in front of'; temporally = 'formerly.' The custom is presented as archaic.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location — among)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τῷtheDativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἸσραήλIsraelDativedative after ἐν (indeclinable proper name treated as dative by context)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἰσραήλ: indeclinable; 'in Israel' = in Israelite legal practice.
ἐπὶconcerningpreposition + accusative (reference/topic)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐπὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχιστείανredemptionAccusativeobject of ἐπί (topic of the custom)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγχιστείαν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐπὶconcerningpreposition + accusative (parallel reference)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐπὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀντάλλαγμαexchangeAccusativeobject of ἐπί (second topic: exchange/barter)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀντάλλαγμα: 'exchange, substitute, equivalent'; the transfer of property rights by symbolic exchange.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (articular infinitive of purpose)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
στῆσαιconfirmAor Act Inf · ἵστημιarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ constative aorist infinitiveἵστημι: 'set, establish, confirm'; τοῦ στῆσαι πᾶν λόγον = 'to establish/confirm every matter' — a legal finalization formula.
πᾶνeveryAccusativeadjective (attributive, modifying λόγον)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πᾶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
λόγονmatterAccusativedirect object of στῆσαι→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.λόγος: 'word, matter, case'; πᾶν λόγον = 'any legal transaction.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative resumes)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὑπελύετοwould removeImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ὑπολύωmain verb (customary imperfect)→ customary/iterative imperfect (repeated past practice)ὑπολύω: 'loosen from below, remove (sandals)'; the imperfect expresses the customary nature — 'used to do.'
ὁtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀνήρ: 'man'; the generic redeemer in the customary description.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὑπόδημαsandalAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὑπόδημα: 'sandal, shoe'; the sandal as legal token of transfer — translates Hebrew נַעַל. The symbolic act acknowledges that one relinquishes the right to walk on / own the property.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐδίδουwould giveImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (customary imperfect, parallel to ὑπελύετο)→ customary/iterative imperfectδίδωμι: 'give'; the formal handing-over of the sandal.
τῷto theDativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
πλησίονneighbourDativedative indirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πλησίον: 'neighbour, fellow'; here the legal counterpart in the transaction.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τῷto the oneDativearticle (substantivizing participle)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχιστεύοντιredeemingPres Act Ptcp Dat Sg Masc · ἀγχιστεύωsubstantival participle (dative apposition: the one taking on the redemption)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγχιστεύω: participial form contributing descriptive or attendant verbal force in this clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχιστείανright of redemptionAccusativedirect object of ἀγχιστεύοντι (the right being assumed)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγχιστείαν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the former redeemer's right)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of closing statement)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦτο: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ descriptive imperfectεἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
μαρτύριονtestimonyNominativepredicate nominative→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μαρτύριον: 'testimony, evidence, witness'; the sandal-gesture was the legally recognized testimony of the transaction.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location — among)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἸσραήλIsraelDativedative after ἐν (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἰσραήλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
8
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀγχιστεύων τῷ Βοόζ· Κτῆσαι σεαυτῷ τὴν ἀγχιστείαν μου. καὶ ὑπελύσατο τὸ ὑπόδημα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ.
And the kinsman-redeemer said to Boaz, 'Acquire my right of redemption for yourself.' And he removed his sandal and gave it to him.
The narrator now narrates the actual performance of the custom explained in v.7. The aorists ὑπελύσατο and ἔδωκεν mark the definite, completed legal act — the transfer of right is now official.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχιστεύωνkinsman-redeemerPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἀγχιστεύωsubstantival participle (subject)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγχιστεύω: participial form contributing descriptive or attendant verbal force in this clause.
τῷtoDativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΒοόζBoazDativedative indirect object (addressee)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Βοόζ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΚτῆσαιacquireAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · κτάομαιmain verb (command ceding the right)→ ingressive aorist imperativeκτάομαι: verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of this clause.
σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σεαυτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγχιστείανright of redemptionAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγχιστείαν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μου: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὑπελύσατοremovedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ὑπολύωmain verb→ constative aorist (definite completed act)ὑπολύω: 'loosen from below, remove'; the aorist (contrast the customary imperfect ὑπελύετο in v.7) marks this as the specific completed instance.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὑπόδημαsandalAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὑπόδημα: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the formal presentation of the sandal completes the legal transfer.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (= to Boaz)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
9
καὶ εἶπεν Βοὸζ τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις καὶ παντὶ τῷ λαῷ· Μάρτυρες ὑμεῖς σήμερον ὅτι κέκτημαι πάντα τὰ τοῦ Αβιμέλεχ καὶ πάντα ὅσα ὑπάρχει τῷ Χελαιων καὶ τῷ Μααλον ἐκ χειρὸς Νωεμίν.
And Boaz said to the elders and to all the people, 'You are witnesses today that I have acquired everything that belonged to Elimelech and everything that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon, from the hand of Naomi.'
Boaz formally calls the elders and the assembled people as witnesses — a legal declaration per the gate-assembly custom. The perfect κέκτημαι stresses the completed and now-permanent acquisition. The three names of Elimelech's household are named in full for legal precision.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΒοὸζBoazNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Βοὸζ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τοῖςto theDativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῖς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
πρεσβυτέροιςeldersDativedative indirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πρεσβυτέροις: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
παντὶallDativeadjective (attributive, with τῷ λαῷ)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.παντὶ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τῷtheDativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
λαῷpeopleDativedative indirect object (second addressee)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.λαός: 'people'; the full assembly at the gate functions as the public witness body.
ΜάρτυρεςwitnessesNominativepredicate nominative (verbless declaration)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μάρτυς: 'witness'; the solemn declaration addresses the assembly as legal witnesses — a performative speech-act.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun — verbless clause)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὑμεῖς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σήμερον: 'today'; the legal force is bound to this specific day.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing content of witness (ὅτι recitativum)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὅτι: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
κέκτημαιI have acquiredPerf Mid Indic 1 Sg · κτάομαιmain verb of ὅτι clause→ intensive/extensive perfect (completed acquisition with present state of ownership)κτάομαι: 'acquire, purchase'; the perfect tense here is legally significant — the acquisition is complete and its effect stands.
πάνταeverythingAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πάντα: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantivized genitive phrase)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὰ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (genitive of possession)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΑβιμέλεχElimelechGenitivegenitive of possession (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Αβιμέλεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
πάνταeverythingAccusativedirect object (parallel)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πάντα: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (correlative: 'all that')→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὅσα: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὑπάρχειbelongsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπάρχωverb of relative clause→ gnomic present (property as permanent fact)ὑπάρχω: 'belong to, be the property of' (with dative); a formal legal term for possession.
τῷtoDativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΧελαιωνChilionDativedative after ὑπάρχει (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Χελαιών: LXX form of כִּלְיוֹן (Chilion), one of Elimelech's sons.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τῷtoDativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΜααλονMahlonDativedative after ὑπάρχει (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Μααλών: LXX form of מַחְלוֹן (Mahlon), Ruth's first husband.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source of acquisition)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐκ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
χειρὸςthe handGenitivegenitive (Hebraism: ἐκ χειρός = from the possession of)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.χειρὸς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΝωεμίνNaomiGenitivegenitive after χειρός (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Νωεμίν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
10
καὶ γε Ρουθ τὴν Μωαβῖτιν τὴν γυναῖκα Μααλων κέκτημαι ἐμαυτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα τοῦ ἀναστῆσαι τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τεθνηκότος ἐπὶ τῆς κληρονομίας αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξαλειφθήσεται τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τεθνηκότος ἐκ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκ τῆς πύλης τοῦ τόπου αὐτοῦ· μάρτυρες ὑμεῖς σήμερον.
And also Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have taken for myself as wife, to raise up the name of the dead over his inheritance, so that the name of the dead will not be cut off from his brothers and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses today.
The particle καί γε ('and indeed, moreover') adds emphasis and introduces the more personal, socially weighty second element: Boaz publicly declares he is taking Ruth as wife. The declaration closes with the same witness-formula as v.9 (μάρτυρες ὑμεῖς σήμερον), framing the two elements as one unified legal act.
Word-by-word analysis· 43 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
γεindeedemphatic particle (intensifying καί: 'and moreover')→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.γε: enclitic particle of emphasis; with καί = 'and also / and indeed.'
ΡουθRuthAccusativedirect object (fronted for emphasis; indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ρούθ: indeclinable; fronted to highlight that the person is as much the object of acquisition as the land.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΜωαβῖτινMoabitessAccusativeaccusative in apposition (ethnic identification, legally significant)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Μωαβῖτις: repeated ethnic marker; legally significant in that a Moabitess might face social/legal challenge under Deut 23:3.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativeaccusative apposition (relational identification)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.γυνή: 'wife'; the legal relationship to the deceased is specified.
ΜααλωνMahlonGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Μααλων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
κέκτημαιI have takenPerf Mid Indic 1 Sg · κτάομαιmain verb (perfect of completed acquisition)→ intensive perfect (done and standing)κτάομαι: verbal form carrying the action, process, or state of this clause.
ἐμαυτῷfor myselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐμαυτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (predicative: 'as / into the role of')→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.εἰς + acc.: 'as, for the purpose of'; a Hebraism of לְ + noun = 'to be/become.'
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativepredicate accusative after εἰς→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.γυναῖκα: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (articular infinitive of purpose)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀναστῆσαιraise upAor Act Inf · ἀνίστημιarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ constative aorist infinitiveἀνίστημι: 'raise up / establish'; renders הָקִים; the articular τοῦ ἀναστῆσαι expresses the positive counterpart — setting up David's throne over the whole land.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object of ἀναστῆσαι→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὄνομα: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τεθνηκότοςdead manPerf Act Ptcp Gen Sg Masc · θνῄσκωsubstantival participle (genitive of possession)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.θνῄσκω (perf. ptcp.): 'have died / be dead'; the perfect participle 'dead' intensifies the worthlessness — not merely a dog, but a dead one, utterly beneath a king's notice.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitive (continuation upon inheritance)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐπὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῆς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
κληρονομίαςinheritanceGenitivegenitive after ἐπί→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κληρονομίας: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
οὐκnotnegation→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οὐκ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐξαλειφθήσεταιwill be blotted outFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐξαλείφωmain verb (purpose/result: negative statement)→ predictive future passiveἐξαλείφω: 'blot out, wipe away, erase'; used of erasing a name from memory — a catastrophic social consequence in ancient Israel.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of passive verb→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὄνομα: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τεθνηκότοςdead manPerf Act Ptcp Gen Sg Masc · θνῄσκωsubstantival participle (genitive of possession)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.θνῄσκω (perf. ptcp.): 'have died / be dead'; the perfect participle 'dead' intensifies the worthlessness — not merely a dog, but a dead one, utterly beneath a king's notice.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐκ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀδελφῶνbrothersGenitivegenitive of separation (erased from the community of kin)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the clan community that would suffer the shame of a name's obliteration.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation, parallel)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐκ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῆς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
πύληςgateGenitivegenitive of separation (the community gathered at the gate)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πύλη: 'gate'; the public civic forum — to be erased 'from the gate' = to lose one's standing in the community.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive of belonging→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τόπος: 'place'; = 'his home town,' i.e., Bethlehem.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
μάρτυρεςwitnessesNominativepredicate nominative (closing witness-formula)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μάρτυρες: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic, verbless clause)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὑμεῖς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σήμερον: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
11
καὶ εἶπαν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὁ ἐν τῇ πύλῃ καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι· Μάρτυρες· δῴη κύριος τὴν γυναῖκα τὴν εἰσπορευομένην εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου ὡς Ραχηλ καὶ ὡς Λείαν, αἳ ᾠκοδόμησαν ἀμφότεραι τὸν οἶκον Ἰσραήλ, καὶ ποίησον δύναμιν ἐν Εφραθα καὶ ἔσται ὄνομά σου ἐν Βηθλέεμ.
And all the people in the gate and the elders said, 'We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your house like Rachel and like Leah, who together built the house of Israel; and may you do worthily in Ephrathah and may your name be famous in Bethlehem.'
The entire assembly responds with the witness-acclamation and then a blessing. Rachel and Leah are named as the matriarchal builders of Israel — Ruth is being incorporated into the founding story of the nation. The optative δῴη (aorist optative of δίδωμι) is a wish/prayer addressed to the LORD. Ephrathah and Bethlehem appear as parallel names for the town.
Word-by-word analysis· 45 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (corporate speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (attributive, modifying ὁ λαός)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πᾶς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.λαὸς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὁthe onesNominativearticle (substantivizing prepositional phrase)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τῇtheDativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῇ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
πύλῃgateDativedative of location→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πύλῃ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οἱ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
πρεσβύτεροιeldersNominativesubject (second group)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πρεσβύτεροι: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΜάρτυρεςwitnessesNominativepredicate nominative (affirmation of witness role — response to Boaz)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.μάρτυς: 'witness'; the people echo Boaz's own witness-formula, formally accepting the role.
δῴηmay giveAor Act Opt 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of wish-clause (optative of prayer/blessing)→ volitive optative (wish/prayer directed to the LORD)δίδωμι: 'give'; the aorist optative δῴη expresses a pious wish — 'may the LORD grant.'
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of optative clause→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κύριος: LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine name appears in the blessing formula.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
γυναῖκαwomanAccusativedirect object of δῴη→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.γυνή: 'woman, wife'; Ruth is the object of the LORD's blessing.
τὴνthe one whoAccusativearticle (substantivizing participle)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
εἰσπορευομένηνcoming inPres Mid Ptcp Acc Sg Fem · εἰσπορεύομαιsubstantival participle (apposition, describing Ruth as entering the household)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.εἰσπορεύομαι: 'enter, come in'; the participle frames Ruth's entry as bride into the household.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.εἰς: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
οἶκόνhouseAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination of entry)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οἶκος: 'house, household'; here figuratively the household/family into which Ruth enters.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (addressed to Boaz)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σου: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὡςlikecomparative particle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὡς: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΡαχηλRachelAccusativeaccusative (comparandum; indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ραχήλ: LXX form of רָחֵל; the beloved wife of Jacob, mother of Joseph and Benjamin, co-foundress of Israel.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὡςlikecomparative particle (parallel)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὡς: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΛείανLeahAccusativeaccusative (comparandum)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Λεία: LXX form of לֵאָה; the elder wife of Jacob, mother of six sons including Judah.
αἳwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of relative clause; antecedent: Rachel and Leah)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αἳ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ᾠκοδόμησανbuiltAor Act Indic 3 Pl · οἰκοδομέωmain verb of relative clause→ constative aoristοἰκοδομέω: 'build'; here metaphorical — they 'built' the house/people of Israel through their children.
ἀμφότεραιbothNominativesubject-adjunct (both together — emphasizing combined contribution)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀμφότερος: 'both'; stresses the unity of their co-founding role.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
οἶκονhouseAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οἶκος: here 'the house/people of Israel' — the nation as a household.
ἸσραήλIsraelGenitivegenitive of belonging (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἰσραήλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ποίησονdo / showAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (second blessing-wish, imperatival form addressed to Boaz)→ ingressive aorist imperativeποιέω: 'do, make, show'; ποίησον δύναμιν = 'show/prove worth, act valiantly' — a Hebraism of עֲשֵׂה חַיִל.
δύναμινworth / mightAccusativedirect object (Hebraism: ποιεῖν δύναμιν = to act worthily/valiantly)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.δύναμις: 'power, worth, valour'; the phrase = 'do valiantly, prove yourself a man of worth' (cf. Boaz as אִישׁ גִּבּוֹר חַיִל in 2:1).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΕφραθαEphrathahDativedative of location (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἐφραθά: the ancient name for Bethlehem and its district (cf. Gen 35:19; Mic 5:2); treated as indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (third blessing element — predictive promise)→ predictive futureεἰμί (fut.): copula.
ὄνομάnameNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὄνομα: 'name, reputation'; a good name = renown in the community.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σου: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΒηθλέεμBethlehemDativedative of location (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Βηθλέεμ: 'House of Bread'; the city of the narrative, and of David's later birth — a foreshadowing already felt in the genealogy of vv.18–22.
12
καὶ γένοιτο ὁ οἶκός σου ὡς ὁ οἶκος Φαρές, ὃν ἔτεκεν Θαμαρ τῷ Ἰούδᾳ, ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος οὗ δῴη κύριος σοι ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης ταύτης.
And may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, from the offspring that the LORD may give to you from this young woman.
The blessing invokes Perez (Φαρές), born of the levirate-like union of Tamar and Judah (Gen 38) — a deliberate parallel with the present levirate redemption. The optative γένοιτο (aorist optative of γίγνομαι) continues the prayer-register. Tamar's story and Ruth's converge: both foreign women, both producing the Davidic line through an irregular but righteous union.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
γένοιτοmay becomeAor Mid Opt 3 Sg · γίγνομαιmain verb (volitive optative — wish/prayer)→ volitive optative (prayer-wish)γίγνομαι: 'become, be'; the aorist optative γένοιτο is the standard LXX optative of blessing (= יְהִי in Hebrew).
ὁtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
οἶκόςhouseNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οἶκος: 'house, household, dynasty'; the hoped-for Davidic dynasty is latent here.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σου: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὡςlikecomparative particle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὡς: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὁ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
οἶκοςhouseNominativepredicate nominative (comparandum)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οἶκος: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΦαρέςPerezGenitivegenitive of belonging (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Φαρές: LXX form of פֶּרֶץ (Perez), son of Judah and Tamar (Gen 38:29); ancestor of the Davidic line. The same name recurs in the genealogy of v.18.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (direct object of ἔτεκεν; antecedent: Φαρές)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὃν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἔτεκενboreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωmain verb of relative clause→ constative aoristτίκτω: 'bear, give birth to'; the same verb used in the genealogical formula of vv.13 and 17.
ΘαμαρTamarNominativesubject of relative clause (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Θαμάρ: LXX form of תָּמָר (Tamar), who enacted a levirate-like claim on Judah and bore Perez (Gen 38). The explicit comparison draws Ruth and Tamar together as women who secured the covenant line by bold initiative.
τῷtoDativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἸούδᾳJudahDativedative indirect object (father of the child)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἰούδας: LXX form of יְהוּדָה (Judah); the tribal patriarch through whom the Davidic and messianic line runs.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐκ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
σπέρματοςoffspringGenitivegenitive of source→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σπέρμα: 'seed, offspring, descendants'; the promised seed carries the whole covenantal weight of the blessing.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive of source; antecedent: σπέρματος — 'from the offspring which')→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οὗ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
δῴηmay giveAor Act Opt 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause (volitive optative)→ volitive optativeδίδωμι (aor. opt. δῴη): 'give / grant'; the optative of wish expresses Eli's blessing-prayer that God grant Hannah's petition; the verb δίδωμι again, binding the priest's blessing to the chapter's give/grant theme.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of optative clause→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κύριος: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
σοιto youDativedative of indirect object (addressed to Boaz)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σοι: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source — from this young woman)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐκ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῆς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
παιδίσκηςyoung womanGenitivegenitive of source→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.παιδίσκη: 'young woman, maidservant'; Ruth used this self-designation in 2:13; it appears here in the mouths of the community, perhaps with affection.
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (attributive, identifying Ruth as present)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ταύτης: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
13
Καὶ ἔλαβεν Βοὸζ τὴν Ρουθ καὶ ἐγενήθη αὐτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα καὶ εἰσῆλθεν πρὸς αὐτήν· καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῇ κύριος κύησιν καὶ ἔτεκεν υἱόν.
And Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife, and he went in to her; and the LORD gave her conception and she bore a son.
Three rapid aorists narrate the fulfilment: marriage, conjugal union, divine gift of conception. The explicit theological note — κύριος gave conception — echoes the book's consistent attribution of fruitfulness to God (1:6, 4:14). The noun κύησις ('conception, pregnancy') is a rare medical term, unique in the LXX to this verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (marriage formula: 'take as wife')→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; λαμβάνειν γυναῖκα / λαμβάνειν εἰς γυναῖκα is the standard LXX marriage formula.
ΒοὸζBoazNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Βοὸζ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΡουθRuthAccusativedirect object (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ρουθ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐγενήθηbecameAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίγνομαιmain verb (marriage result)→ constative aoristγίγνομαι: 'become'; ἐγενήθη αὐτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα = 'became his wife' — the εἰς + pred. acc. is a Hebraism of לְ.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of possession/relation (became his wife)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (predicative; Hebraism)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.εἰς: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativepredicate accusative after εἰς→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.γυναῖκα: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἰσῆλθενwent inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (euphemism for conjugal union)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter, go in'; εἰσελθεῖν πρός = the LXX euphemism for sexual union, translating בּוֹא אֶל.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (toward; part of euphemism)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πρὸς: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
αὐτήνherAccusativeobject of πρός→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτήν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (divine gift of conception)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the subject changes to κύριος — God is the ultimate giver of fertility.
αὐτῇto herDativedative indirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτῇ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject (delayed; divine actor in fertility)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the divine gift of conception recalls 1 Sam 1:19–20 (Hannah).
κύησινconceptionAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κύησις: 'conception, pregnancy'; a medical/biological term found only here in the LXX; translates הֵרָיוֹן (conception).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἔτεκενboreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωmain verb (birth narrative)→ constative aoristτίκτω: 'bear, give birth to'; the same verb used in the genealogical formulas of vv.12, 17.
υἱόνa sonAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.υἱός: 'son'; the birth of a son is the fulfilment of the levirate purpose stated in v.5 — a male heir to carry the name.
14
καὶ εἶπαν αἱ γυναῖκες πρὸς Νωεμίν· Εὐλογητὸς κύριος, ὃς οὐ κατέλιπέν σε σήμερον ἄνευ ἀγχιστεύοντος, καὶ καλέσαι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐν Ἰσραήλ.
And the women said to Naomi, 'Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you today without a kinsman-redeemer, that his name may be proclaimed in Israel.'
The women of Bethlehem — who opened the book by meeting Naomi (1:19) — now close the narrative arc with a doxology. The blessing-form εὐλογητὸς κύριος is the standard LXX praise formula (cf. Gen 24:27). The term ἀγχιστεύοντος now refers to the newborn son (Obed) as the new redeemer for Naomi, shifting the semantic range from legal redemption to familial care.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction, plural — the women's chorus)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αἱ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
γυναῖκεςwomenNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.γυνή: 'woman'; the women of Bethlehem who greeted Naomi's return in 1:19 now provide the closing benediction.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addressee of speech)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πρὸς: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΝωεμίνNaomiAccusativeobject of πρός (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Νωεμίν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΕὐλογητὸςblessedNominativepredicate adjective (verbless doxology)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.εὐλογητός: 'blessed, praised'; the verbal adjective from εὐλογέω = 'worthy of blessing.' Εὐλογητὸς κύριος is the standard LXX doxological formula (ברוּךְ יהוה).
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of verbless doxology→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κύριος: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject; grounds the praise in God's specific act)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὃς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
οὐnotnegation→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οὐ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
κατέλιπένleftAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταλείπωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (God's completed act of not-abandoning)καταλείπω: 'leave behind, forsake, abandon'; the negated aorist = 'has not abandoned' — contrasts with Naomi's feeling of being abandoned by God (1:20–21).
σεyouAccusativedirect object (Naomi is addressed)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σε: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σήμερον: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἄνευwithoutpreposition + genitive (absence)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἄνευ: 'without, apart from'; the deprivation that God has prevented.
ἀγχιστεύοντοςkinsman-redeemerPres Act Ptcp Gen Sg Masc · ἀγχιστεύωsubstantival participle (genitive after ἄνευ)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγχιστεύω: the term now refers not to the legal redeemer Boaz but to the newborn Obed as Naomi's family-redeemer — a semantic extension from legal to familial care.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (purpose/result)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καλέσαιto call / proclaimAor Act Inf · καλέωinfinitive of purpose/result (that his name may be called)→ constative aorist infinitiveκαλέω: 'call, name, proclaim'; καλέσαι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ = 'to call out / proclaim his name' — the naming and public proclamation that follows in v.17.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object of καλέσαι→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὄνομα: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the child's name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: in Israel)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἸσραήλIsraelDativedative after ἐν (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἰσραήλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
15
καὶ ἔσται σοι εἰς ἐπιστρέφοντα ψυχὴν καὶ τοῦ διαθρέψαι τὴν πολιάν σου, ὅτι ἡ νύμφη σου ἡ ἀγαπήσασά σε ἔτεκεν αὐτόν, ἥ ἐστιν ἀγαθή σοι ὑπὲρ ἑπτὰ υἱούς.
And he will be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, because your daughter-in-law who loves you — who is better to you than seven sons — bore him.
The women elaborate the child's significance for Naomi personally: he will 'restore her soul' (ἐπιστρέφοντα ψυχήν — restoring vitality) and nourish her old age. The superlative 'better than seven sons' is the book's climactic praise of Ruth — the ideal son-count (seven = completeness) is exceeded by this Moabitess. The sentence closes the women's speech and focuses the reader's attention back on Ruth before the naming.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (predictive: describing the child's role)→ predictive futureεἰμί (fut.): copula.
σοιto youDativedative of advantage (for Naomi)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σοι: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (predicative role; Hebraism of לְ)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.εἰς: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐπιστρέφονταrestoringPres Act Ptcp Acc Sg Masc · ἐπιστρέφωsubstantival participle (predicate after εἰς — 'as one who restores')→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn, restore, revive'; ἐπιστρέφοντα ψυχήν = 'restoring the soul/life' — a Hebraism of מֵשִׁיב נֶפֶשׁ (Ps 23:3; Ruth 4:15).
ψυχὴνsoul / lifeAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστρέφοντα→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ψυχή: 'soul, life, vitality'; the idiomatic object in the restorative Hebraism — the child revitalizes Naomi.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (articular infinitive of purpose)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
διαθρέψαιnourishAor Act Inf · διατρέφωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ constative aorist infinitiveδιατρέφω: 'nourish thoroughly, support, sustain'; the compound suggests ongoing adequate care — a son's duty to an aging parent.
τὴνyourAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὴν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
πολιάνold ageAccusativedirect object of διαθρέψαι→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πολιά: 'grey hair, old age'; a synecdoche for advanced years. The child will sustain Naomi in her old age.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σου: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (grounding the praise in Ruth's action)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὅτι: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἡ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
νύμφηdaughter-in-lawNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.νύμφη: 'daughter-in-law, bride'; Ruth's relationship to Naomi is foregrounded — not merely her role as Boaz's wife.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σου: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἡthe one whoNominativearticle (substantivizing participle)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἡ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἀγαπήσασάlovedAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg Fem · ἀγαπάωsubstantival participle (apposition to ἡ νύμφη — she who has loved you)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the only use of ἀγαπάω in Ruth, placed here at the climax to name what has driven Ruth's hesed throughout the story.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπήσασά→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σε: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἔτεκενboreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωmain verb of causal clause→ constative aoristτίκτω (aor. ἔτεκεν): 'bear / give birth'; renders יָלַד; the long-awaited birth that resolves the chapter's central crisis.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object (= the son of v.13)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτόν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἥwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject; antecedent: ἡ νύμφη σου)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἥ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (relative clause)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.
ἀγαθήbetterNominativepredicate adjective (comparative sense with ὑπέρ)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἀγαθός: 'good'; with ὑπέρ + accusative = 'better than' — the superlative comparative is a Hebraism of טוֹב מִן.
σοιto youDativedative of advantage (in your estimation)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.σοι: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὑπὲρthanpreposition + accusative (comparative standard: 'beyond, more than')→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὑπέρ: here with comparative force ('better than...'); a LXX Hebraism.
ἑπτὰsevennumeral (indeclinable) modifying υἱούς→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ἑπτά: 'seven'; the number of completeness/ideal fullness in biblical idiom (1 Sam 2:5); more than seven sons = the superlative of familial blessing.
υἱούςsonsAccusativeaccusative (object of ὑπέρ — comparandum)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.υἱός: 'son'; seven sons = the ideal family and social security for an aging mother in ancient Israel.
16
καὶ ἔλαβεν Νωεμὶν τὸ παιδίον καὶ ἔθηκεν αὐτὸ εἰς τὸν κόλπον αὐτῆς καὶ ἐγενήθη αὐτῷ εἰς τιθηνόν.
And Naomi took the child and placed him in her bosom, and she became his nurse.
The gesture of placing the child in the bosom (εἰς τὸν κόλπον) is a formal adoption gesture in the ancient Near East, marking Naomi's claim on the child as her own. Her role as τιθηνός ('nurse/foster-mother') echoes the role the women will attribute to her in v.17. The story comes full circle: Naomi who was 'empty' (1:21) is now full.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (adoption gesture)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; the verb of taking/receiving the child echoes 4:13 (Boaz 'took' Ruth).
ΝωεμὶνNaomiNominativesubject (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Νωεμὶν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
παιδίονchildAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.παιδίον: 'child, infant' (diminutive); the newborn boy from v.13.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἔθηκενplacedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb→ constative aoristτίθημι: 'place, set, put'; the action of placing the infant in the lap/bosom is a formal adoption gesture (cf. Gen 50:23 MT).
αὐτὸhimAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal/location)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.εἰς: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
κόλπονbosomAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination of placement)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.κόλπος: 'bosom, lap, chest'; placing a child here signifies adoption/nurturing acceptance.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτῆς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐγενήθηbecameAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίγνομαιmain verb (role-transformation)→ constative aoristγίγνομαι: 'become'; ἐγενήθη αὐτῷ εἰς τιθηνόν = 'became for him a nurse/foster-mother' — same εἰς + pred. acc. construction as v.13.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage (for the child)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (predicative role; Hebraism)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.εἰς: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τιθηνόνnurseAccusativepredicate accusative after εἰς→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τιθηνός: 'nurse, foster-mother'; a woman who suckles and cares for an infant, not necessarily the biological mother.
17
καὶ ἐκάλεσαν αὐτῷ αἱ γείτονες ὄνομα λέγουσαι· Ἐτέχθη υἱὸς τῇ Νωεμίν· καὶ ἐκάλεσαν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ὠβήδ· οὗτος πατὴρ Ιεσσαι πατρὸς Δαυίδ.
And the neighbours called a name for him, saying, 'A son has been born to Naomi.' And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
The neighbours perform the naming (unusual — normally the mother or father names the child). The declaration 'a son has been born to Naomi' rather than 'to Ruth' fulfils the levirate purpose: the child is legally Naomi's continuation of the line. The sentence 'He is the father of Jesse, the father of David' is the book's climactic disclosure — the story of a Moabitess's loyalty is the beginning of the Davidic line.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐκάλεσανcalledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καλέωmain verb (naming action)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call, name'; the neighbours' role in naming is distinctive and socially significant.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage/interest (for the child)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αἱ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
γείτονεςneighboursNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.γείτων: 'neighbour'; the women of the neighbourhood are both witnesses and announcers — a communal role.
ὄνομαa nameAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὄνομα: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
λέγουσαιsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl Fem · λέγωattendant-circumstance participle (introducing quoted speech)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.λέγω: participial form contributing descriptive or attendant verbal force in this clause.
Ἐτέχθηhas been bornAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωmain verb (birth announcement)→ constative aorist passiveτίκτω: 'bear'; the passive 'a son was born' is the standard LXX birth-announcement formula.
υἱὸςa sonNominativesubject of passive verb→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.υἱὸς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
τῇtoDativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τῇ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΝωεμίνNaomiDativedative of advantage (born 'to Naomi' — her son by levirate fulfilment; indeclinable)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Νωεμίν: the child is legally attributed to Naomi's household, not merely to Ruth and Boaz — the levirate goal achieved.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐκάλεσανcalledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καλέωmain verb (formal name-giving)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / summon / invite'; the north calls Jeroboam to the formal assembly to be enthroned.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.ὄνομα: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὨβήδObedAccusativepredicate accusative (the name given; indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ὠβήδ: LXX transliteration of עוֹבֵד (ʿObēd), meaning 'servant, worshiper'; the child who perpetuates the name of the dead and becomes grandfather of David.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject — pivot to genealogical statement)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.οὗτος: 'this one'; introduces the climactic genealogical revelation.
πατὴρfatherNominativepredicate nominative (verbless clause)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πατήρ: 'father'; the genealogical link to Jesse and David.
ΙεσσαιJesseGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἰεσσαί: LXX form of יִשַׁי (Jesse), David's father; the same form used in Matt 1:5–6 and Luke 3:32.
πατρὸςfather ofGenitivegenitive in apposition (further genealogical link: Jesse = father of David)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.πατρὸς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΔαυίδDavidGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Δαυίδ: LXX form of דָּוִד; the climactic name — the whole book has been driving toward the Davidic line. Recurs in Matt 1:5–6.
18
Καὶ αὗται αἱ γενέσεις Φαρές· Φαρὲς ἐγέννησεν τὸν Εσρων,
And these are the generations of Perez: Perez begat Hezron,
The formula αὗται αἱ γενέσεις ('these are the generations of') echoes the toledoth formula of Genesis (Gen 5:1, 10:1, etc.), giving the closing genealogy a Pentateuchal frame. Perez is the starting point — the same Perez invoked in the elders' blessing at v.12, tying the blessing and the genealogy together. Each member is connected by the aorist ἐγέννησεν ('begat').
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (transitional — opens genealogical section)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
αὗταιtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of verbless clause)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αὗται: feminine plural demonstrative, agreeing with γενέσεις.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.αἱ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
γενέσειςgenerationsNominativepredicate nominative (verbless toledoth formula)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.γένεσις: 'origin, generation, genealogy'; plural αἱ γενέσεις = 'the generations/lineage of'; the toledoth formula echoing Genesis.
ΦαρέςPerezGenitivegenitive of origin (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Φαρές: the starting ancestor; named in the elders' blessing (v.12) and now heading the genealogy.
ΦαρὲςPerezNominativesubject of genealogical clause (indeclinable)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Φαρὲς: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐγέννησενbegatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical formula)→ constative aorist (single generative act)γεννάω: 'beget, father, generate'; the standard LXX genealogical verb (= Hebrew הוֹלִיד); used ten times in vv.18–22.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΕσρωνHezronAccusativedirect object (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἐσρών: LXX form of חֶצְרוֹן (Hezron); the same form in Matt 1:3 and Luke 3:33.
19
καὶ Εσρων ἐγέννησεν τὸν Αραμ, καὶ Αραμ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Αμιναδάβ,
and Hezron begat Aram, and Aram begat Aminadab,
The genealogy continues its steady paratactic rhythm. Aram (LXX form of Hebrew רָם, Ram) is the ancestor common to both Ruth's closing genealogy and the Matthaean genealogy (Matt 1:3–4). The LXX spelling Ἀμιναδάβ (for עַמִּינָדָב, Amminadab) matches Matt 1:4 exactly.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (genealogical parataxis)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΕσρωνHezronNominativesubject (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Εσρων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐγέννησενbegatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical formula)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΑραμAramAccusativedirect object (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἀράμ: LXX form of רָם (Ram); Matt 1:3–4 has Ἀράμ. Note: 1 Chr 2:9 LXX has Ἀράμ; some LXX MSS of Ruth read Ἀρράν here.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΑραμAramNominativesubject (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Αραμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐγέννησενbegatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical formula)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΑμιναδάβAminadabAccusativedirect object (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἀμιναδάβ: LXX form of עַמִּינָדָב (Amminadab); the same form reappears in Matt 1:4 and Luke 3:33.
20
καὶ Αμιναδὰβ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ναασσων, καὶ Ναασσων ἐγέννησεν τὸν Σαλμών,
and Aminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
Nahshon (LXX Ναασσών) was the leader of the tribe of Judah during the wilderness period (Num 1:7; 2:3) and the brother-in-law of Aaron — a figure of some prominence. Salmon (LXX Σαλμών) is Ruth's future father-in-law, and per Matt 1:5 the husband of Rahab — another foreign woman in the Davidic line.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΑμιναδὰβAminadabNominativesubject (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Αμιναδὰβ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐγέννησενbegatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical formula)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΝαασσωνNahshonAccusativedirect object (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ναασσών: LXX form of נַחְשׁוֹן (Nahshon); military leader of Judah in Numbers (1:7; 7:12); the same form in Matt 1:4 and Luke 3:32.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΝαασσωνNahshonNominativesubject (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ναασσων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐγέννησενbegatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical formula)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΣαλμώνSalmonAccusativedirect object (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Σαλμών: LXX form of שַׂלְמָה/שַׂלְמוֹן (Salmon/Salma); husband of Rahab according to Matt 1:5; the same form Σαλμών in Matt 1:4–5 and Luke 3:32.
21
καὶ Σαλμὼν ἐγέννησεν τὸν Βοόζ, καὶ Βοὸζ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ὠβήδ,
and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
The hero of the narrative, Boaz, now appears in his genealogical slot — subordinated to the formal list, yet identifiable by the reader. The reappearance of Ὠβήδ links the genealogy back to the naming in v.17, forming a ring. Boaz is the pivot between the tribal history (Salmon, son of the leader of Judah in the wilderness) and the coming monarchy.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΣαλμὼνSalmonNominativesubject (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Σαλμὼν: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐγέννησενbegatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical formula)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΒοόζBoazAccusativedirect object (the story's protagonist in his genealogical place)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Βοόζ: the kinsman-redeemer hero of the narrative; LXX form of בֹּעַז.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΒοὸζBoazNominativesubject→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Βοὸζ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ἐγέννησενbegatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical formula)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ὨβήδObedAccusativedirect object (indeclinable proper name — the child just named in v.17)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ὠβήδ: the child born of Boaz and Ruth, just named in v.17; his reappearance here links the narrative and the genealogical colophon.
22
καὶ Ὠβὴδ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ιεσσαι, καὶ Ιεσσαὶ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Δαυίδ.
and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
The genealogy reaches its telos: David. The final name, Δαυίδ, carries the entire theological weight of the book — the hesed of a Moabitess, the faithfulness of Boaz, the levirate obedience and the divine gift of conception all converge in the founder of Israel's royal dynasty. The same three names — Ὠβήδ, Ἰεσσαί, Δαυίδ — appeared in the narrator's aside at v.17, and all appear in Matt 1:5–6 and Luke 3:31–32, making Ruth 4:22 the direct scriptural template for both NT genealogies of Jesus.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὨβὴδObedNominativesubject (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ὠβὴδ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐγέννησενbegatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical formula)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΙεσσαιJesseAccusativedirect object (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ἰεσσαί: LXX form of יִשַׁי (Jesse), father of David; the same form in Matt 1:5–6 and Luke 3:32. In the NT genealogies this name appears as the penultimate step before the Davidic kingship.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.καὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ΙεσσαὶJesseNominativesubject (indeclinable proper name)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Ιεσσαὶ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐγέννησενbegatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical formula — final and climactic instance)→ constative aoristγεννάω: used ten times in vv.18–22; the tenth and final instance lands on David. The repeated aorists create a cumulative momentum that arrives at the name the entire book has been preparing.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.τὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this chapter.
ΔαυίδDavidAccusativedirect object (indeclinable proper name — the climactic telos of the genealogy and the book)→ The book's resolution: Boaz convenes a legal assembly at the city gate, the anonymous kinsman-redeemer yields his right by the sandal rite, Boaz publicly acquires both land and Ruth in a levirate declaration before witnesses, the people and elders pronounce a double blessing over the union, the LORD grants conception and Ruth bears a son whom the neighbourhood women name Obed — and the closing genealogy, echoing the toledoth formula of Genesis, traces the line from Perez through ten generations to David, revealing that the hesed of a Moabitess and the faithfulness of Boaz lie at the root of Israel's royal house.Δαυίδ: the name that closes the book and opens the horizon of messianic expectation. The LXX form Δαυίδ is reproduced verbatim in Matt 1:1, 6 and Luke 3:31, making Ruth 4:22 the explicit textual ancestor of both NT genealogies.