The introductory particle translated So may be rendered in some languages as “Accordingly.” The action in verse 8 illustrates exactly the custom described in verse 7. The relation between the two verses may be indicated by “in accordance with this” or “just like that.”

The imperative expression You buy it may be more appropriately expressed as permission in some languages; for example, “You may buy it yourself,” “It is now your privilege to buy it,” “It is now your responsibility to buy it,” or “It is now up to you to buy it.”

The final phrase of verse 8, and gave it to Boaz, does not occur in the Hebrew text, but it is attested by some early translations. So Septuagint and Arabic version. This phrase may reflect the wording of a similar expression in verse 7, So Dhorme, op. cit., ad loc. but it may also indicate that an original Hebrew phrase has been lost. This seems to be Haller’s opinion. Regardless of what may or may not have been the original Hebrew text, in some languages the narrative style requires such an addition. One may also wish to add at this point a marginal note to indicate that this phrase occurs in all Greek manuscripts but is lacking in the Hebrew text. Apart from TEV, no modern translation consulted has this reading.

Quoted with permission from de Waard, Jan and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Ruth. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1978, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .