3:12a
Boaz continued to speak to Ruth. He began to explain that there was another closer relative who could be the guardian-redeemer.
Yes, it is true: The Hebrew adverb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as it is true means “indeed” or “no doubt.” Boaz acknowledged that Ruth was correct.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
But now, though it is true (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Yes, it is true…but (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Even though it is true that
that I am a kinsman-redeemer: See how you translated this term in 3:9d.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
It is true that I am a close relative of yours (God’s Word)
-or-
It is true that I am a close relative and am responsible for you (Good News Translation)
-or-
Although it is true that I am a close relative and have a duty to help/protect the family
-or-
Although I am indeed a relative who has the duty to take care of you
3:12b
but there is a redeemer nearer than I: Boaz told Ruth that there was one other man who was related more closely to Elimelech than he was. That man had to decide if he wanted to act as kinsman-redeemer before Boaz could legally do that.
It appears that the nearest male relative was expected to act as the kinsman-redeemer. However, if the nearest male relative could not or would not redeem (buy back) property for his relative, then another close relative would sometimes take that responsibility.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
but there is someone who is an even closer relative (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am (New Living Translation (2004))
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