The verb translated exclaimed (literally “said”) introduces an emphatic statement and in some languages may be appropriately translated as TEV has done (see also New American Bible) or, as in some languages, “Naomi said strongly to her.”
May the LORD bless Boaz involves a Hebrew construction which is literally “blessed be he with reference to the LORD”, but the preposition refers clearly to the LORD as the author of the action. See Joüon, par. 132-133; Brockelmann, Hebräische Syntax, par. 107. Such a passive expression, however, is extremely difficult in many languages, and therefore one must use an active form; for example, “May the LORD, who always keeps his promises to the living and the dead, bless him.” In other instances it may be necessary to introduce this expression by a verb marking direct discourse; for example, “I pray that the LORD may bless….”
The relative pronoun in the Hebrew, “who,” can be related to the grammatical subject of the preceding verb, that is “he” = “Boaz,” or to the complement of the agent, “the LORD.” The majority of commentators and translators choose the second interpretation (“the LORD”), but a significant minority present solid arguments for the first interpretation (“Boaz”). Both are acceptable; what is important for the translator is to leave no ambiguity in the receptor language. We suggest that the translator give one interpretation in the text and the other as a variant in a footnote (a variant suggested for Good News Translation is “May he be blessed by the LORD, … for he has always kept his promises…”). In the Septuagint the relative clause may refer back to Boaz or to the LORD. One manuscript de Rossi and the Syriac and Old Latin versions read: “Blessed be the Lord.” Very probably the rare meaning of the preposition le was no longer understood, or both of the existing formulae “Blessed be he by the LORD” and “Blessed be the LORD” were confused. For further reference, see Rebera, “Yahweh or Boaz? Ruth 2.20 reconsidered,” The Bible Translator 36 (1985):317-327.
The term translated promises is rendered in some translations as “kindness” (Revised Standard Version) and in others as “mercy” (cf. New American Bible). The focus here, however, is upon “loyalty” (cf. New English Bible “keep faith with”). One may translate: “The LORD is always loyal to the living and to the dead” or “The LORD continues to be loyal to those who are living and to those who have died.” In many languages, however, the expression of keeps his promises is a very effective rendering, since this clearly specifies the way in which God continues to be loyal. Keeps his promises may be rendered as “does what he has promised he will do,” “helps them even as he said he would help them,” or “is good to them just as he said he would always be good to them.”
And she went on may be translated as “And she also said to Ruth” or “And in addition she said.”
In some languages That man must be rendered as “Boaz,” since it is a specific reference, and therefore the proper name (which has already been mentioned in verse 19) must be employed.
A close relative of ours is rendered in a number of different ways in different receptor languages; for example, “this man is one of our brothers,” “this man belongs to our clan,” “this man is like one of our family,” or “this man is one of our large family” (in which “large family” is a reference to the extended family in contrast with the immediate family).
The Hebrew term translated one of those responsible for taking care of us is a highly technical one which could be literally translated as “one of our redeemers” or “one of those who has the right of redemption over us.” Hebrew has a plural suffixed form of the participle. See H. Bauer and P. Leander, Historische Grammatik der hebräischen Sprache, 1922, par. 252. Such a person was a relative who was obliged to protect the interests of the family and clan. This involved the individual’s freedom, his goods, and his posterity. One of the duties of such a “redeemer” was to produce an heir to one who had died. Another obligation involved buying property that was in danger of being lost to the family by being sold outside the family group. As is clear in chapter 4, both of these duties play an important role in the story of Ruth, and the same term occurs in 3.9-12 and 4.1, 3, 6, 8, 14. Various aspects of the duties involved will be pointed out in the comments on these verses. For more recent literature we refer especially to J. J. Stamm, Erlösen und Vergeben im Alten Testament, 1940, pages 27 ff.; A. R. Johnson, “The primary meaning of gaʾal,” V. T. Suppl. I (1953), pages 67 ff.; and A. Jepsen, “Die Begriffe des Erlösens im Alten Testament” (in Festgabe für Rudolf Hermann z. 70. Geburtstag: “So lange es ‘huete’ heißt”), 1957, pages 153-163.
In most receptor languages it is necessary to employ some type of descriptive phrase which will identify not only the relationship of a person to a particular family or clan, but also something of his obligations. Accordingly, Good News Translation employs the translation a close relative of ours, one of those responsible for taking care of us. An equivalent descriptive phrase might also be “he is one of those who can help us as a relative” or “he is one of those who can provide for us as one does for members of a family.” Where levirate marriage is well known in a society and where there are other similar responsibilities and obligations involved, one may even employ a translation such as “he is one of those who can take us as widows.” Such an expression could be classified as a fully dynamic equivalent and one which would be in keeping with this context.
In some languages, however, it is not easy to speak of “responsibility.” One of those responsible for taking care of us may need to be rendered as “one of those who must take care of us,” “one of those who our customs say must take care of us,” or “one who must take care of us because he is related to us.”
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 .