SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:4

Paragraph 2:4–7

2:4a

Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Just then functions to draw attention to someone or something significant in the narrative. Here it probably highlights the seeming coincidence of Boaz’s arrival. In verse 3, we learned that Ruth, by chance, went to glean at a field owned by Boaz. Now Boaz happened to arrive in person at the same time that Ruth was there. If you have a word that functions as an attention-getter, consider using it here.

Here are some ways to draw attention to this event or to the person Boaz:

Now behold (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Boaz, as it happened,… (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
and there was Boaz himself (Revised English Bible)

Apparently Boaz was coming from his home in the village to the field to check on his workers. He probably arrived a few hours after Ruth’s arrival at the field. We know from what the foreman says in verse 7 that Ruth had already worked “from morning until now.” And Boaz’s arrival was before the noon meal mentioned in verse 14.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Some time later Boaz himself arrived from Bethlehem (Good News Translation)
-or-
While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Soon Boaz came from Bethlehem (New Century Version)

and said to the harvesters:

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

he said to the harvest workers (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and greeted his workers (New Century Version)

2:4b

The LORD be with you: This is a greeting that is in the form of a blessing or short prayer. Boaz greeted his workers by expressing his desire that the LORD would be present with them.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

May the LORD be with all of you! (God’s Word)
-or-
Yahweh be with you! (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I pray that the Lord will help you (Easy English Bible)

2:4c

The LORD bless you: The workers responded by asking the LORD to bless or “do good actions” to benefit Boaz.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

May the LORD bless you! (God’s Word)
-or-
Yahweh bless you! (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
We pray that Yahweh will reward you
-or-
We ask that Yahweh give you success

they replied: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as replied is the general verb meaning “to say.” The Berean Standard Bible has chosen the English verb replied because they responded to Boaz’s greeting with a greeting for him.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

they called back (New International Version (1984))
-or-
they answered (New International Version)
-or-
they greeted him in return

Notice that the Berean Standard Bible has placed the phrase they replied at the end of the verse. In Hebrew, these words occur at the beginning. You should place them wherever it would be natural in your language.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:13

3:13a

Stay here tonight: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Stay here means “lodge” or “stay.” It is the same word that Ruth used in 1:16 to tell Naomi, “where you stay I will stay.” It does not imply that Boaz suggested that Ruth have sexual relations with him.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Stay here the rest of the night (Good News Translation)
-or-
Remain here tonight (NET Bible)

3:13b-c

and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, good. Let him redeem you. But if he does not want to redeem you, as surely as the LORD lives, I will. Now lie here until morning: These two “if/then” statements tell two possible results of Boaz talking to the closer relative (which is implied). It lists the possible results and their consequences one at a time. Some translations list both possibilities first and then the consequence of each. For example:

and in the morning we will see if he will take care of you. If he decides to take care of you, that is fine. But if he refuses, I will take care of you myself, as surely as the LORD lives. (New Century Version)
-or-
until morning, then I will find out if he is willing to look after you. If he isn’t, I promise by the living God to do it myself. (Contemporary English Version)

Arrange these clauses in a way that is natural and clear in your language.

3:13b

and in the morning: It is implied that Boaz would do something in the morning. Some versions make this explicit. For example:

Tomorrow morning, I will tell this man about you. (Translation for Translators)
-or-
and in the morning I will talk to him (New Living Translation (2004))

if he wants to redeem you, good: This clause is the if clause of the first of two conditional statements. The first possibility is that the closer relative will care for Naomi and Ruth and marry Ruth. Because this man was a closer relative of Elimelech than Boaz, he had the right to choose first whether or not he would do that.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

If he is willing to do his duty and help you, that is good.
-or-
if he will agree to take care of you, that is good (God’s Word)
-or-
If he says that he will marry you and take care of you, fine (Translation for Translators)

he: This pronoun refers to the closer relative. He is never named, so if simple pronouns are not clear, you may need identify him more explicitly. For example:

the closer relative

wants to redeem you: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wants to redeem you is based on the same root as “kinsman-redeemer” in 3:12a. See how you translated this term there. Also see the examples above in 3:13b.

good: This word is a comment on the first possible result. Boaz realized that if the other man would properly care for Ruth’s and Naomi’s needs, it would be good.

Let him redeem you: This clause is the “then” clause of the first conditional statement. If the other man wanted to fulfill this responsibility toward Ruth and Naomi, he should do so. It was his right.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

He can take care of you. (God’s Word)
-or-
Let him marry you. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Let him help you. (New International Reader’s Version)

3:13c

But if he does not want to: This clause tells the other possible result of Boaz’s talk with the closer relative. This “if” clause is the opposite of the one in 3:13b.

The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But if he does not want to is more literally “But if he is not pleased to redeem you.” The Berean Standard Bible leaves the last words implicit. You may need to make them explicit in your translation.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

But if he does not wish to do so (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
If he refuses to help (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
But if he does not wish to take care of you (God’s Word)

as surely as the LORD lives: This was a common oath or promise. It meant that it is absolutely true that the LORD lives. In the same way, it was just as certain that the person would keep his promise.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I promise, as surely as the Lord lives (NET Bible)
-or-
I solemnly promise that as surely as Yahweh lives (Translation for Translators)
-or-
You can be sure that the Lord lives. And you can be just as sure that (New International Reader’s Version)

I will: The Hebrew uses an emphatic pronoun I here. Boaz was emphasizing to Ruth that he himself would redeem her if the other man chose not to do so.

In some languages, you may want to make explicit what Boaz will do.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I promise…to marry you (NET Bible)
-or-
I promise…to do it myself (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I will take care of you myself (New Century Version)

3:13d

Now lie here until morning: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as morning is the same general word that was used in 3:13b. However, here it probably refers to sunrise.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Lie down here until morning. (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
Now lie down and stay here till morning. (Good News Translation)

Paragraph 3:14–15

This paragraph says that Ruth spent the rest of the night at Boaz’s feet. Then it describes what they did when they first woke up.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:5

1:5a

both Mahlon and Chilion also died: This clause tells what happened after the ten years that are described in the previous clause. Both of Naomi’s sons died. The word also refers back to the death of Elimelech. It may give attention to the fact that all of Naomi’s male family members were gone. She not only lost her husband, but also her sons.

Here is another way to translate this verse part:

Then Naomi’s two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, also died.

1:5b

and Naomi: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and Naomi is literally “and the woman.” The Hebrew phrase does not make explicit Naomi’s name. It is the same pattern as the summary introduction in 1:1, in which Elimelech and his family members are not named. For that reason, 1:5b may be a summary closing to this section. Some versions translate this phrase literally. For example:

so the woman (NET Bible)

Translate this phrase in a natural way in your language.

Here are some ways to indicate the connection of 1:5b to the previous clause. Either of these options is acceptable:

• Indicate that this clause talks about the result of the death of her sons. For example:

so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband (English Standard Version)

• Indicate that this clause talks about the next situation in the story. For example:

and Naomi was left all alone, without husband or sons (Good News Translation)

was left without: The Hebrew expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as left without is literally “and she was left the woman from.” The verb translated as left is the same as in 1:3b. See how you translated it there.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

Then Naomi, bereaved of her two sons as well as of her husband. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
and the woman was left with neither (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

Now Naomi had no husband or sons. (Contemporary English Version)

her two sons and without her husband: The sons are mentioned first in this phrase. A reason may be to give attention to Naomi’s loss. However, in some languages, it may be more natural to translate this phrase in a different order, since her husband died first, then her sons. For example:

and Naomi was left all alone, without husband or sons. (Good News Translation)

The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as her two sons is literally “both her children.” The Hebrew word “children” normally refers to young children, not grown sons.

Here are two possible explanations why the Hebrew word for “children” is used here:

• It expresses the deep pain that Naomi felt.

• It forms a pair with Ruth 4:16, which has the same word.

Consider translating this phrase as “both her children” if in your language it is a natural way to refer to grown sons that expresses Naomi’s extreme grief.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:15

2:15a

When Ruth got up to glean, Boaz ordered his young men: The Hebrew is not clear about the order in which these two events happened. It literally says, “And she got up to glean and Boaz commanded his men.” Most English translations other than the Berean Standard Bible are ambiguous about the time sequence. It is better to assume that Ruth got up while the others were still eating and then Boaz spoke to his men about her. Boaz probably would not talk to his men about her while she was still close by.

Here is a way to express the probable time sequence:

After she had left to go and gather grain, Boaz ordered the workers (Good News Translation)

his young men: This phrase refers to Boaz’s field workers.

2:15b

Even if she gathers among the sheaves: This clause implies that Boaz wanted Ruth to be able to gather grain among the sheaves. In many languages, it may be best to translate this as a command directed to the harvest workers. For example:

Allow/Permit her to glean among the sheaves
-or-
Let her gather even among the piles of cut grain. (New Century Version)

the sheaves: The sheaves were bundles of cut grain. Normally gleaners would only pick up grain in the part of the field that the workers had finished clearing. They would not pick up grain right near the sheaves.

2:15c

do not insult her: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as insult means “humiliate.” In this context, it probably refers to a verbal rebuke that would humiliate someone.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

do not reproach her (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
don’t embarrass her (New International Version (1984))
-or-
do not make her feel bad
-or-
don’t say anything to stop her (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:6

4:6a

The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself: This verse introduces the response of the other kinsman-redeemer. The man answered without hesitating.

Here are some other ways to translate his response:

“Then I cannot act,” said the next-of-kin (Revised English Bible)
-or-
The man with the right of redemption then said, “I cannot use my right of redemption (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
The man answered, “In that case I will give up my right to buy the field (Good News Translation)

4:6b

or I would jeopardize my own inheritance: The man’s desire was that his own inheritance would belong to his own son or children after he died. If he bought the land from Naomi and married Ruth, he would have to pay for that land. Also, when a son was born to Ruth, that son would be considered a descendant of Elimelech and Mahlon, and would inherit that land.

jeopardize: He would jeopardize his own inheritance, because his own sons would have to share it with Ruth’s son. They would thus have a smaller share.

inheritance: This refers to the land, buildings, and possessions the man hoped to leave to his own sons when he died.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

without damaging my own inheritance (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
If I did, I might harm what I can pass on to my own sons. (New Century Version)

4:6c

Take my right of redemption: The man gave the right of redemption to Boaz. In many languages, it would not be polite for a man to give a command in this situation.

Here are some other ways to translate the command:

You may take over my responsibility/right to redeem it.
-or-
You are free/welcome to buy it back yourself.

because I cannot redeem it: The man felt that he was not able to redeem Elimelech’s property without risking some loss to his own wealth, as explained above. He repeated this at the end of his speech to Boaz for emphasis.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:16

Paragraph 1:16–18

Ruth’s answer in verses 16–17 is in the form of parallel lines. Poetry in Hebrew consists of parallel lines. In these verses, the same meaning is stated twice in a similar way. It is recommended that you keep the form of the lines parallel if it is possible.

1:16a

But Ruth replied: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces a contrast between what Naomi said and Ruth’s reply.

Do not urge me to leave you: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as urge means “to request something strongly.” Naomi had been asking Ruth to go home for quite some time.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Don’t plead with me to abandon you (CSB)
-or-
Do not keep begging me to leave you.

or to turn from following you: The clause turn from following you indicates leaving Naomi and returning to Moab. Here is another way to translate this clause:

Don’t tell me to go back to Moab.

The clause turn from following you means the same as the clause “Don’t urge me to leave you.” Ruth said the same thing in two different ways for emphasis.

Here are some other ways to translate these two clauses:

Don’t force me to leave you. Don’t make me turn back from following you. (God’s Word)
-or-
Don’t ask me to leave you! Let me go with you! (Good News Translation)
-or-
Stop urging me to abandon you! (NET Bible)

1:16b

For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For can also be translated as “because.” Ruth made it clear that she intended to go anywhere that Naomi went.

Here is another way to translate this Hebrew conjunction:

For where you go I will go (English Standard Version)

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay; (New International Version)
-or-
Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you sleep, I will sleep. (English Easy-to-Read Version)

1:16c

your people will be my people, and your God will be my God: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as people was used in verses 10 and 15. This Hebrew word could mean “her family,” “her clan,” or “her nation.” You should translate this word the same way in all three places.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Your relatives will be my relatives, and the God you worship will be the God I worship (Translation for Translators)
-or-
Your clan will be my clan. I will obey the same God that you obey.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:3

3:3a

Therefore: In Hebrew, this sentence starts with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore. It begins a series of instructions from Naomi to Ruth. So far, Naomi’s speech to Ruth which began in 3:1b has been describing a situation. Here in 3:3a she switched to giving instructions.

Here are some ways to introduce the series of instructions:

So… (NET Bible)
-or-
Now do as I tell you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Therefore I want you to…
-or-
You should… (CEB)

Consider the way that your language naturally switches from describing the important facts about a situation to giving instructions.

wash yourself, put on perfume: Naomi told Ruth to wash yourself, which means to bathe. The verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as put on perfume means to “anoint” or “apply oils or perfumes to the body.” Perfumed oil was a luxury item. Poor people would have used it only on special occasions.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

So bathe yourself, rub on some perfumed oil (NET Bible)
-or-
take a bath and put on perfume (New Living Translation (2004))

and wear your best clothes: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and wear your best clothes is literally “and you will put your clothing on yourself.” There is no Hebrew word that means best here, but many translations supply a description of the clothes as “best,” “nice,” or “good,” because it fits the context.

clothes: There is a textual issue here:

(1) In some Hebrew manuscripts the word for clothes is plural and refers to clothing in general. For example:

and put on your best clothes (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) In other Hebrew manuscripts and in the LXX, the word for clothes is singular, referring specifically to a “cloak,” “robe,” or “outer garment.” For example:

and put on your cloak (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. Also, it has strong manuscript support.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and dress in your nicest clothes (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and get dressed up (NET Bible)
-or-
dress up (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

3:3b

Go down to the threshing floor: Bethlehem was built on a hill that is higher than the surrounding land. A person would need to Go down to get to any place nearby. Threshing floors were also located on the tops or ridges of hills in order to catch good wind for blowing away the chaff. The threshing floor where Boaz worked was probably on the top of a lower hill close to Bethlehem.

In some languages, it may not be natural to say “go down” if a person goes slightly downhill. If that is true in your language, see the last three examples below.

Then go down ⌊the hill⌋ to the threshing place
-or-
After that, go over to the place where they crush/thresh the grain
-or-
Then go to the threshing floor (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

Go where he is working (Contemporary English Version)

3:3c

but: The instructions in 3:3a-b have all been positive commands (“wash…put on…wear…Go down…”). Here in 3:3c, she gave a negative command, telling Ruth what not to do. The Hebrew text does not use any conjunction here. In many languages, it will be natural to use a conjunction that indicates contrast. For example:

However,
-or-
But be careful…
-or-
But make sure…

do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking: Naomi told Ruth to remain out of Boaz’s sight until he had finished eating and had gone to sleep.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Do not let him recognize you while he is still eating and drinking
-or-
but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
but don’t let him recognize you. Once he’s finished eating and drinking,… (FBV)

In some languages, it may be more natural to use a positive command here rather than a negative one. For example:

But keep yourself out of his sight while…
-or-
But stay hidden until…

the man: There are three ways to translate this phrase:

• Translate it literally as the man, as in the Berean Standard Bible.

• Use the pronoun “him.”

• Refer to him by his name “Boaz.”

eating and drinking: The phrase eating and drinking is a Hebrew idiom that means “having a meal.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:17

4:17a

The neighbor women: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The neighbor women is a word that literally means “female inhabitants.” It refers to the women who lived in Bethlehem.

said: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as said is literally “called him a name, saying….” The words “they called him a name” is a Hebrew idiom that means “they named him” or “they gave him a name.” The Hebrew text of 4:17c repeats the phrase “they called him a name.” For example:

And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying… (Revised Standard Version)

If repeating the phrase in 4:17a and 4:17c would be unnatural in your language, you may follow the Berean Standard Bible and omit it in 4:17a.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The neighbor women named him, saying, (NET Bible)
-or-
and the women neighbors gave him a name, saying, (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
The women living there said, (New International Reader’s Version)

4:17b

A son has been born to Naomi: The women meant that Naomi would help Ruth take care of the baby. Also, they thought about this child becoming a replacement for Naomi’s own sons. He would be the heir of the family property.

In Hebrew, as in many other languages, the word for “son” can also refer to a grandson. In other languages, it would be confusing, or impossible, to call Ruth’s baby Naomi’s son. In these languages, it may be necessary to use a word meaning “grandson.” Or you could use a simile and say, “The baby is like a son to Naomi.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

A grandson has been born to Naomi
-or-
Ruth has given birth to a baby boy. He will be like a son to Naomi

4:17c

and they named him Obed: The women gave the baby a name that means “servant.”

Here is another way to translate this clause:

They gave the baby the name Obed.

4:17d

He became the father of Jesse, the father of David: In the lists of names of family descendants (as in the list given at the end of this story), father of can sometimes mean “ancestor of.” In this verse, however, father does refer to the man’s immediate parent.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David. (New Century Version)
-or-
He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
When Obed grew up he had a son named Jesse, who later became the father of King David. (Contemporary English Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:17

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