SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024 – Page 2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:21

1:21a

I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty: The words full and empty are a figure of speech. Naomi was full when she left Bethlehem in the sense that she had a husband and two sons. When she returned to Bethlehem, she was empty because they were dead. In some languages, it will not be possible to use the words full and empty in this way.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

When I left, I had all I wanted, but now, the Lord has brought me home with nothing. (New Century Version)
-or-
I left here with everything that I needed. Now the Lord has brought me back here with nothing. (Easy English Bible)

1:21b

Why call me Naomi?: This is a rhetorical question. It functions as a rebuke. Naomi had already said in 1:20a that the name Naomi did not fit her current bitter situation.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

There is no reason to call me Naomi.
-or-
Do not call me Naomi any more.

1:21c

the LORD has testified against me: There is a textual issue with the Hebrew verb phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as testified against me :

(1) The Masoretic Text says Yahweh has testified against me. It means “to testify against,” as in a court case. For example:

the Lord has testified against me (English Standard Version)

the Lord has spoken against me (New Century Version)

(2) The Septuagint says Yahweh has afflicted me. For example:

the Lord has dealt harshly with me (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with many versions and commentaries. It is also recommended by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

The Lord Almighty has condemned me (Good News Translation)
-or-
The Almighty Lord has turned against me (Easy English Bible)
-or-
the Lord has opposed me (CSB)

1:21d

the Almighty has afflicted me: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as afflicted can also be translated as “cause suffering,” “cause evil,” or “cause trouble.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

has caused me to suffer (NET Bible)
-or-
and made my life so hard (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
has given much trouble to me (English Easy-to-Read Version)

the Almighty: The term the Almighty is the same name for God that Naomi used in 1:20b. You should translate it the same way in both places.

© 2024 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:8

3:8a

In Hebrew, this sentence begins with a word that means “And it happened” or “And it was.” The conversation between Ruth and Boaz that begins in the next verse (3:9–15) is the main event or climax of this part of the book of Ruth. This word introduces the dramatic event that leads up to this climax.

Here are some ways to begin this sentence:

Suddenly (Living Bible)
-or-
Just then
-or-
Now it happened…that (New King James Version)

The Berean Standard Bible and most English versions do not translate this word here. But you should consider how your language naturally leads up to the main event or climax of a story.

At midnight: This phrase refers to an approximate time around midnight. The Hebrew language and culture did not divide the night hours into exact units.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Around midnight (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
In the middle of the night (New International Version)
-or-
During the night (Good News Translation)

Boaz was startled: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Boaz was startled is literally “the man trembled.” The verb that means “tremble” usually refers to shaking from fear. The text does not say what made Boaz “tremble,” but the most likely reason was the cold air on his feet. And this is exactly what Naomi had planned.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he woke up suddenly (Good News Translation)
-or-
the man was shivering (God’s Word)
-or-
the man was startled (English Standard Version)
-or-
Boaz suddenly woke up (New Living Translation (1996))

If the options in your language for translating “trembled” force you to be specific about why Boaz trembled, it should be from the cold rather than from fear.

Boaz: As in 3:3c, you may translate this phrase literally as “the man,” use the pronoun “he,” or refer to Boaz by name.

turned over: The word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as turned over is rare in the OT, so scholars are not sure what it means. There are four ways to interpret this word:

(1) It means he turned or rolled over. For example:

and turned over (English Standard Version)
-or-
and he rolled over (New Century Version)

(2) It means he groped around (for his covers). For example:

groped about (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

reached out

(New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(3) It means he looked all around. For example:

looked about him (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible)

(4) It means he sat up or bent forward. For example:

bent forward (New American Standard Bible)

(New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions.

3:8b

and there lying at his feet was a woman!: The author of Ruth used dramatic language in this clause to help the reader to experience how surprising it was for Boaz to find a woman lying at his feet. In Hebrew, this clause begins with a phrase that means “and behold.” The Berean Standard Bible does not use words to translate this phrase, but the exclamation mark (!) at the end of the sentence helps to match this dramatic and lively Hebrew expression.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and Look! A woman lying at his feet!
-or-
and was shocked to see a woman lying at his feet (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he discovered there was a woman lying at his feet (The Voice)
-or-
he saw a woman who was lying there at his feet (Easy English Bible)

Translate this clause in a way that will help your readers to understand how very surprised Boaz must have felt by what he found.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:22

4:22

Obed was the father of Jesse: Jesse is mentioned quite a few times in the Scriptures, primarily in connection with his famous son, David.

and Jesse was the father of David: The book of Ruth ends with the name of David. He was Israel’s most famous king and an ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ. If your readers do not know that David was a king of Israel, it may be helpful to supply that information, either in the text or a footnote. Then your readers will understand why this genealogy is important and how Ruth was part of it.

Jesse’s son was the father of King David. (Translation for Translators)
-or-
King David was Jesse’s son.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:10

2:10a

At this: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as At this indicates that Ruth’s actions and words are the results of what Boaz said in 2:8–9. Some languages may not need a conjunction to connect these verses because the relationship between them will seem obvious. In other languages, it may be natural to use a conjunction such as “So” or “Then.”

she fell on her face, bowing low to the ground: Ruth probably knelt down, then bowed forward until her forehead touched the ground. She was doing this to show respect and gratefulness. If Ruth’s purpose for bowing like this is not clear, you may need to supply some information.

Here are some ways to make the purpose clear:

she ⌊humbly⌋ bowed down to the ground

2:10b

and said to him: Ruth asked a question in response to what Boaz had said to her. Use a word that is natural for this in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

She asked him
-or-
She replied

Why have I found such favor in your eyes: The Hebrew phrase that means “to find favor in [someone’s] eyes” is an idiom that means “to receive approval, favor, or goodwill from a person.” This favor would normally be expressed in kind acts toward the person receiving approval. See how you translated the similar phrase in 2:2b.

Ruth was asking Boaz to tell her the reason why he would be so kind to her. This was a real, and not a rhetorical, question. That is shown by the fact that Boaz answered it.

Here are some other ways to translate this question:

Why are you so kind as to take notice of me (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Why are you so kind and attentive to me (NET Bible)
-or-
What have I done to deserve such kindness (New Living Translation (2004))

that you should take notice of me, even though I am a foreigner: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as take notice of means “give attention to” or “to regard with care/concern.” Ruth was amazed that Boaz was treating her so kindly, even though she was foreigner from Moab.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

when I am just a foreigner (Revised English Bible)
-or-
since I am a foreigner (English Standard Version)
-or-
I am not an Israelite. (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:1

Section 4:1–12

Boaz assumed responsibility for Ruth

In this final chapter of the book, Ruth received the reward for her loyalty to Naomi.

Boaz is in focus in the first twelve verses. He met with the other close relative in the presence of many witnesses to discuss the entire situation. The other relative did not want to buy Elimelech’s property that Naomi was selling, if the arrangement also meant that he had to marry Ruth. So Boaz said that he would act as the redeemer himself.

In section 4:13–17, Boaz and Ruth were married, and the LORD soon gave them a son. The women in Bethlehem named the son Obed and rejoiced that Naomi now had a “son” to carry on her family line and care for her in her old age. So both Naomi and Ruth were going to be cared for, and the women went from “emptiness” to “fullness.”

Section 4:18–22 concludes the book with a genealogy that lists of the family line of Perez, who was a son of Judah and grandson of Jacob (who is also called Israel). The family line is listed from Perez through Obed to King David.

Here are some other examples of section headings for 4:1–12:

Boaz Redeems Ruth (English Standard Version)
-or-
Boaz Settles the Matter (NET Bible)

Structure:

Some commentaries divide this section into four scenes:

(1) 4:1–2 Introduction: Boaz Convenes a Legal Assembly

(2) 4:3–8 Boaz Obtains the Rights of Redemption

(3) 4:9–10 Boaz Formalizes the Agreement

(4) 4:11–12 Witnessing and Blessing

One commentary divides this section into three scenes.

(1) 4:1–2 setting the stage for the legal drama

(2) 4:3–8 report of the legal drama

(3) 4:9–12 significance of legal drama

You may divide the paragraphs in these scenes in whatever way best fits the structure of your language.

Paragraph 4:1–2

This paragraph describes how Boaz convened a legal assembly at the town gate prior to the actual legal proceedings.

4:1a

Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate: The Hebrew conjunction that connects this to the previous verse does not indicate when this action took place in relation to the events that occurred at the end of chapter 3. The Berean Standard Bible uses Meanwhile to begin the sentence, since it seems quite probable that Boaz went up to the gate area of the city and sat down there to wait during the same time that Ruth was returning home to Naomi and talking with her (3:16–18).

Here is another way to translate Meanwhile :

Before the close relative arrived

to the gate: Here the phrase to the gate is probably an idiom that means “went to court.” At that time it was normal for the town meeting place to be just inside the town gate. That is where Boaz went. He did not go to the gate itself.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Boaz went to the meeting place at the town gate (Good News Translation)
-or-
Boaz went to the place where leaders met to decide important things/cases

If people in your culture are not familiar with towns that have walls and gates, it may be necessary to explain in a footnote that towns had walls and gates in OT times.

and sat down there: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sat down is the same verb translated as “wait” in 3:18a. Boaz may have expected that he would have to wait for a while. Apparently, the relative he wanted to see was not there when he arrived. So he sat down to wait for him.

4:1b

In Hebrew, this part of the verse includes the word hinneh, which is often translated as “Behold” or “Look.” See how you translated it in 3:8b.

This word calls the readers’ attention to what happened. Use whatever special words, word order, or other method your language uses to focus attention on someone or some event.

Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along: This refers to the man whom Boaz had mentioned to Ruth. This man had the right and duty to redeem Naomi’s land and to marry Ruth. Here are some other ways to translate kinsman-redeemer :

nearest relative (Good News Translation)
-or-
the one who was responsible to care for the family
-or-
the relative with the duty to help the family

See how your translated “kinsman-redeemer” in 2:20c and 3:9d.

came along: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as came along indicates that the man was in the process of “passing by” or “going through” the gate area when Boaz saw him.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

was passing by (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
came past (Revised English Bible)

4:1c

and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.”: Boaz called out to the man and asked him to Come over to where Boaz was sitting. The man was apparently going somewhere else, but Boaz asked him to stop and take care of this business first.

my friend: Boaz was looking for this particular man, and he certainly knew his name. But the author of the book of Ruth did not know the name or did not wish to provide it.

There are two ways to translate what Boaz said:

• Use a direct quotation, but leave the form of address general. For example:

“My friend/brother, come over here…

• Use an indirect quotation. For example:

Boaz invited the man to come over.

4:1d

So: The same Hebrew conjunction that was used in 4:1a, in this verse part indicates result. The other relative came over to Boaz, because Boaz had called him.

he went over and sat down: The important status that Boaz had in the community is clearly seen here and in 4:2b. When Boaz asked the relative and the elders of the town to do something, they promptly did exactly what he asked.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

So the man came over and sat down. (God’s Word)
-or-
So Boaz invited him to come over and sit down, and he did. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:11

Paragraph 1:11–15

1:11a

But Naomi replied: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces the next event in the story. Naomi’s answer contrasted with how her daughters-in-law had replied to her. Some English versions do not translate this word.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Naomi replied (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

-or

Naomi answered (Good News Translation)
-or-
Then Naomi said

Return home, my daughters: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Return home is more literally “return” or “go back.” Naomi thought it would be best for Ruth and Orpah to return to their own homes in Moab rather than to travel with her to Israel.

my daughters: Naomi called her two daughters-in-law my daughters when she spoke to them. This showed her affection for them. In some languages, it may not be possible to use the term daughters for daughters-in-law.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Turn back, my daughters-in-law.
-or-
Go back to your homes, dear daughters-in-law.

1:11b

Why would you go with me?: This is a rhetorical question. It functions as a rebuke. Naomi meant that there was no reason for the women to go with her. In fact, it would be foolish for them to return with her. Their lives would be better in their own country.

There are two ways to translate this rebuke.

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Why should you go on with me? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
What good will it do you to go with me? (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a statement. For example:

There is no reason for you to return to Judah with me. (NET Bible)
-or-
You should return to your own country. You should not choose to return to Judah with me (Easy English Bible)

1:11c

Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands?: This is another rhetorical question. The implied answer is “no.” Naomi meant that she was too old to have any more children. She could not provide more sons who would become husbands for Ruth or Orpah.

There are two ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Am I likely to bear any more sons to become husbands for you? (Revised English Bible)

• Use a statement. For example:

I am no longer capable of giving birth to sons who might become your husbands! (NET Bible)

I cannot give birth to more sons to give you new husbands (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:21

2:21a

Then Ruth the Moabitess said: In many languages, it may be more natural to simply say Ruth rather than repeating the phrase Ruth the Moabitess. However, it is recommended that you repeat the information that Ruth was a woman from Moab. It is probable that the author wished to emphasize this at this point in the narrative.

He also told me: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as also :

(1) It adds force or emphasis, so it intensifies what follows. For example:

and what is more he said to me (Revised English Bible)

(2) It means “also,” so it introduces something additional that Boaz had said. For example:

He also said to me (God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

2:21b

Stay with my young men: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Stay with means “keep close to.” In this context, Boaz was telling Ruth to remain near his own workers while they were in the field.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

You may go along beside my servants (NET Bible)
-or-
Keep close to my workers (New Century Version)

my young men: This is a masculine plural noun. In this context, it probably refers to both the men and the women who were working in Boaz’s fields. Ruth was reporting what Boaz had said in 2:8c, where Boaz told Ruth to remain close to “my servant girls.”

until they have finished gathering all my harvest: Boaz was referring to both the barley and the wheat harvests, as mentioned in 2:23b.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

until they have finished my whole harvest (New Century Version)
-or-
until the entire harvest is completed (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 2:21a-b

2:21b is an embedded quotation. It gives Ruth’s report of what Boaz had said. In some languages, it is not possible to have a direct quotation of a quotation. It may be necessary or more natural to report Boaz’s words using indirect speech. For example:

Then Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also told me to stay close to his workers until they finish harvesting all the grain.”
-or-
Ruth told her, “Boaz even said I could stay in the field with his workers until they had finished harvesting all his grain.” (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:12

4:12a

In 4:11c the people said that they hoped that Ruth would have many descendants. Here they were saying the same thing about Boaz.

And may your house become like the house of Perez: Perez was one of Judah’s sons, a grandson of Jacob and one of the ancestors of Boaz (4:18–21). Although he was not the first-born, his family became more numerous and more important than those of his brothers.

house: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as house refers here to all the descendants of Boaz, not just those who live in his house.

whom Tamar bore to Judah: Tamar was a foreigner who became an important person in Israelite history because she had a baby with Judah, one of the sons of Jacob. Because Ruth was also a foreigner, this may have been the reason that the people compared Ruth with Tamar.

4:12b

because of the offspring: This refers to the children Boaz and Ruth would have and to their future descendants.

the LORD will give you: The people recognized that it is the LORD who enables a woman to bear children. Ruth had not yet had a child, even though she had been married to Mahlon. So the people prayed that the LORD would give Ruth children for Boaz.

by this young woman: Ruth may have married Mahlon at quite a young age, so she still could have been considered young. This may have been true especially when compared with Boaz, who was probably somewhat older than she was. It may also imply that Ruth was still young enough to bear children.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

from the descendant whom the Lord will give you from this young woman (God’s Word)
-or-
May the children that the Lord will give you by this young woman (Good News Translation)
-or-
may the Lord give you many children through Ruth (New Century Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:12

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