SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024 – Page 4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:1

Section 2:1–23

Ruth gathered grain in a field belonging to Boaz

This third section in the book of Ruth tells how Ruth met Boaz. Since Naomi and Ruth were poor at this time, Ruth asked Naomi for permission to glean in the grain fields in order to find them some food.

Ruth chose a field in which to glean. Although she did not know it, the man who owned that field, Boaz, was a relative of Elimelech. Boaz had heard about Ruth already, but he had not met her. He was sympathetic and kind to her that day, and told her to continue to work in his field during the rest of the harvest time.

That evening, Ruth returned home and told Naomi that the owner of the field where she had gleaned was called Boaz and that he had treated her well. Naomi was very pleased. She encouraged Ruth to continue to work there just as Boaz had invited her to do.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Ruth Meets Boaz (English Standard Version)
-or-
Ruth Works in the Field of Boaz (NET Bible)

Paragraph 2:1–2

2:1a

Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side: This verse begins a new part of the story (2:1–23). It introduces an important character, Boaz, before he begins to speak or act in 2:4. This verse gives background information about Boaz. (See the Appendix, “Introduction to the Discourse Structure,” for more discussion about this.)

Introduce this verse in a way that is natural in your language to either begin a new part of the story or to indicate background information, or both. The Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions do this with the word Now. Used in this way, Now indicates a break in the sequence of actions from chapter 1. It is not a time word .

Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side: The phrase on her husband’s side means that Boaz and Naomi were related because of her marriage with Elimelech. The text does not exactly explain the relationship between Boaz and Elimelech, but it was a close one (see 2:20). Boaz may have been a cousin to Elimelech. He was not a “brother” in the sense of having the same father and mother. Probably Boaz was about the same age as Elimelech would have been if he were still alive. Use the correct kinship term in your language for such a relationship.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

who belonged to the family of her husband Elimelech (Good News Translation)
-or-
There was a cousin to the former/deceased husband of Naomi

2:1b

a prominent man of noble character from the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a prominent man of noble character has a several possible meanings. It is literally “a mighty man of strength/wealth/ability/character.” Most often in the Hebrew Scriptures, the phrase describes a mighty warrior. But in the context of Ruth, it describes Boaz as an important and influential man in Bethlehem due to his wealth and good character.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

a rich and important man (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
a respected man of outstanding character
-or-
a wealthy, prominent man (NET Bible)

from the clan of Elimelech: Boaz was from the same extended family as Elimelech. The clan of Elimelech does not identify Elimelech as the head of the clan. Rather, Boaz and Elimelech shared a common ancestor. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as clan refers here to a unit smaller than a tribe (as in “tribe of Judah”) but larger than a immediate family of parents and children.

Here is another way to translate this:

from the same extended family as Elimelech

General Comment on 2:1a-b

There is some repetition of information about Boaz. For example, saying that Boaz was a relative of Elimelech is similar to saying that he was from the same clan as Elimelech. In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder some of this information. For example:

Now there was a man named Boaz who was from the same clan as Naomi’s husband. He/Boaz was wealthy and respected.

See 2:1a-b (combined/reordered) in the Display for another example.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:10

3:10a

Then Boaz said, “May the LORD bless you, my daughter: In Hebrew, this sentence indicates that Boaz wanted the LORD to bless Ruth. See how you translated the word bless. in 2:19b and 2:20a and translate it the same way here.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

Boaz replied, “May the LORD bless you, my daughter. (God’s Word)
-or-
Boaz replied: The LORD bless you! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
After Ruth said this, Boaz answered, “May the LORD show you his favor.”

my daughter: Boaz addressed Ruth in a kind and polite way as my daughter. You should use the same term as in 2:8a.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

my dear (NET Bible)
-or-
dear young lady
-or-
young woman
-or-
you who are like my own daughter

3:10b

You have shown more kindness: The Hebrew word ḥesed that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kindness combines the ideas of love and loyalty. The Berean Standard Bible, like the Hebrew, does not say to whom Ruth was kind or loyal. However, in some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. Boaz was speaking of Ruth’s kindness to Naomi and to Naomi’s family. Ruth was kind to Naomi because she was willing to marry Boaz. In that way, she made it possible for him to take care of Naomi and give her a grandchild as her kinsman-redeemer. See the notes in the “Introduction to Ruth” on ḥesed and refer to how you translated this term in 1:8c and 2:20b.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

this second act of faithful love (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
family loyalty in what you are doing now (Good News Translation)
-or-
This act of kindness (New Century Version)
-or-
devoted to the family (Revised English Bible)

now than before: This phrase means that the kindness that Ruth showed by seeking to marry Boaz was even better than her previous kindness to Naomi. Boaz mentioned those ways in 2:11.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

is greater than what you did before (NET Bible)
-or-
is better than the first (God’s Word)
-or-
is greater than the kindness you showed to Naomi in the beginning (New Century Version)
-or-
even greater…than in what you did for your mother-in-law (Good News Translation)

3:10c

because you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor: This sentence gives the reason why Ruth’s second kindness was greater than her first. She could have tried to marry a younger man, but chose to marry Boaz instead to give Naomi a grandchild.

Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:

by not running after any young man, whether rich or poor (Revised English Bible)
-or-
because you have not pursued younger men, whether rich or poor (CSB)
-or-
You didn’t look for a young man to marry, either rich or poor. (New Century Version)
-or-
You could have looked for a younger man, either rich or poor, but you didn’t. (Contemporary English Version)

The Hebrew verb phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as run after is an idiom used commonly in the OT that means “seek to marry.” Boaz knew that Ruth was concerned about doing what was best for Naomi. She could have encouraged some younger man to marry her, but she had not done this. She had approached only someone who could act as Naomi’s kinsman-redeemer.

the younger men: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the younger men has the definite article as part of the word. It therefore refers to “the young men” of Bethlehem, meaning those who lived close by and whom Ruth could have married.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

one of the young men (NET Bible)
-or-
someone younger

whether rich or poor: The Berean Standard Bible has reversed the order of the Hebrew words meaning rich and poor because this sounds better in English. Use the order that is most natural in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:2

1:2

This verse gives more details about the characters that were introduced in 1:1.

1:2a

The man’s name was Elimelech: The name Elimelech means either “God is king” or “my God is king.” However, the meaning of the name is probably not important to the story.

It is recommended that you follow the majority of versions that transliterate the name Elimelech. You can add a footnote to explain the meaning of the name if you think it will be helpful to your readers.

Here is a footnote example:

The name “Elimelech” literally means “My God [is] king.” (Modified from the NET Bible)

1:2b

his wife’s name was Naomi: The name Naomi means “pleasant” or “lovely.” In 1:20a, Naomi used a wordplay in which she contrasted the meaning of her name with the Hebrew word mara, which means “bitter.”

It is recommended that you follow the majority of versions that transliterate the name Naomi. Also consider adding a footnote to explain the meaning of the name. The footnote may help your readers recognize the play on words in 1:20a.

Here is a footnote example:

The name Naomi means “pleasant” or “lovely.” Her name is used as a wordplay in 1:20–21. She laments that she is no longer “pleasant” but “bitter” because of the loss of her husband and two sons. (Modified from the NET Bible)

1:2c

and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion: Scholars do not agree about the meaning of the names Mahlon and Chilion. They also do not know which son was older. It is recommended that you follow the majority of versions that transliterate these names.

In some languages, it may be necessary to indicate which son was older. It is reasonable to assume that Mahlon was the older of the two sons, since his name is mentioned first.

1:2d

They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah: This verse part gives more details about the family of Elimelech. They were members of a clan that lived in Bethlehem. Some versions make this information explicit. For example:

They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah. (NET Bible)
-or-
who belonged to the clan of Ephrath and who lived in Bethlehem in Judah (Good News Translation)

1:2e

and they entered the land of Moab and settled there: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as settled means “remained” or “stayed.”

This clause repeats the information from 1:1d. It does not indicate that they went to Moab a second time. In some languages, the repetition may create confusion or be unnatural. If that is true in your language, here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Reduce the repetition by using different words in 1:1d and 1:2e. For example:

1d…went with his wife and two sons to live in Moabite territory

2e…came to Moab and settled there (Revised English Bible)

• Leave 1:2e implied. For example:

1d…his wife and two sons, left to live for a while in the country of Moab

2d-e They were from the Ephrathite clan of Bethlehem in Judah.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:12

2:12a

May the LORD repay your work: This is a blessing. Boaz was saying that he hoped and prayed that God would do good to Ruth. Here are some other ways to translate this:

May the Lord reward you for your deeds! (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-

⌊ I ask⌋the LORD to reward you for what you have done.

repay: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as repay refers here to doing good to someone as a reward for a good action that that person has done.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

reward you
-or-
do good to you

your work: Boaz was referring to the work, or actions, he had spoken of in 2:11b-c. These were good things, kind actions. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

for being ⌊good to your mother-in-law⌋
-or-
for your ⌊kind⌋ deeds/actions

2:12b

may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel: The Hebrew is more literally “May your wages be complete from Yahweh, the God of Israel.” This repeats the meaning of 2:12a but with greater emphasis.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
May you receive a rich reward from the Lord God of Israel (God’s Word)

the LORD, the God of Israel: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the LORD is Yahweh, and the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as God is ʾelohim, the normal term for God. This sort of double expression is common in the Old Testament. How you translate it will depend on the term that you have chosen for Yahweh. For example:

the Lord God of Israel (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Yahweh, the God whom ⌊the people of⌋ Israel ⌊serve/worship⌋

2:12c

under whose wings you have taken refuge: This is a metaphor. The picture is of a young bird seeking protection under the wings of its mother. Boaz meant that Ruth was relying on the LORD to protect her and care for her, just as a mother bird protects and cares for her young ones.

There are several ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

under whose wings you have come for refuge!” (New Revised Standard Version)

• Use a simile. For example:

to whom you have come for protection ⌊like a baby bird hiding⌋ under ⌊its mother’s⌋ wings.”

• Explain the meaning of the metaphor. For example:

to whom you have come to find protection/safety.”
-or-
from whom you have sought protection!” (NET Bible)

• Use another simile or metaphor from your language that means the same thing. Avoid referring to anything that Boaz could not have known or talked about.

taken refuge: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as taken refuge means “to go for protection” or “to seek a safe place.” This implies that Ruth was trusting the God of Israel to protect her.

The Notes have used closed quote marks above to indicate that Boaz’ words to Ruth end with this verse part. Verse 2:13a continues this paragraph with Ruth’s response. In some languages, it may be easier for readers to identify a new speaker if there is a new paragraph.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:3

Paragraph 4:3–6

This paragraph describes the legal discussion between Boaz and the closest relative to Naomi about whether he was willing to redeem the land. It concludes with this man’s refusal to do so.

4:3a

And he said to the kinsman-redeemer: This is the beginning of a new paragraph. Follow the grammar of your language in choosing whether you should use the name Boaz or the pronoun he.

kinsman-redeemer: This word is used often in this chapter. Therefore, even if it is necessary to use a long phrase in your language to explain the word clearly the first time it occurs, it may be possible to shorten the phrase in some cases.

4:3b

Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech: This is new information. There is no mention of how Boaz knew this.

is selling the piece of land: This means that Naomi intended to put the land up for sale. She had not yet sold it. Boaz wanted to discuss the land before he mentioned that he would also marry Ruth. Naomi was selling the land, or the rights to the land, and a close relative had the duty and opportunity to buy it.

land: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as land can also be translated as “field.”

Here are some other ways to translate the whole clause “Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling the piece of land”:

“Now that Naomi has come back from Moab, she wants to sell the field (Good News Translation)
-or-
“You know Naomi, who came back from Moab. She is selling the land (New Living Translation (2004))

that belonged to our brother Elimelech: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as our brother can refer to either a literal brother, a cousin, another near relative, or someone else in the same clan. In this case, the reference is to a near relative. Elimelech was probably not an actual brother of Boaz or the other relative.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:13

1:13a

would you wait for them to grow up?: This is a rhetorical question. It is used for emphasis. Naomi’s daughters-in-law would certainly not wait for any sons she might have to grow up. Her new sons would be too young to marry Ruth and Orpah.

There are two ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Would you wait for them until they become old enough to marry? (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a statement. For example:

Surely you would not want to wait until they were old enough to marry! (NET Bible)

1:13b

Would you refrain from having husbands?: This is another rhetorical question. It emphasizes again that Orpah and Ruth had no reason to go with Naomi. They would not turn down other opportunities to get married, and to wait until Naomi’s sons became old enough to marry.

There are two ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Would you…and stay single just for them? (God’s Word)
-or-
Would you…refuse to marry someone else? (New Living Translation (2004))

• Use a statement. For example:

Surely you would not remain unmarried all that time! (NET Bible)

1:13c

No, my daughters: There are two ways to interpret the word No :

(1) Naomi said No to the idea that Ruth and Orpah could expect her to have more sons. For example:

No, my daughters, you know that’s impossible. (Good News Translation)

(2) Naomi said No to Ruth and Orpah’s proposal to accompany her. For example:

No, my daughters, you must not return with me. (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is supported by some commentaries and some English versions. Most versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, are ambiguous.

it grieves me very much for your sakes: There are three ways to interpret the phrase it grieves me very much :

(1) It means that the situation grieves Naomi more than her daughters-in-law. For example:

My bitterness is much worse than yours (God’s Word)

(2) It means that the situation grieves Naomi on account of her daughters-in-law. She felt sorry for them. For example:

For your sakes I feel bitter that the Lord has inflicted such misfortune on me (Revised English Bible)

(3) It means that the situation grieves Naomi too much to share her grief with her daughters-in-law. For example:

For my intense suffering is too much for you to bear. (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation is followed by many English versions and fits the context well.

grieves me: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as grieves me is more literally “bitter to me.” The word “bitter” refers to an irritating, pungent taste. It is used figuratively to refer to an unpleasant experience.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

My bitterness is much worse than yours (God’s Word)
-or-
Life is harder for me than it is for you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Your situations are bad…my situation is much worse (Translation for Translators)

1:13d

the hand of the LORD has gone out against me: The phrase the hand of the LORD is a figure of speech. It indicates the power or ability of Yahweh to perform some action. Naomi was accusing the LORD of taking action against her, or at least using others to cause her difficulty.

Here are some ways to translate this clause:

• Keep the figure of speech. For example:

because the Lord himself has raised his fist against me (New Living Translation (2004))

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

The Lord has turned against me (Good News Translation)
-or-
because the Lord has been against me (New Century Version)
-or-
because the Lord has sent me so much trouble (God’s Word)

General Comment on 1:13c–d

In some languages, it may be best to reverse the order of 1:13c and 1:13d. Here is one way to do this:

The LORD ⌊himself⌋ has turned against me, so what has happened to me is even worse than what has happened to you.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:23

Paragraph 2:23

2:23a

So: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So here introduces what Ruth did as a result of what Naomi had told her in 2:22a–b.

Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean grain: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stayed close is the same word that is translated as “stay with” in 2:21b. Ruth did as Boaz and Naomi had told her and continued to glean in Boaz’s field near his female workers. However, as 2:23c says, she still lived with Naomi.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

So Ruth continued working closely with the workers of Boaz (New Century Version)
-or-
So Ruth worked beside Boaz’s female servants, gathering grain (NET Bible)

2:23b

until the barley and wheat harvests were finished: The barley harvest was in late April and early May. The wheat harvest was after that, in late May and early June.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

until the barley and wheat were harvested (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
until both the barley harvest and the wheat harvest ended (God’s Word)
-or-
until the end of the barley harvest. Then she continued working with them through the wheat harvest in early summer. (New Living Translation (2004))

barley and wheat: Both barley and wheat are grain crops. The seeds or grains grow on a “head” which is at the top of a thin stalk. People ground the grains into flour and used it for making bread. See the note on barley in 1:22b.

2:23c

And she lived with her mother-in-law: Ruth continued to live in Naomi’s house and sleep there, although she gleaned each day in Boaz’s fields. Each evening she would bring home the grain she had gathered that day.

Here is another way to translate this verse part:

And all this time she lived with Naomi. (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages, it may be helpful to start this sentence with a phrase like “During this time….”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:14

4:14a

Then: his verse happened after Ruth’s baby was born.

the women said to Naomi: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the women refers to the women who lived in Bethlehem.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The village women said to Naomi (NET Bible)
-or-
Then the women of the town said to Naomi (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Then the women said to Naomi (New Revised Standard Version)

4:14b

Blessed be the LORD: The women meant that the LORD deserved to have people praise him. They themselves praised the LORD, and they encouraged Naomi and everyone else to praise the LORD for what he had done for Naomi and her dead husband’s family.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

May the Lord be praised (NET Bible)
-or-
We should praise the LORD
-or-
Praise the Lord ! (Contemporary English Version)

4:14c

who has not left you this day without: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who has not left you this day without means that the LORD has given a kinsman-redeemer to Naomi. In many languages, it may be best to translate this as a positive statement rather than use a double negative (“not left…without”).

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

has provided you with

this day: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this day means “today” or “now.” Perhaps the women were speaking on the very day that Ruth gave birth to a son.

a kinsman-redeemer: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kinsman-redeemer refers to a close male relative who is responsible for helping or taking care of other relatives. The women were talking about the newborn baby, not Boaz. This is made clear in 4:15c. The women expected that when the boy grew up, he would provide for his grandmother in her old age.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Today he has given you a grandson to care of you. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He has now provided you with a grandson who will care for you when you are old.

4:14d

May his name become famous: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as May his name become famous means that the women wanted the baby to be well-known. In 4:11e, all the people had said that they desired that Boaz would be “famous.” In some languages, the same translation can be used in both verses.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

May the boy become well-known
-or-
We pray that the boy will grow up to be famous (Contemporary English Version)

in Israel: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in Israel means that they wanted him to be famous throughout the land of Israel and not just in Bethlehem.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

throughout Israel (New International Version)
-or-
everywhere in Israel (Contemporary English Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:14

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