SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024 – Page 6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:9

2:9a

Let your eyes be on the field they are harvesting: The fields for the residents of Bethlehem were outside the village and one man’s field would be adjacent to that of another person. So Boaz instructed Ruth to watch carefully where his harvest crew was working and to stay with them. That is where she would be able to gather the most grain, and where she would be safest (2:9b).

they are harvesting: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they are harvesting is literally “they (masculine) are harvesting.” Masculine gender in Hebrew can be used for a mixed group of men and women, so scholars have interpreted this in two ways:

(1) It refers to all the harvest workers including both men and women. In versions that translate with they, the referent will be understood as “the women who work for me” (2:8c.) For example:

Keep your eyes on the field they are reaping (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
Watch to see into which fields they go to cut grain and follow them. (New Century Version)

(2) It refers only to the male workers. For example:

Take note of the field where the men are harvesting (NET Bible)
-or-
and follow along behind them, as they gather up what the men have cut (Contemporary English Version)

The Notes will follow interpretation (1) and use a word that can refer to all the harvest workers. However, both interpretations have good commentary support. It is clear that the men did the actual harvesting/reaping, whereas the women gathered and tied the stalks into bundles. You may follow whatever interpretation people will understand best in your culture.

and follow along after these girls: Boaz here granted Ruth the privilege of gleaning close to the women workers, not just after them. For example:

Stay right behind the young women working in my field. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
continue following closely behind my women workers (New Century Version)

2:9b

Indeed, I have ordered the young men not to touch you: In Hebrew, this statement is a rhetorical question. Boaz used it to emphasize the certainty of his instructions to the men. There are two ways to translate this question:

As a rhetorical question. For example:

Have I not commanded the young men to do you no harm ? (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

As a statement. For example:

I will tell the men to leave you alone. (NET Bible)

not to touch: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew verb in this context that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to touch :

(1) It means “to bother, harm, or treat roughly.” For example:

I have ordered the young men not to bother you. (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I have ordered the young men not to treat you roughly. (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It mean to come against a person violently or to abuse sexually. For example:

I have forbidden my men to molest you. (New Jerusalem Bible)

Phrases such as “lay a hand on” (New International Version) and touch (Berean Standard Bible) are ambiguous.

The Notes will follow interpretation (1). Boaz had given special permission to Ruth to glean close to his female workers. Without this command his male workers may have treated her roughly and told her that she could only glean after those workers were finished with their work.

However, you should also fee free to follow interpretation (2). It is followed by a majority of versions and a number of scholars. Ruth 2:9 is mentioned specifically as one of the OT references where “touch a woman” is a euphemism for sexual intercourse. It is unlikely that a man would molest Ruth in broad daylight, but someone might well attempt it in the evening as she walked home.

2:9c

And when you are thirsty, go and drink from the jars the young men have filled: Boaz was again granting Ruth a special favor. Normally, a gleaner would have to get her own water. She would not be allowed to drink from the water jars that the workers had filled for themselves.

the jars: These are not specified as water containers in the Hebrew text, but are just called “containers” or “vessels.” However, from the context it is clear that they were containers for water.

the young men have filled: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have filled refers specifically to drawing (pulling up) water from a well. In your translation, use the words that people in your culture normally use to describe filling their water containers.

the young men: The masculine plural noun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the young men can refer to a mixed group of servants. So if it would seem strange to your readers that men would fill water jars, you may use a general term such as “servants” or “workers.”

© 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 3:18

Do not return to Naomi with nothing to give to her. (Easy English Bible)
-or-
He said that I must not go home without bringing a gift for you. (English Easy-to-Read Version)

3:18a

“Wait, my daughter,” said Naomi, “until you find out how things go: This verse part indicates that Naomi wanted Ruth to be patient until there was more news. She did not need to leave their home to seek news about Boaz’s actions, or to do anything more herself.

The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as how things go refers to the results of what Boaz said that he would do. Naomi was referring to whether Boaz or the other redeemer would act as the kinsman-redeemer and marry Ruth.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Naomi said to her, “Now be patient, Ruth, until you see how this all turns out. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Then Naomi answered, “Child! We must wait until we know what will happen ⌊when Boaz talks with the other relative⌋.

3:18b

for: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces a reason clause and is often translated as “because.” Naomi told Ruth that she should be patient, because Boaz would most certainly do what he said that he would do. However, the idea of reason is not very strong here, so in some languages, it may be more natural to omit it.

he will not rest: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he refers to Boaz, so you could also use his name.

The expression will not rest is used here as a figure of speech. Naomi believed that Boaz would keep trying to settle this matter and would not stop until he did so.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

that man will not stop
-or-
Boaz will surely do what he needs to do (Easy English Bible)

unless he has resolved the matter today: This clause means that Boaz would not rest or stop until he resolved the problem of who would redeem Ruth. He would talk with the closer relative and then know whether that relative or Boaz would redeem Ruth. Naomi knew that Boaz would do what he said that same day. Either the closer relative would redeem and marry Ruth or Boaz would. By the end of the day, Ruth would know which would happen.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

until he solves the problem, ⌊which he will do⌋ today
-or-
until they decide the matter ⌊of your marriage⌋ today
-or-
until he has finished doing what he should do today (New Century Version)

has resolved: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as resolved more literally means “finished” or “completed.” Here it refers to a legal decision about what will happen. It could be translated as “decided.”

today: Naomi was putting emphasis on this word. She believed that Boaz would conclude this important issue on that day.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:10

1:10

and said, “Surely we will return with you to your people.”: In this verse, Orpah and Ruth told Naomi that they intended to accompany her as she returned to Bethlehem.

Here are some ways to indicate the connection of this clause to the previous clause. Any of these options is acceptable:

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

and said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

• Indicate that Orpah and Ruth’s desire to stay with Naomi contrasts with Naomi’s intention to leave them. For example:

But they said to her, “No! We will return with you to your people.” (NET Bible)

• Leave implied the connection of this clause to the previous clause. For example:

They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” (New Revised Standard Version)

Surely we will return: This phrase indicates that the daughters-in-law intend to accompany Naomi on her return to her people. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Surely indicates that they objected to leaving Naomi.

Here are two ways to translate this conjunction:

• Make the meaning of the conjunction explicit. For example:

“No,” they said, “We want to go with you (New Living Translation (2004))

• Leave the meaning of the conjunction implied. For example:

“We are going back with you (God’s Word)

The word return may cause confusion here. Only Naomi would actually be returning to Judah, since Orpah and Ruth had not been there before. In some languages, it may be more natural to translate this verse part differently. For example:

• Leave the word return implied. For example:

We want to go with you (Contemporary English Version)

• Translate in a way that the word return refers only to Naomi. For example:

“We will accompany you on your return

to your people: In Hebrew, the word people is very general. It could refer to Naomi’s relatives or to all the people of Israel. If your language has a word or phrase that refers to relatives, including distant relatives, you may want to use it here. For example:

to your clan
-or-
to your tribe

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:20

2:20a

May he be blessed by the LORD: Naomi again asked the LORD to bless Boaz.

2:20b

who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as withdrawn His kindness is more literally “forsaken, abandoned.”

There are two interpretation issues in this clause. The first is whether His kindness is the object or the subject of the Hebrew clause. The possibilities are:

(1) His kindness is the object of the verb. According to this interpretation, “he” is the subject of the verb, and kindness is something that “he” has not abandoned or forsaken. For example:

he has not abandoned his loyalty to the living or to the dead (NET Bible)

(2) His kindness is the subject of the verb. According to this interpretation, God’s kindness has not abandoned or forsaken his people. For example:

whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

The second issue is that in Hebrew it is not clear who has not withdrawn His kindness. Scholars have interpreted the clause in two ways:

(1) The LORD is the subject of the verb. For example:

May he be blessed by the Lord, who never fails to show kindness to the living and to the dead. (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(2) Boaz is the subject of the verb. For example:

May he be rewarded by the Lord because he has shown loyalty to the living on behalf of the dead. (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with the majority of English versions.

who has not withdrawn His kindness: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as withdrawn is more literally “abandoned” or “forsaken.” Naomi was saying that the LORD was still being kind and faithful to her family. The LORD was showing his kindness through Boaz.

In some languages, it may be more natural to say:

He has not stopped being kind
-or-
He has not stopped acting kindly
-or-
He has continued to act with kindness/faithfulness

His kindness: The Hebrew word ḥesed that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kindness means faithfulness, love, and loyalty. See also the note at 1:8d.

from the living: The phrase the living here refers to Naomi and Ruth. The LORD had been kind to them by guiding Ruth to the field of a relative who was generous to her.

or the dead: The phrase the dead here probably refers to Elimelech and his sons. Perhaps Naomi was already thinking that Boaz might act as a guardian-redeemer, marry Ruth, and so continue Elimelech’s family line. This would be considered a great kindness to Elimelech and his sons, who had all died.

2:20c

Naomi continued: The phrase Naomi continued indicates that Naomi continued speaking to Ruth. She started to talk about Boaz directly. Use the words that are normal in your language to indicate that the speaker continued to speak but changed the topic slightly.

The man is a close relative: Naomi referred to Boaz as The man. In some languages, it might not be polite to refer to a wealthy relative as The man. You should translate this with words that indicate respect.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Boaz is a close relative (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
That gentleman/landowner is a close relative

a close relative: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a close relative is literally “close/near to us.” It is clear from the context that Naomi was talking of kinship and family ties. Naomi refers to him as a close relative even though Boaz was a relative of her deceased husband. In some languages, it may be necessary to say “a close relative of our family/husbands.”

2:20d

He is one of our kinsman-redeemers: In Israel, close relatives had a responsibility to preserve the property and family name of those related to them. The closest relatives—a brother, uncle, or cousin—had the main responsibility. These closest relatives were called kinsman-redeemers. By using this special term, Naomi was saying that Boaz was one of the men who had a close enough family relationship to help both her and Ruth.

In some languages, a term such as “guardian/kinsman-redeemer” may be misunderstood, because most people will associate it with Christ’s role as the redeemer of sinners.

In some languages, it may be necessary to translate kinsman-redeemers with a phrase that clarifies the meaning in the context of this book. For example:

one of those who is supposed to look after us (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
one who should take care of us (New Century Version)
-or-
one of those responsible for taking care of us (Good News Translation)
-or-
one of those who have responsibility to care for our family
-or-
a relative with the duty to help us

It is suggested that you use one or more of the above examples where the phrase kinsman-redeemer occurs in the source line. In this verse part, Naomi is speaking to Ruth, so the inclusive pronoun “us” is used. In other contexts, such as where Ruth speaks to Boaz, the exclusive pronoun should be used.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:11

Paragraph 4:11–12

This paragraph describes the blessing that was pronounced on Boaz, including wealth and a good reputation. It also describes the blessing that was given to Ruth that she would bear many children.

4:11a

“We are witnesses,”: The repetition of “We /You are witnesses in 4:9b, 4:10d, and 4:11a highlights the role of the witnesses.

4:11b

said the elders and all the people at the gate: These people were the leading men of the town and the other people there at the town meeting place. See how you translated these two terms in 4:9a.

4:11c

May the LORD make the woman entering your home: This is a short prayer or blessing.

the woman: This refers to Ruth. You may refer to her by name if calling her the woman would be impolite or derogatory in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

May the Lord make your wife (Good News Translation)
-or-
May the LORD cause your wife Ruth

entering your home: Here the people are speaking to Boaz. The pronoun translated “you” and your in 4:11c, 4:12a, and 4:12b are masculine singular in the Hebrew text.

Ruth was entering Boaz’s home, or into his “family” or “household,” as his wife. In some languages, it may be helpful to include this implied information. For example:

whom you are bringing into your home ⌊as your wife⌋

like Rachel and Leah: These were the two wives of Jacob, a grandson of Abraham. If your readers do not know these names, you may want to give this information in a footnote. For example:

The people prayed that the LORD would bless Ruth by giving her children, who would themselves have many descendants. This is what the LORD had done for Rachel and Leah in Genesis chapters 29–30.

4:11d

who together built up the house of Israel: The many sons of Rachel and Leah were the founders of the nation of Israel. Rachel and Leah and their two servant girls gave birth to twelve sons. The twelve sons each became the head of a tribe within the descendants of Israel.

Although Zilpah and Bilhah, the women servants of Rachel and Leah, gave birth to four of the sons, all the sons were officially considered to be the children of Rachel and Leah.

built up: This means that they made Israel strong and numerous by having many descendants.

the house of Israel: Jacob was also known as Israel. There are two ways to interpret it here:

(1) It refers to the nation or people of Israel who had descended from Jacob. For example:

from whom all the nation of Israel descended (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
both of whom built our family of Israel (God’s Word)

(2) It refers to the children and descendants of Jacob himself. For example:

like Rachel and Leah, who bore many children to Jacob (Good News Translation)

(Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation)

The versions that translate the Hebrew literally as “the house/family of Israel” are ambiguous.

Only one commentary clearly supports interpretation (2). You may follow any of the interpretations in your language.

house: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as house here refers a person’s descendants.

4:11e

May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem: Before the Notes discuss the interpretation of the blessings given here, it will be helpful to notice that this verse part has two parallel lines:

May you be prosperous in Ephrathah

and be famous in Bethlehem

in Ephrathah…in Bethlehem: Ephrathah is probably the name of a clan that lived in Bethlehem. This clan name was an old name for Bethlehem. Here it is a synonym for Bethlehem. In your translation, you may need to indicate that Bethlehem and Ephrathah are the same place.

There are four ways to interpret the Hebrew idiom that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “May you be prosperous”:

(1) It refers to an increase in money and possessions. For example:

May you become rich… (Good News Translation)

(2) It refers to an increase in reputation and status. For example:

May you become powerful… (New Century Version)

(3) It refers to good character. For example:

So show your strength of character… (God’s Word)

(English Standard Version, God’s Word, King James Version, Revised English Bible)

It refers to an increase in children. For example:

May you produce children (New Revised Standard Version)

(New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The people prayed that as a result of his marriage, Boaz would prosper and grow rich. However, interpretation (2) is supported by the parallelism. Interpretation (3) is supported by the Hebrew usage elsewhere.

and famous in Bethlehem: The Hebrew idiom that the Berean Standard Bible translates as famous is literally “call a name.” The people wanted Boaz to get a well-known name, or gain a good reputation, as a result of the many children and descendants they hoped he would have.

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.

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.

Search

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:22

Search

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

American Bible Society