SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024 – Page 8

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)

© 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 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)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:22

Paragraph 1:22

1:22a

So: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So indicates that what follows is a summary. This clause summarizes verses 6 through 21 and sets the scene for the next part of the story. Introduce this summary in a natural way in your language.

Naomi returned from the land of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess:

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

So Naomi came back from the territory of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess. (CSB)
-or-
This, then, was how Naomi came back from Moab with Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law. (Good News Translation)

1:22b

And they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest: The Hebrew text begins a new sentence here. This may be more natural in many languages. For example:

When they arrived in Bethlehem, the barley harvest was just beginning. (Good News Translation)

barley harvest: The barley harvest was in late April or early May. Barley is a grain, like rice, corn, or millet. The grains grow in a cluster at the top of a thin stalk. People use the stalks and the grains as animal food, and they grind the barley grains into flour and make bread.

If people in your culture are not familiar with barley, here are some ways you can translate it:

• Use a word from the national or trade language and explain it in a footnote.

• Use an expression like “a grain called barley.”

• If no grain is grown in your area, it may be possible to use an expression like “grass with edible seeds.”

• It may be helpful to include a picture.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The barley harvest was just beginning when Naomi and Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law, arrived in Bethlehem. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:9

3:9a

“Who are you?” he asked: As in previous verses, you may want to put the quote introducer at the beginning. For example:

He asked, “Who are you?” (CJB)

3:9b

“I am your servant Ruth,” she replied: Again, the Berean Standard Bible has placed the words she replied after the quoted words of Ruth. In most languages, it is more natural to put this quote introducer at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. (English Standard Version)

your servant: When Ruth referred to herself as your servant, she spoke in a figurative way. She did not literally mean that she was his slave or servant. Ruth used this figure of speech to indicate her respect and humility to someone who had higher status than herself.

There are two options to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the literal meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

I am Ruth, your servant girl (New Century Version)

• Use a term of respect that expresses the meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

Sir, I am Ruth (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

⌊ My⌋lord, it is I, Ruth

3:9c–d

General Comment on reordering in 3:9c–d

Before you translate 9c–d you should consider the natural order in which your language should place the two clauses of this sentence. In 9c Ruth made an appeal or request to Boaz, and in 9d she gave the basis or reason for that appeal. In many languages, it will be more natural to reorder these clauses. For example:

9d You are a kinsman-redeemer of our family, 9c ⌊so⌋ spread the corner of your garment over me.

3:9c

Spread the corner of your garment over me: This clause is a Hebrew idiom with a double meaning. The figurative meaning of the idiom is “marry me” or “take me as your wife.” However, the literal meaning (expressed in the Berean Standard Bible) also fits this context. (See the note and footnote under corner of your garment below.) With this statement, Ruth was asking for two things. She wanted Boaz to take her as his wife, and she also wanted him to cover her up from the cold night air.

Here are some options to translate this idiom:

• Translate the literal meaning and put the figurative meaning in a footnote. For example:

So spread the edge of your cover over me. (Contemporary English Version)

FOOTNOTE: In Hebrew, these words have another meaning, which is, “Look after me as your wife.”

• Translate the figurative meaning and put the literal meaning in a footnote. For example:

⌊ Please⌋marry me.

FOOTNOTE: In Hebrew she said, “Cover me with the edge of your robe/blanket.” But these words have another meaning which is, “Look after me as your wife.”

• Use a short clause that expresses both the literal and figurative meaning. For example:

Spread the edge of your robe over me to show that you will marry me.

Translate this clause in a natural and meaningful way in your language.

Spread…over me: This means “cover me with” or “stretch out over me.”

the corner of your garment: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the corner of your garment refers to the “edge,” “boundary,” or “corner” of a blanket, covering, or item of clothing. This Hebrew word has a double meaning which is important in this context. It can also refer to the “wings” of a bird or animal. This was a figure of speech that referred to care and protection, like a young bird seeking protection under the “wings” of its mother.

me: In Hebrew, Ruth spoke of herself to Boaz here as “your servant.” She did not use the pronoun me. This is the same word for “servant” that she used to refer to herself in 3:9b. See the note there. In both places, she used this word as a figure of speech to show humility and respect to Boaz.

If referring to yourself as someone’s “servant” is a natural or possible way in your language to show respect, consider saying it that way here. For example:

Spread out your robe over your servant. (CEB)

If your audience would assume that Ruth meant that she was a literal servant to Boaz, you should follow the Berean Standard Bible and some other translations by using the pronoun me.

3:9d

for: The Hebrew conjunction which the Berean Standard Bible translates as for means “because.” Here it introduces a basis or reason for the request that Ruth made to Boaz in 9c. If you are reordering 9c–d as described in the General Comment above, it may not be necessary to include an explicit translation of this conjunction.

you are a kinsman-redeemer: See the notes on 2:20d. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kinsman-redeemer refers to someone who was responsible to defend and protect the rights of needy relatives, including widows. Ruth reminded Boaz that this was his duty because he was a close relative of her dead husband.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

you are the relative who is supposed to take care of me (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
one of those who have responsibility to care for our family
-or-
Because you are a close relative, you are responsible for taking care of me. So please marry me. (Good News Translation)
-or-
you have a duty to help/protect our(excl.) family

See how you translated this word in 2:20d and use a similar expression here.

Paragraph 3:10–13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:1

Section 1:1–5

Elimelech and his family went to Moab, where he and his two sons died

A note on the spelling of Elimelech. Most versions, like the Berean Standard Bible spell the name as Elimelech. The New International Version (2011) spells the name with a final k (Elimelek). The Notes will follow the spelling used by any quoted versions.

This section contains the first main event of the story. An Israelite named Elimelech moved to the neighboring country of Moab with his wife, Naomi, and their two sons because there was famine in Israel. Elimelech died in Moab. His two sons later married women from Moab, Ruth and Orpah. Both of the sons then also died.

This section has two paragraphs:

Paragraph 1:1–2 gives an introduction. Verse 1 gives the setting of the story and introduces the main characters in this event.

Paragraph 1:3–5 describes the event in detail. Verse 1:5b summarizes the section that refers to Naomi but does not use her name.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Naomi Loses Her Husband and Sons (New International Version)
-or-
Naomi Widowed (English Standard Version)
-or-
Elimelech and His Family Move to Moab (Good News Translation)
-or-
The Move to Moab and Tragedy (God’s Word)

It is important to translate this book in a way that indicates the story is true. Follow a natural way that storytellers in your language use to tell true events.

Paragraph 1:1–2

Verse 1:1 introduces the characters/participants in a general way that does not give their names. Verse 1:2 gives the name of each character. However, if this is not a natural way to introduce characters in your language, another option is to combine 1:1–2 and introduce the characters by name. For example:

1–2 Long ago, in the days before Israel had a king, there was a famine in the land. So a man named Elimelech, who belonged to the clan of Ephrath and who lived in Bethlehem in Judah, went with his wife Naomi and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion to live for a while in the country of Moab. While they were living there… (Good News Translation)

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

1:1a

In the days when the judges ruled: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as days when the judges ruled is literally “in the days of the judging of the judges.” It refers to a time period of about three hundred years when judges ruled the country of Israel. After that time period, kings ruled the country.

Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

• Make explicit the role/function of the judges.

In the days when the Judges were governing (New Jerusalem Bible)

• Leave implicit the role/function of the judges. For example:

During the time of the judges (NET Bible)

• Make explicit the location where the judges ruled. For example:

Long ago when the judges ruled Israel (New Century Version)

the judges: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the judges refers to the leaders or chiefs who ruled in Israel at that time.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

In the days when the chieftains ruled (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
During the time that leaders ruled/governed

the: The definite article the implies that the audience of this story already knew who the judges were. If this is new information to your readers, it may be better to translate “judges” without the definite article. For example:

During the time when judges ruled

ruled: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ruled is literally “judged.” They judged by deciding what was right and what was wrong when problems were brought to them, and then they gave their decisions to the people involved. However, their activities were more varied than the activities of a judge in most cultures today. They also led the people to fight against any oppressors.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

governed (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
led the people

1:1b

there was a famine: This clause means that there was not enough food for people to eat. In Hebrew, the word famine is also the word “hunger.” The verse does not give a cause of the famine. However, lack of rain was a common cause and is probably implied here. If your language requires you to give a reason for the famine, you can make explicit that this famine was the result of a lack of rain.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

there was a shortage of food (New Century Version)
-or-
many people were hungry

Be careful to translate famine in a way that does not imply that the famine lasted the entire time that the judges ruled. The famine lasted for a period of years, but the judges ruled for hundreds of years.

in the land: This phrase refers to the land of Israel. The famine was probably widespread throughout the country.

Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

• Make the referent of the phrase explicit. For example:

there was a famine in the land of Israel

• Leave the referent of the phrase implied. For example:

there was a famine in the land (English Standard Version)

• Substitute a different word or phrase. For example:

a famine occurred in the country (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
many people were hungry there

1:1c–d

And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab: 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 is the result of the famine that is described in the previous clause. For example:

So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of Moab, along with his wife and two sons. (NET Bible)

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

and a man of Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the country of Moab. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

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

A man from Bethlehem in Judah went with his wife and two sons to live for a while in the country of Moab. (God’s Word)

1:1c

a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “he went a man from Bethlehem Judah.” There are two main interpretations of this phrase:

(1) The home of the man was Bethlehem in Judah. For example:

a man from Bethlehem in Judah (NET Bible)

(2) The man departed from Bethlehem in Judah. For example:

So a man named Elimelech left the town of Bethlehem in Judah (New Century Version)

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

a certain man: This phrase introduces the first character in the story. In this verse, the author does not say the name of the man.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

a man (New International Version)

In some languages, it may be more natural to introduce the character by name instead of using the phrase a certain man. See the 1:1–2 paragraph description for an example.

Bethlehem in Judah: This phrase refers to the town of Bethlehem in the region of Judah.

Judah: Judah was the name of the region where the descendants of Judah, son of Jacob, lived. It was in the southern part of the land of Israel. See the map of Judah in the section description.

1:1d

with his wife and two sons: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “he his wife and his two sons.” This phrase introduces additional characters in the story. They are the family members of “a certain man from Bethlehem.”

In the Hebrew phrase, the man is the subject. The family members are described in relation to him, as “his wife” and “his two sons.”

Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

• Translate more literally. For example:

he and his wife and his two sons (English Standard Version)

• Translate in a way that refers to both parents. For example:

with his wife…and their two sons (Good News Translation)

• Leave the pronoun “his” implied in the second part of the phrase. For example:

with his wife and two sons (Revised English Bible)

Translate this introduction of the family members in a way that is natural in your language.

went to reside: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to reside means “dwell as a stranger.” In this verse, the Hebrew word referred to a temporary stay.

in the land of Moab: Moab is a region that is located to the east of Judah. See the map in the section description.

In this phrase, the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as land means “field,” “country” or “land.” The majority of versions translate this word as “country.” However, in this verse, the word could have any of these meanings.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

on the plateau
-or-
in the country of Moab (New International Version)
-or-
In the region of Moab (NET Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:11

2:11a

Boaz replied: The Hebrew is more literally “and Boaz answered and said.” Introduce Boaz’s reply to Ruth in a way that is natural in your language.

I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as made fully aware is more literally “have been told, have been told.” This repetition emphasizes the fact that Boaz had been told about Ruth’s actions toward her mother-in-law. Perhaps several people had talked to him about her. In addition, the word fully is used. This indicates that Ruth’s actions had been explained to him in detail. Boaz had heard a lot about Ruth and what she had done for Naomi.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

People have told me about everything you have done for your mother-in-law (God’s Word)
-or-
I know about all the help you have given your mother-in-law (New Century Version)
-or-
I have been hearing all about your ⌊kind⌋ actions to your mother-in-law

I have been made fully aware: The verb phrase I have been made fully aware is passive in form. Boaz does not say who had told him about Ruth. There are at least two ways to translate this:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

I have been given a full report (NET Bible)

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊ People⌋have told me
-or-
I have heard
-or-
I have had a complete account (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

all you have done for your mother-in-law: This refers to the various things that Ruth had done to help and support Naomi. In some languages, it may be natural to make it explicit that Ruth had behaved well toward her mother-in-law. For example:

how you’ve helped your mother-in-law (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

all the help you have given your mother-in-law (New Century Version)

since the death of your husband: The phrase since the death of your husband refers in general to the period of time that had passed since the death of Ruth’s husband Mahlon. Here are some other ways to translate this:

following the death of your husband (NET Bible)
-or-
ever since your husband died (Contemporary English Version)

2:11b

how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as how does not refer to the way Ruth left, but rather to the fact that she left. This verse part begins an explanation of what exactly Ruth had done for her mother-in-law. She had left her own parents and her own land.

In some languages, it may be more natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:

You even left your own father and mother to come and live in a foreign land (New Century Version)
-or-
I have heard how you left your own father and mother and your own land (New Living Translation (2004))

the land of your birth: This refers to the land of Moab, where Ruth had been born and where her family still lived.

2:11c

and how you came to a people you did not know before: This verse part continues to make explicit what Ruth had done for Naomi. She had come to live in Israel among strangers. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a people is a general word. It is contrasted with Ruth’s “land of…birth” of Moab in 2:11b, so here it refers to the people of Israel.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

and came to live among people you did not know previously (NET Bible)
-or-
to come to a nation where you did not know anyone (New Century Version)

a people you did not know before: This clause indicates that Ruth had not known the Israelites well or personally before this time. Ruth had never lived in Israel before. She knew about the Israelites but perhaps only knew the family of Elimelech personally.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

among complete strangers (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊ us(excl.) ⌋foreigners

General Comment on 2:11a–c

This verse consists of a very long sentence. In the Book of Ruth, Boaz often speaks in long sentences. This seems to be part of the way that the author shows his character as a serious and dignified man. However, in some languages it may be better to translate this verse as two or three sentences. For example:

11a Boaz answered her, “People have told me about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since your husband died. 11b They told me how you left your father and mother and the country where you were born. 11c They also told me how you came to people that you didn’t know before….” (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:2

4:2a

Then: In Hebrew, this verse begins with the same Hebrew conjunction as in 4:1d. Here the Berean Standard Bible translates it as Then. In some languages, it may be helpful to use a conjunction that indicates the next action. For example:

Boaz took ten of the elders of the city: The elders were the leading men of the town who discussed important things and made the decisions that governed the town. They were usually older men whom the people of the town recognized as its leaders. In this situation, the elders were called together to witness a legal process. See 4:9a–b.

took: In this verse, the Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as took means that Boaz “selected” the elders. He may have asked some men to stop as he saw them about to pass through the gate, or he may have sent someone to ask certain men that he knew to come to a meeting.

In Hebrew, it says “ten of the elders,” so apparently there were more than ten elders in the town.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Then Boaz chose ten men who were leaders of that city (God’s Word)
-or-
Boaz gathered ten of the older leaders of the city (New Century Version)

4:2b

and said, “Sit here,” and they did so: Translate this in a way that shows that Boaz politely asked the elders to sit down. For example:

and asked them to sit down there too (Good News Translation)
-or-
Please sit down here

and: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and introduces what happened as a result of what Boaz had said. You could translate it as “so.”

they did so: This refers to the request Boaz made that the elders sit down with him. Here are some other ways to translate these words:

So they also sat down. (God’s Word)
-or-
When they were seated (Good News Translation)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:21

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:2

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