Paragraph 4:9–10

This paragraph describes how Boaz formalized the agreement to acquire the land and also Ruth in front of the elders and the other witnesses.

The author probably discussed the land agreement first, because Boaz would not be able to marry Ruth unless he first acquired the land.

4:9a

At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as At this introduces what Boaz said after the other relative said he would not redeem the land.

to the elders and all the people: Boaz had selected ten elders to be official witnesses. A large crowd may have come together before the discussion was finished, and Boaz spoke to them all.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Then Boaz said to the leaders and all the others there (Good News Translation)
-or-
Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around (New Living Translation (2004))

4:9b

You are witnesses today: This phrase and the response of the people in 4:11b were Hebrew phrases that were used when people officially completed business agreements that they had conducted in the presence of witnesses.

witnesses: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as witnesses refers to people who have seen or heard some event and can tell others what has happened.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

“You are all witnesses today (Good News Translation)
-or-
“You are witnesses that today (New Living Translation (2004))

If your language does not have a word for witnesses, here is another way to translate it:

“You are the ones who can tell others what you saw.

all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon: The Hebrew text is literally says, “all that ⌊is⌋ to Elimelech, and all that ⌊is⌋ to Kilion and Mahlon.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

that I have bought from Naomi everything that belonged to Elimelech and to his sons Chilion and Mahlon (Good News Translation)
-or-
I am buying from Naomi everything that belonged to Elimelech and Kilion and Mahlon. (New Century Version)

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