John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And he took ten men of the elders of the city , etc.] Who were such, not merely in age but in office, who were the heads of thousands, fifties, and tens; ten of whom were a quorum to do business in judiciary affairs, to determine such matters as Boaz had propose, as to whom the right of redemption of a brother and kinsman’s widow, and her estate, belonged, and who were the proper witnesses of the refusal of the one to do it, and of the other’s doing it and from hence the Jews gather, that the blessing of the bride and bridegroom at their marriage is not to be done by less than ten persons: and said, sit down here, and they sat down ; and so made a full court.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - This matter depended on the laws given by Moses about inheritances, an doubtless the whole was settled in the regular and legal manner. Thi kinsman, when he heard the conditions of the bargain, refused it. I like manner many are shy of the great redemption; they are not willin to espouse religion; they have heard well of it, and have nothing to say against it; they will give it their good word, but they are willin to part with it, and cannot be bound to it, for fear of marring their own inheritance in this world. The right was resigned to Boaz. Fair an open dealing in all matters of contract and trade, is what all mus make conscience of, who would approve themselves true Israelites without guile. Honesty will be found the best policy.
Original Hebrew ויקח3947 עשׂרה6235 אנשׁים582 מזקני2205 העיר5892 ויאמר559 שׁבו3427 פה6311 וישׁבו׃3427
