John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. And I thought to advertise thee , etc.] To give him notice of it; or “I said” f71 ; he said in his heart and mind, purposing to do it; or he said it to Ruth, promising her that he would do it: saying, buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people ; or before those that sat there, even the elders, as witnesses of the purchase: if thou wilt redeem it, redeem it : for it was redeemable by a near kinsman according to the law, even when said to another, in ( Leviticus 25:25), but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know ; what to do in this affair, whether to redeem it or not: for there is none to redeem it besides thee, and I am after thee ; he was the first, and Boaz was the next near kinsman, to whom the right of redemption belonged: and he said, I will redeem it : he chose to make the purchase, he liked the land, which he probably full well knew, and it might lie near his own, and make a good addition to it; and as the widow was determined, and under a necessity to sell, he might expect to have it at a cheap rate; all which might induce him at once to agree to be the purchaser.
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 ואני589 אמרתי559 אגלה1540 אזנך241 לאמר559 קנה7069 נגד5048 הישׁבים3427 ונגד5048 זקני2205 עמי5971 אם518 תגאל1350 גאל1350 ואם518 לא3808 יגאל1350 הגידה5046 לי ואדע3045 כי3588 אין369 זולתך2108 לגאול1350 ואנכי595 אחריך310 ויאמר559 אנכי595 אגאל׃1350
