John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming , etc.] It is a custom, and not a law, that seems here referred to, when an estate was bought and sold; not the law in ( Leviticus 25:25), though that respects the redemption of an estate by a near kinsman, yet no such manner was enjoined as here practised afterwards, made mention of; nor the law in ( Deuteronomy 25:5) which does not concern the redemption of estates, nor a kinsman’s marrying the widow of a deceased kinsman, but a brother’s marrying the widow of a deceased brother, and the rites and ceremonies there enjoined upon refusal are different from those here used; though Josephus is express for it, that the law is here referred to; but this is not only concerning purchase of estates, but “concerning changing” also one field for another as Aben Ezra interprets it: “for to confirm all things”; the following custom was observed for the confirmation of any bargain whatever, whether by sale or barter, and where there was no marriage in the case: a man plucked off his shoe and gave it to his neighbour ; signifying thereby, that he yielded his right to him in the thing sold or bartered; the Targum says, he plucked off the glove of his right hand, which perhaps was then in use, when the Targumist wrote, and answered the same purpose; and, according to Jarchi, it was a linen cloth, vail, or handkerchief, that was used, and delivered by the one to the other; and of this way of buying writes Elias f74 ; at this day, says he, we purchase by a linen cloth or handkerchief called “sudar”, which is a garment; and this two witnesses take, and explain before them the words of their agreement, and each of the witnesses stretches out the skirt of the garment, and those that take upon them to confirm every matter, touch the skirt of their garments; and this is called purchasing by “sudar”, or the linen cloth: and this was a testimony in Israel ; a witness to, or a confirmation of the bargain made; but who gave the shoe, whether the kinsman or Boaz, is not certain from the text; and about which the Jewish writers are divided, as Jarchi observes.
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 וזאת2063 לפנים6440 בישׂראל3478 על5921 הגאולה1353 ועל5921 התמורה8545 לקים6965 כל3605 דבר1697 שׁלף8025 אישׁ376 נעלו5275 ונתן5414 לרעהו7453 וזאת2063 התעודה8584 בישׂראל׃3478
