Bible Strands
Ruth 4:6
The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The unnamed kinsman-redeemer speaks to Boaz at the city gate during a legal proceeding over Naomi’s estate. He responds directly to Boaz’s proposal to purchase the land and marry Ruth.
The words — הַגּוֹאֵל (ha-go'el) means "the kinsman-redeemer," and אַשְׁחִית ('ashchit) translates literally as "I should ruin." The speaker uses these terms to state that redeeming the property would destroy his own inheritance.
The thread — The duty of the nearest relative to redeem property appears in Leviticus 25:25, while the conditional redemption language echoes Ruth 3:13. This verse records the formal transfer of redemption rights from one kinsman to Boaz.
Why it lands — The text states that legal redemption carries tangible costs that can override familial obligation. It asks the reader to weigh personal inheritance against covenantal duty before accepting responsibility.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 25:25 If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.
- Ruth 3:13 Stay here tonight, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, good. Let him redeem you. But if he does not want to redeem you, as surely as the LORD lives, I will. Now lie here until morning.”