Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.
Stay here tonight, and in the morning we'll see what happens. If he is willing to fulfill his duty as your family redeemer, that's good—let him do it. But if he won't take responsibility for you as a relative should, then I promise before the LORD that I will do it myself. Now lie down here until morning.
Boaz is promising Ruth that either her closer relative will take care of her according to family law, or he himself will step up and do what's right by her.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, when a man died leaving a widow, his nearest male relative had the legal and moral duty to marry her and care for her, called being a 'kinsman-redeemer.' Boaz had just discovered there was actually a closer relative than himself who had the first right to this responsibility. This conversation happens at the threshing floor where Ruth had come to seek Boaz's protection.
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