Ruth 4:6 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

The relative said, 'I can't buy it back for myself because it would damage my own inheritance. You take my right to buy it back, because I can't do it.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The closer relative refuses to buy back Naomi's land because marrying Ruth would complicate his own family inheritance.

📚 Historical Context

In ancient Israel, the nearest male relative had the legal right and responsibility to buy back family land that had been sold due to poverty, which was called 'redeeming' the property. However, this also included marrying the widow to continue the family line, which could affect how the redeemer's own inheritance would be divided among his children.

Explore Similar Verses

Joshua 17:4

They came to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua son of Nun, and to the leaders, saying, 'The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance along with our brothers.' So according to the LORD's command, Joshua gave them an inheritance along with their father's relatives.

Numbers 27:11

And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the closest relative in his family, and that person shall possess it. This shall be a permanent law for the people of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers 27:7

The daughters of Zelophehad are absolutely right in what they're asking. You must give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives, and you must let their father's inheritance pass to them.

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