Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.
Now this was the custom in earlier times in Israel when it came to buying back property and making exchanges. To make any deal official, a man would take off his sandal and give it to the other person. This served as proof of the agreement in Israel.
The writer is explaining an old Israeli custom where removing and exchanging a sandal was like signing a contract to make business deals official.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israelite society, the act of removing a shoe was a customary ritual to confirm legal agreements, such as redeeming property or transferring rights, symbolizing the transfer of possession in a public and binding way. This practice ensured that transactions were witnessed and could not be easily disputed, serving as a tangible testimony in a culture that valued oral and symbolic commitments. In the Book of Ruth, this custom is depicted during Boaz's redemption of Naomi's land and Ruth's marriage, highlighting the importance of family lineage and inheritance in Israelite law.
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