Introduction to Ruth 4:4
Ruth 4:4 records Boaz’s formal negotiation regarding the redemption of Naomi’s land and the levirate marriage to Ruth. The passage features legal terminology and speech formulas used in contracts and public declarations. A key grammatical aspect in this verse is the use of imperative and cohortative forms, which convey commands, requests, and volitional actions. This article will examine these forms in Ruth 4:4, their functions, and their nuances in Biblical Hebrew.
וַאֲנִ֨י אָמַ֜רְתִּי אֶגְלֶ֧ה אָזְנְךָ֣ לֵאמֹ֗ר קְ֠נֵה נֶ֥גֶד הַֽיֹּשְׁבִים֮ וְנֶ֣גֶד זִקְנֵ֣י עַמִּי֒ אִם־תִּגְאַל֙ גְּאָ֔ל וְאִם־לֹ֨א יִגְאַ֜ל הַגִּ֣ידָה לִּ֗י וְאֵדְעָה כִּ֣י אֵ֤ין זוּלָֽתְךָ֙ לִגְאֹ֔ול וְאָנֹכִ֖י אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אָנֹכִ֥י אֶגְאָֽל׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
The verse contains three key imperative and cohortative forms:
1. קְנֵה (q’neh) – “Buy!” (Imperative)
2. גְּאָ֔ל (gəʾal) – “Redeem!” (Imperative)
3. הַגִּ֣ידָה (haggidah) – “Declare!” (Imperative with paragogic ה)
4. וְאֵדְעָה (veʾedʿah) – “Then I will know” (Cohortative)
These forms are integral to the legal and rhetorical function of the passage, indicating commands, requests, and volitional statements.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
1. קְנֵה (q’neh) – “Buy!”
– Form: This is an imperative verb, second-person masculine singular, from the root קָנָה (qanah, “to acquire, buy”).
– Function: Boaz commands the potential redeemer to purchase the land before the elders, establishing the legal framework for the transaction.
– Imperative Force: The lack of a subject pronoun reinforces the direct and authoritative nature of the command.
2. גְּאָ֔ל (gəʾal) – “Redeem!”
– Form: This is an imperative, second-person masculine singular, from the root גָּאַל (gaʾal, “to redeem”).
– Function: Boaz presents the legal obligation for redemption to the unnamed redeemer, pressing him for an immediate response.
– Reinforcement by Conditional Clause: The imperative is framed within an אִם (“if”) conditional clause: אִם־תִּגְאַל גְּאָ֔ל (“If you redeem, redeem!”). This redundancy emphasizes urgency and expectation.
3. הַגִּ֣ידָה (haggidah) – “Declare!”
– Form: This is an imperative with a paragogic ה (suffix ה indicating an emphatic or softened command).
– Root: נָגַד (nagad, “to tell, declare”).
– Function: The paragogic ה sometimes softens a command, making it a request or appeal rather than a strict order.
– Legal Rhetoric: Boaz asks for an explicit verbal response in front of the elders, following the principles of public testimony.
4. וְאֵדְעָה (veʾedʿah) – “Then I will know”
– Form: This is a cohortative, first-person singular from the root יָדַע (yadaʿ, “to know”).
– Function: The cohortative expresses Boaz’s personal volition—he wishes to gain clarity on the redeemer’s decision.
– Stylistic Impact: The cohortative adds a sense of expectation and resolution; Boaz is not merely awaiting an answer but preparing for action based on the response.
The Role of Imperative and Cohortative Forms in Biblical Hebrew
Imperatives and cohortatives in Hebrew serve essential functions in legal and rhetorical contexts:
– Imperatives are direct commands, often found in legal settings where a speaker exerts authority or urgency.
– Paragogic ה on imperatives can soften or intensify a command.
– Cohortatives indicate volition, desire, or personal commitment, often used in negotiation and pledges.
In Ruth 4:4, these forms shape the structure of the legal discussion, reinforcing Boaz’s authority and pressing the redeemer for a decisive action.
