Introduction to Ruth 4:7
Ruth 4:7 describes an ancient legal custom in Israel, specifically regarding the act of transferring property or legal rights through the symbolic gesture of removing one’s sandal. This verse occurs in the context of Boaz negotiating the redemption of land and marriage to Ruth. The phrase שָׁלַף אִ֛ישׁ נַעֲלֹ֖ו (“a man removed his sandal”) is a central focus of this discussion, as it signifies the completion of a legal agreement.
This article will analyze the linguistic structure and function of the verb שָׁלַף (“to remove”), its usage in legal discourse, and the broader implications of the sandal-removal custom in Biblical Hebrew law.
וְזֹאת֩ לְפָנִ֨ים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל עַל־הַגְּאוּלָּ֤ה וְעַל־הַתְּמוּרָה֙ לְקַיֵּ֣ם כָּל־דָּבָ֔ר שָׁלַ֥ף אִ֛ישׁ נַעֲלֹ֖ו וְנָתַ֣ן לְרֵעֵ֑הוּ וְזֹ֥את הַתְּעוּדָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
1. שָׁלַ֥ף אִ֛ישׁ נַעֲלֹ֖ו (shalaf ish na‘alo)
– Root: שָׁלַף (“to draw out, remove”)
– Form: Qal perfect 3rd masculine singular
– Translation: “A man removed his sandal”
– Function: This phrase describes the symbolic action that confirmed a legal transaction.
2. וְנָתַ֣ן לְרֵעֵ֑הוּ (wenatan lerei‘ehu)
– Root: נָתַן (“to give”)
– Form: Qal perfect 3rd masculine singular with vav-consecutive
– Translation: “and gave it to his neighbor”
– Function: Describes the transfer of the sandal as a legally binding act.
3. וְזֹ֥את הַתְּעוּדָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל (wezot hatte‘udah beyisra’el)
– Noun phrase: “and this was the testimony in Israel”
– Function: The phrase emphasizes that this action was a recognized legal testimony in Israelite culture.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
The Verb שָׁלַף in the Qal Perfect
The verb שָׁלַף (“to remove, draw out”) appears in the Qal perfect 3rd masculine singular form. The perfect tense in Biblical Hebrew generally indicates a completed action. Here, it describes the act of removing the sandal as an event that had already occurred, confirming the agreement.
– Lexical Function:
The root שָׁלַף is used elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible to describe drawing out a sword (e.g., Judges 3:22). The common semantic range suggests an act of forcefully taking out or pulling something away, which in this context conveys the official transfer of rights.
The Object נַעֲלֹ֖ו (“His Sandal”)
The noun נַעֲלֹ֖ו (“his sandal”) is in the construct state, meaning it is possessed by the subject of the verb שָׁלַף (“he removed”). The act of removing one’s sandal is known elsewhere in Israelite legal traditions, particularly in Deuteronomy 25:9, where a widow removes the sandal of a man who refuses to perform levirate marriage.
– Significance of the Sandal:
The sandal in Biblical Hebrew culture represented one’s right to walk upon and claim land. The removal of the sandal, then, symbolized the relinquishing of property rights or authority over a matter.
The Use of וְנָתַ֣ן (“And He Gave”)
The verb נָתַן (“to give”) follows the structure of a vav-consecutive, indicating a sequential action:
– The man first removed his sandal (שָׁלַף).
– Then, he gave it to another party (נָתַן).
This structure reflects a legal formula, ensuring that the transfer of rights was publicly witnessed and formally enacted.
The Clause וְזֹ֥את הַתְּעוּדָ֖ה (“And This Was the Testimony”)
The noun תְּעוּדָ֖ה (“testimony, confirmation”) signifies a legal precedent in Israel. The phrase בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל (“in Israel”) establishes this as a recognized practice within the community.
– Linguistic Function:
The word תְּעוּדָה comes from the root עוּד (“to bear witness”), reinforcing the idea that this act was an official public record of a completed transaction.
The Legal and Cultural Role of Sandal-Removal in Ancient Israel
1. Symbol of Legal Transaction
– The removal of the sandal publicly confirmed a contractual agreement.
– It transferred rights over land or property to another individual.
2. Contrast with Deuteronomy 25:9
– In the levirate marriage law, removing a sandal was a sign of disgrace for a man refusing his duty.
– In Ruth 4:7, however, it functioned as an honorable and lawful practice in property redemption.
3. Implications for the Book of Ruth
– The unnamed relative legally renounced his right to redeem Ruth and the land of Elimelech.
– Boaz, by contrast, legally secured his position through this custom.
The Significance of שָׁלַף אִישׁ נַעֲלֹו in Biblical Legal Practices
The act of removing the sandal in Ruth 4:7 reflects an ancient Israelite legal convention that formalized transactions. The use of שָׁלַף in the Qal perfect emphasizes that the action was complete and binding, while the addition of נָתַן reinforces the public exchange of authority.
This symbolic gesture underscores the structured nature of Israelite law, ensuring clear documentation and communal recognition of legal agreements.
