He said to the near kinsman, “Naomi, who has come back out of the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 3. Will sell. Some Latin copies read, “sells, or has sold.” But the sequel shews that she was only now disposed to do it. But what right had Noemi or Ruth to the land, since women could not inherit? The latter might indeed retain her title, as long as she continued unmarried. But Noemi only acted in her behalf. Selden thinks that their respective husbands had made them a present of some land. Josephus (verse 11) asserts, that the person whom Booz addressed had already possession, and that he resigned his claim, as he would not take au other wife. Calmet.—Our brother. He was his nephew, and calls him brother, as Abraham did Lot. Worthington.