Sandal of the Kinsman Redeemer

Ruth 4:1-12. The removal of the sandal was a symbol of the transaction having taken place.
By removing his sandal the kinsman redeemer means that he has given up his rights of redeeming the property and also Ruth.
So Boaz the next kinsman redeemer is free to redeem now and that included marrying Ruth and redeeming her husband’s property.

Jesus is our kinsman redeemer. He has redeemed us from sin and is going to present us to His father as His; bride, Revelation 20:22.

Boaz was from the town of Bethlehem and from the tribe of Judah.

Boaz in Hebrew means: Strength, fleetness.
Boaz and Ruth were married about 1120BC.

Background Reading:

The Sandal – Boaz Acts to Fulfill His Responsibilities

4:1 Meanwhile, Boaz approached the city gate and sat down there. Just then, the very same related redeemer whom Boaz had mentioned came by, so Boaz called out to him, “Come over and sit down here, my friend!” So the man came over and sat down.

2 Boaz selected ten of the town elders and spoke to them, “Sit down here.” So they sat down 3 and Boaz addressed the related redeemer directly: “A portion of a field belonging to our relative Elimelech is up for sale by Naomi, who recently returned from the country of Moab. 4 So I thought to myself I ought to tell you that you must make a public purchase of this before the town residents and the elders of my people. So if you intend to act as the related redeemer, then do so. But if not, let me know, because except for you—and I after you—there is no one to fulfill the duties of a related redeemer.”

The man responded, “I will act as related redeemer.”

A Complication Arises and is Resolved

5 Boaz continued, “On the very day you buy the field from Naomi, you’re also “buying” Ruth the Moabite woman, the wife of her dead husband, so the family name may be continued as an inheritance.”

6 At this, the nearer related redeemer replied, “Then I am unable to act as related redeemer, because that would complicate my own inheritance. You act instead as the related redeemer, because I cannot do so.”

7 During Israel’s earlier history, all things concerning redeeming or changing inheritances were confirmed by a man taking off his sandal and giving it to the other party, thereby creating a public record in Israel. 8 So when the nearer related redeemer told Boaz, “Make the purchase yourself,” he then took off his sandal.

Boaz’s Public Commitment

9 At this, Boaz addressed the elders and all of the people: “You all are witnesses today that I hereby redeem everything from Naomi that belonged to Elimelech, including what belonged to Chilion and Mahlon, 10 along with Mahlon’s wife Ruth the Moabite woman. I will marry her to continue the family name as an inheritance, so that the name of the deceased does not disappear from among his relatives, nor from the public record. You are all witnesses today!”

11 Then all of the assembled people, including the elders who were there, said, “We are witnesses! May the LORD make this woman who enters your house like Rachel and Leah, who together established the house of Israel. May you prosper in Ephrathah, and may you excel in Bethlehem! 12 Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore for Judah, from the offspring that the LORD gives you from this young woman.”
Ruth 4:1-12


Other slides in this module: