Detailed English Explanation
1. “Now this was the manner in former time in Israel”
The verse begins by explaining that the custom being described belonged to an earlier period in Israel’s history. The writer of Ruth is giving the reader background information because this particular legal practice may not have been familiar to later readers.
The phrase “in former time” shows that the author is explaining an old tradition. In that period, important legal matters could be confirmed through symbolic actions witnessed by other people.
This is significant because Ruth 4 is not simply a private conversation between Boaz and another relative. The redemption of Naomi’s property and the responsibility connected with Ruth were matters that required public recognition.
2. “Concerning redeeming and concerning changing”
The words “redeeming” and “changing” refer to legal transactions involving property and rights.
In the story of Ruth, Naomi had returned to Bethlehem after losing her husband and sons. Boaz was involved in the process of redemption because there was a family relationship and an inheritance connected with Naomi’s deceased husband.
The nearer kinsman had the first opportunity to redeem the property. However, when he understood that accepting the complete responsibility would also involve Ruth, he declined.
The matter therefore had to be settled properly and publicly.
3. “For to confirm all things”
The purpose of the custom was confirmation. The agreement needed to be made certain and recognizable to the community.
This teaches an important principle: serious commitments should not be treated casually. When something involves property, family responsibility, inheritance, or legal rights, it is important that the matter be clearly established.
Boaz did not simply assume that the nearer relative had given up his right. The transaction was publicly confirmed before witnesses.
The biblical account therefore demonstrates the value of honesty, clarity, and accountability.
4. “A man plucked off his shoe”
The removal of the shoe was a symbolic action connected with the legal transaction.
The shoe represented a person’s possession, movement, or right to walk upon land. By removing the shoe and giving it to another person, the action became a visible testimony connected with the transfer or relinquishment of a right.
The physical action made the agreement understandable to everyone present. Instead of merely saying that a right had been surrendered, the parties performed an action that served as evidence of the agreement.
This reminds us that biblical customs sometimes used ordinary objects to communicate serious legal realities.
5. “And gave it to his neighbour”
The shoe was given to the other party. This demonstrated that the matter had been settled.
The transaction was not hidden. It was conducted publicly, allowing witnesses to recognize what had happened. The nearer kinsman had the opportunity to redeem the property, but he declined. Boaz then proceeded according to the established legal process.
This public action also protected the parties from future disputes. If questions later arose about who had the right to redeem the property, witnesses could remember the agreement that had been publicly confirmed.
6. “And this was a testimony in Israel”
The word “testimony” is especially important. The action served as evidence or a public witness to what had taken place.
The community could recognize the meaning of the act. It was not merely an unusual gesture; it was a recognized legal sign.
In the wider story of Ruth, this testimony helped establish the legitimacy of Boaz’s actions. Boaz was not taking something that belonged to another man. Instead, the nearer relative had openly surrendered his opportunity, and the transaction was confirmed according to the custom of the time.
Spiritual Lessons from Ruth 4:7
Ruth 4:7 contains several valuable spiritual lessons.
God Values Integrity and Order
The story demonstrates that important matters should be handled honestly and openly. Boaz did not secretly arrange the redemption. He followed the accepted process and respected the rights of the nearer kinsman.
For believers, this provides an example of integrity. Doing what is right includes respecting other people’s rights and responsibilities.
Important Commitments Should Be Taken Seriously
The shoe ceremony shows that agreements had consequences. A person could not casually make or break an important commitment.
In our own lives, our words and promises should also be treated seriously. Trust is strengthened when people are honest and dependable.
Public Witness Can Establish Truth
The transaction was witnessed by others. The community was able to recognize that the legal matter had been settled.
This reminds us that transparency can protect relationships. When important matters are handled openly and honestly, there is less opportunity for confusion and unnecessary conflict.
Redemption Is Central to the Story of Ruth
Ruth 4:7 is part of a larger story of redemption. Boaz eventually becomes the redeemer who accepts the responsibility that the nearer kinsman refused.
The story moves from sorrow and loss toward restoration and hope. Naomi, who had experienced tremendous grief, eventually sees her family line restored.
The legal ceremony described in Ruth 4:7 is therefore an important step toward the resolution of the entire story.
Detailed Urdu Explanation
“Now this was the manner in former time in Israel”
اس آیت میں اسرائیل کے قدیم زمانے کے ایک قانونی رواج کی وضاحت کی گئی ہے۔ اُس زمانے میں بعض اہم معاملات کو صرف زبانی طور پر طے نہیں کیا جاتا تھا بلکہ ایک مخصوص ظاہری عمل کے ذریعے اس کی تصدیق کی جاتی تھی۔
روتھ کی کتاب کے چوتھے باب میں بوعز، قریبی رشتہ دار، اور شہر کے بزرگوں کے سامنے ایک اہم معاملہ طے کر رہا تھا۔ اس لیے ضروری تھا کہ اس معاملے کو واضح اور باقاعدہ طریقے سے مکمل کیا جائے۔
“Concerning redeeming and concerning changing”
یہ الفاظ جائیداد کے چھڑانے، حق منتقل کرنے اور قانونی معاملہ تبدیل کرنے کی طرف اشارہ کرتے ہیں۔
نومی اپنے شوہر اور بیٹوں کو کھو چکی تھی۔ خاندان کی زمین اور وراثت سے متعلق حقوق بھی ایک اہم مسئلہ تھے۔ قریبی رشتہ دار کو پہلے حق حاصل تھا کہ وہ اس معاملے میں ذمہ داری قبول کرے، لیکن جب اسے معلوم ہوا کہ اس ذمہ داری میں روتھ بھی شامل ہوگی تو اس نے اپنا حق چھوڑ دیا۔
اس کے بعد بوعز نے یہ ذمہ داری قبول کرنے کے لیے قانونی طریقہ اختیار کیا۔
“For to confirm all things”
اس کا مقصد تمام باتوں کی تصدیق کرنا تھا۔ یعنی جو فیصلہ کیا جا رہا تھا وہ واضح، مضبوط اور گواہوں کے سامنے ہونا چاہیے تھا۔
یہ ہمارے لیے بھی ایک اہم سبق ہے کہ بڑے معاملات میں وضاحت اور دیانت داری ضروری ہے۔ بوعز نے کسی پوشیدہ طریقے سے معاملہ حل نہیں کیا بلکہ بزرگوں اور لوگوں کے سامنے اسے باقاعدہ طور پر مکمل کیا۔
“A man plucked off his shoe”
قدیم اسرائیل میں جوتا اتارنے کا یہ عمل ایک علامتی قانونی نشانی تھا۔ جوتا زمین پر چلنے اور زمین سے تعلق رکھنے کی علامت بھی سمجھا جاتا تھا۔ اسے اتار کر دوسرے شخص کو دینا اس قانونی معاملے کے مکمل ہونے کی ظاہری گواہی تھی۔
آج کے زمانے میں قانونی معاملات کے لیے دستخط، دستاویزات اور معاہدے استعمال ہوتے ہیں، لیکن اُس زمانے میں مختلف علامتی اعمال بھی قانونی تصدیق کے طور پر استعمال ہوتے تھے۔
“And gave it to his neighbour”
جوتا دوسرے شخص کو دینا اس بات کی علامت تھا کہ متعلقہ حق یا ذمہ داری کے بارے میں فیصلہ ہو چکا ہے۔
اس عمل کے ذریعے وہاں موجود لوگ جان سکتے تھے کہ معاملہ طے ہو گیا ہے۔ یہ ایک ایسا عوامی عمل تھا جو مستقبل میں کسی اختلاف کی صورت میں گواہی فراہم کر سکتا تھا۔
“And this was a testimony in Israel”
یہ پورا عمل اسرائیل میں ایک گواہی سمجھا جاتا تھا۔ یعنی جوتا اتارنے اور دینے کا عمل اس بات کا ثبوت تھا کہ قانونی معاملہ مکمل ہو چکا ہے۔
یہ آیت ہمیں یاد دلاتی ہے کہ خدا کے کلام میں تاریخی اور قانونی پس منظر بھی اہم ہے۔ جب ہم قدیم اسرائیل کے رسم و رواج کو سمجھتے ہیں تو روتھ کی کہانی کا مطلب مزید واضح ہو جاتا ہے۔
Ruth 4:7 and the Character of Boaz
روتھ کی پوری کتاب میں بوعز کا کردار دیانت، ذمہ داری اور رحم دلی کے ساتھ سامنے آتا ہے۔ اس آیت میں بھی وہ قانونی طریقہ کار کا احترام کرتا ہے۔
بوعز نے قریبی رشتہ دار کے حق کو نظر انداز نہیں کیا۔ پہلے اسے موقع دیا گیا، پھر اس کے انکار کے بعد معاملہ گواہوں کے سامنے مکمل ہوا۔
یہ رویہ ہمیں سکھاتا ہے کہ درست مقصد حاصل کرنے کے لیے درست طریقہ اختیار کرنا بھی ضروری ہے۔