Rut 4:4 | TNotes | STEP | 4:4 redeem it: The law called for a near relative, the family redeemer, to buy land when a landowner had to sell it (see Lev 25:23-34 ). This practice kept land in the family; the redeemer was a conservator for the land until the destitute landowner could recover economically and buy it back. • All right, I’ll redeem it: The kinsman could see a great opportunity—there was no male heir and no apparent likelihood that there would be one, so he could add the land to his own estate while doing his social duty for the family.

bLev 25:23-34►

‏ Ruth 4:4

4:4 ^a redeem it: The law called for a near relative, the family redeemer, to buy land when a landowner had to sell it (see Lev 25:23-34 ^b). This practice kept land in the family; the redeemer was a conservator for the land until the destitute landowner could recover economically and buy it back.

• All right, I’ll redeem it: The kinsman could see a great opportunity—there was no male heir and no apparent likelihood that there would be one, so he could add the land to his own estate while doing his social duty for the family.