Ruth 2:1

EXPOSITION

IT is by way of introduction to the remaining narrative that the writer says:—

And Naomi had, on her husband's side, a friend. The C'tib reading מְיֻדַּע (absolute מְיֻדָע ) is much to be preferred to the K'ri מוֹדַע . But מְיֻדָּע is ambiguous in import. It primarily means known , well-known , acquainted , an acquaintance (see Job 19:14 ; Psalms 55:13 ; Psalms 88:8 , Psalms 88:18 ). But as intimate acquaintances, especially in a primitive and comparatively unwelded state of society, are generally found within the circle of kinsfolk, the word may be used, and is here used, in reference to a kinsman . The Vulgate translates it consanguineus . The translation is interpretatively correct; but the original term is less definite, and hence, in virtue of the ambiguity, there is not absolute redundancy in the appended clause, of the family or elan of Elimelech . This friend of Naomi on her husband s side is said, in King James's version, to be a mighty man of wealth. But the expression so rendered has, in the very numerous passages in which it occurs, a conventional import that stretches out in a different and nobler direction. It is the expression that is so frequently translated " a mighty man of valor (see Joshua 1:14 ; Joshua 6:2 ; Joshua 8:3 ; Joshua 10:7 ; 6:12 ; 11:1 , etc.). In only one other passage is it rendered as it is by King James's translators in the passage before us, viz; in 2 Kings 15:20 . There it is correctly so translated, interpretatively. Here there seems to be a leaning in the same direction, and yet it is not strongly pronounced. Cassel, however, takes the other cue, and translates "a valiant hero "Probably," says he "he had distinguished himself in the conflicts of Israel with their enemies." The expression originally means "strong in strength", but is ambiguous in consequence of the many-sided import of the latter word מִשְׁפָחָה , which means originally, either strength , and then valor ; or, clannish following (see Raabe), and then military host , or force , or forces ; also, faculty or ability , and then, as so often "answering all things," riches or wealth . The idea the writer seems to be that the friend of the widow's husband was a strong and substantial yeoman . He was of the family or clan of Elimelech. The word family is conventionally too narrow, and the word elan too broad, to represent the import of שָׂדֶה as here used. The idea intended lies somewhere between. And his name was Boaz. The root of this name is not found, apparently, in Hebrew, as was supposed by the older philologists, and hence its essential idea is as yet undetermined. Raabe finds its original form in the Sanscrit bhuvanti , which yields the idea of prosperousness .