Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Bryant J. Williams III" <bjwvmw AT com-pair.net>]

Dear George, et al,

Are we not forgetting verses 12-13,

"And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman
nearer than I. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he 
will
perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part:
but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then I will do the part 
of
a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning."

It should be noted that 4:1-12 gives evidence that that is exactly what Boaz
did. Naomi now had a son (grandson), Obed, to carry on Elimelech's family name
that it not be stricken out of the families of Judah and Israel. The story is
clear, simple and matter-of-fact. Unless there is any indication from the
grammar, context, genre, et cetera, there is no need to go further.

En Xristwi,

Rev. Bryant J. Williams III
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "George Athas" <george.athas AT moore.edu.au>
To: <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, August 27, 2007 2:41 PM
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] uncovering Boaz' 'footsies' was Samson at Gaza -Judges
16:1


> Hi James!
>
> The point is not 'to give Boaz a good time'. The point was that Ruth (at
> Naomi's bidding) was trying to force Boaz' hand. By getting him to sleep
> with her (knowingly or unknowingly), he would be obliged to take her into
> his own household. It was risky for Ruth, for it could have backfired,
> resulting in her expulsion from Boaz' care. Yet, the ploy works, and Boaz
> evidently does not feel trapped by this, but rather welcomes the situation.
>
> This puts the whole scenario of what actually happened in question. The text
> simply does not say whether 'it' happened or not. Perhaps Ruth only wanted
> to make Boaz think that he had slept with her. Perhaps she went all the way
> to make sure of it. The narrative is silent here, except for making the
> point that it all had to happen in secret. And the result was the one Ruth
> and Naomi were looking for.
>
> The text leaves it up to us to fill in the gap. I guess we'll never know for
> sure...
>
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> GEORGE ATHAS
> Moore Theological College (Sydney)
> 1 King St, Newtown, NSW 2042, Australia
> Ph: (+61 2) 9577 9774
>
>
>
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