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587 B
587 B
kinsman nearer than I
It was the duty of the closest male relative to help the widow.
if he will perform for you the duty of a kinsman
Boaz is referring to the expectation that the closest male relative of Ruth's dead husband would marry her and help carry on his family name. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit)
by the life of Yahweh
"as surely as Yahweh lives." This was a common Hebrew vow.