Ruth 3:12
New International Version
Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I.

New Living Translation
But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am.

English Standard Version
And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I.

Berean Standard Bible
Yes, it is true that I am a kinsman-redeemer, but there is a redeemer nearer than I.

King James Bible
And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

New King James Version
Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.

New American Standard Bible
But now, although it is true that I am a redeemer, yet there is also a redeemer more closely related than I.

NASB 1995
“Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.

NASB 1977
“And now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.

Legacy Standard Bible
But now it is true I am a kinsman redeemer; however, there is a kinsman redeemer closer than I.

Amplified Bible
It is true that I am your close relative and redeemer; however, there is a relative closer [to you] than I.

Christian Standard Bible
Yes, it is true that I am a family redeemer, but there is a redeemer closer than I am.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Yes, it is true that I am a family redeemer, but there is a redeemer closer than I am.

American Standard Version
And now it is true that I am a near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

Contemporary English Version
It's true that I am one of the relatives who is supposed to take care of you, but there is someone who is an even closer relative.

English Revised Version
And now it is true that I am a near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It is true that I am a close relative of yours, but there is a relative closer than I.

Good News Translation
It is true that I am a close relative and am responsible for you, but there is a man who is a closer relative than I am.

International Standard Version
It's true that I'm your related redeemer, but there is another related redeemer even closer than I.

Majority Standard Bible
Yes, it is true that I am a kinsman-redeemer, but there is a redeemer nearer than I.

NET Bible
Now yes, it is true that I am a guardian, but there is another guardian who is a closer relative than I am.

New Heart English Bible
Now it is true that I am a redeeming kinsman; however there is a redeemer closer than I am.

Webster's Bible Translation
And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: yet there is a kinsman nearer than I.

World English Bible
Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And now, surely, true, that I [am] a redeemer, but also there is a redeemer nearer than I.

Young's Literal Translation
And now, surely, true, that I am a redeemer, but also there is a redeemer nearer than I.

Smith's Literal Translation
And now that truly if I a blood relation: and also there is a blood relation nearer than I.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Neither do I deny myself to be near of kin, but there is another nearer than I.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Neither do I deny myself to be a near relative, but there is another nearer than I.

New American Bible
Now, I am in fact a redeemer, but there is another redeemer closer than I.

New Revised Standard Version
But now, though it is true that I am a near kinsman, there is another kinsman more closely related than I.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And now it is true that I am a near kinsman; however, there is another kinsman nearer than I.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And now, in truth, I am a redeemer of inheritance, however, there is another who redeems inheritance, for he is nearer than I
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And now it is true that I am a near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And now I am truly akin to thee; nevertheless there is a kinsman nearer than I.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ruth Claims Boaz as Kinsman
11And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Yes, it is true that I am a kinsman-redeemer, but there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13Stay here tonight, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, good. Let him redeem you. But if he does not want to redeem you, as surely as the LORD lives, I will. Now lie here until morning.”…

Cross References
Leviticus 25:25
If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.

Deuteronomy 25:5-10
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ...

Ruth 2:20
Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”

Ruth 4:1-6
Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. / Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. / And he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. ...

Genesis 38:8
Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”

Numbers 27:8-11
Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. / If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. / If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. ...

Matthew 22:24-28
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. / The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh. ...

Mark 12:19-23
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children. / Then the second one married the widow, but he also died and left no children. And the third did likewise. ...

Luke 20:28-33
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless. / Then the second ...

Galatians 4:4-5
But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, / to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.

Hebrews 2:14-15
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

1 Corinthians 15:45-49
So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam a life-giving spirit. / The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. / The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. ...

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Colossians 1:14
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.


Treasury of Scripture

And now it is true that I am your near kinsman: however, there is a kinsman nearer than I.

there is

Ruth 4:1
Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

Matthew 7:12
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

1 Thessalonians 4:6
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

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Although Close Closer Howbeit However Kin Kinsman Kinsman-Redeemer Nearer Redeemer Redemption Relation Relative Right Surely True.
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Although Close Closer Howbeit However Kin Kinsman Kinsman-Redeemer Nearer Redeemer Redemption Relation Relative Right Surely True.
Ruth 3
1. By Naomi's instruction
5. Ruth lies at Boaz's feet
8. Boaz acknowledges the right of a kinsman
14. He sends her away with six measures of barley














Although it is true
This phrase introduces a statement of fact, acknowledging the reality of the situation. In Hebrew, the word used here is "אָמְנָם" (omnam), which conveys certainty and affirmation. Boaz is affirming his role and responsibility, which is a key theme in the book of Ruth—truth and integrity. This sets the stage for the unfolding of God's providential plan, reminding us that truth is foundational in God's dealings with humanity.

I am a kinsman-redeemer
The term "kinsman-redeemer" is translated from the Hebrew word "גֹּאֵל" (go'el). This role was a significant part of Israelite family law, where a close relative had the duty to redeem a family member in distress, whether by buying back land, marrying a widow, or avenging blood. Boaz's acknowledgment of his position as a kinsman-redeemer highlights the themes of loyalty, family duty, and God's provision through the law. It also foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Christ, our Redeemer.

there is a redeemer nearer than I
Boaz's statement here is crucial, as it shows his adherence to the law and respect for the proper order of redemption. The Hebrew word for "nearer" is "קָרוֹב" (qarov), indicating proximity in relationship. This reflects Boaz's integrity and humility, as he does not presume to bypass the legal rights of another. It also introduces tension in the narrative, as the reader is left to wonder how God's plan for Ruth and Naomi will unfold. This phrase reminds us of the importance of patience and trust in God's timing and order.

Verse 12. - And now it is the case of a truth that while I am a kinsman, there is yet a kinsman nearer than I. Or the rendering might with greater brevity be given thus: And now of a truth I am a kinsman; and yet there is a kinsman nearer than I. The survivals of a very ancient style of elaborately-detailed composition are here preserved. The archaism, however, was not quite appreciated by the Mazorites, who, in accordance with the spirit of the age in which they flourished, took but little note of the philological development, historical and prehistorical, of the language they were handling. Hence they suppressed the אִם in K'ri, though faithfully preserving it in C'tib. The particles, standing up and semi-isolated, palaeolithic-wise, might be accounted for in some such way as is shown in the following paraphrase: "And now (I declare) 'that' of a truth (it is the case) 'that if (I declare the whole truth) I (am) a kinsman, and also there is a kinsman nearer than I." Boas was of that strictly honorable cast of mind that he could not for a moment entertain any project that might amount to a disregard of the rights of others, even although these rights should fly violently in the teeth own personal desires.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Yes,
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

it is true
אָמְנָ֔ם (’ā·mə·nām)
Conjunction
Strong's 551: Verily, truly

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I [am]
אָנֹ֑כִי (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

a kinsman-redeemer,
גֹאֵ֖ל (ḡō·’êl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

but
וְגַ֛ם (wə·ḡam)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

there is
יֵ֥שׁ (yêš)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

a redeemer
גֹּאֵ֖ל (gō·’êl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

nearer
קָר֥וֹב (qā·rō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7138: Near

than I.
מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ (mim·men·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of


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OT History: Ruth 3:12 Now it is true that (Ru Rut.)
Ruth 3:11
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