Thematic Bible: Widow's dower in

Then Boaz said to the close relative: Naomi has come back from the country of Moab. She is offering for a price that bit of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. I am giving you a chance to take it with the approval of those seated here, the responsible men of my people. If you are ready to do what it is right for a relative to do, then do it. If you will not do it, say so to me now. There is no one who has the right to do it but you, and after you, myself. And he said: I will do it. Then Boaz said: On the day when you take this field, you will have to take with it Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, so that you may keep the name of the dead living in his heritage. read more.
The near relative said: I am not able to redeem it for myself, for fear of damaging the heritage I have. You may do it in my place, for I am not able to do it myself. It was the custom for the seller to take off his sandal and give to the buyer to settle a sale or exchange of property. By doing this, Israelites showed that the matter was settled. So when the man said to Boaz: You buy it, he took off his sandal and gave it to Boaz. Then Boaz said to the leaders and all the others there: You are all witnesses today that I have bought from Naomi everything that belonged to Elimelech and to his sons Chilion and Mahlon.