Ruth 3 · Verse 12

Ruth 3:12

And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
Ruth 3:12, King James Version

Ruth 3:12 in other translations

BSBYes, it is true that I am a kinsman-redeemer, but there is a redeemer nearer than I.
WEBNow it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I.
ASVAnd now it is true that I am a near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
YLTAnd now, surely, true, that I am a redeemer, but also there is a redeemer nearer than I.
DARBYAnd now, truly I am one that has the right of redemption, yet there is one that has the right of redemption who is nearer than I.
BBENow it is true that I am a near relation: but there is a relation nearer than I.
WebsterAnd now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: yet there is a kinsman nearer than I.

What does Ruth 3:12 mean?

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 12 There is a kinsman nearer than I - It is very likely that Naomi was not acquainted with this circumstance. Some have supposed that there was a brother of Elimelech remaining, who was nearer than Boaz, who is supposed to have been only a nephew; the former, therefore, must have a prior right.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ruth 3:6-13

What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or another nation. Being a judge of Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person. The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of…

Read the full comment on Ruth 3:6-13 →

Ruth 3:12 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְעַתָּה֙ve.'a.Tahand thereforeH6258
כִּ֣יkiforH3588
אָמְנָ֔ם'a.me.NamtrulyH551
כִּ֥יkithatH3588
[ ][ ]
גֹאֵ֖לgo.'El[am] a kinsman-redeemerH1350
אָנֹ֑כִי'a.No.khiIH595
וְגַ֛םve.Gamand alsoH1571
יֵ֥שׁyeshthereH3426
גֹּאֵ֖לgo.'El[is] a kinsman-redeemerH1350
קָר֥וֹבka.RovnearH7138
מִמֶּֽנִּי\׃mi.Me.nimore than IH4480

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ruth 3:12

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
there is.
4:1; Mt 7:12; 1Th 4:6

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ruth 3:11

    And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

  • Ruth 3:12

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

  • Ruth 3:13

    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 will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.

Read all of Ruth 3

Ruth 3:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y ahora, aunque es cierto que yo soy pariente cercano, con todo eso hay pariente más cercano que yo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et maintenant, il est bien vrai que j’ai le droit de rachat, toutefois il y en a un qui a le droit de rachat, et qui est plus proche que moi.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und nun, wahrlich, ich bin ein Blutsverwandter; doch ist auch ein näherer Blutsverwandter da als ich.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nec abnuo me propinquum, sed est alius me propinquior.