prior right; and the ceremony of the shoe witnessed by the ten men was a relinquishment of this right. It was the same as if the property had been his, and he was selling it to Boaz.
To all appearance the property had gone into possession of some one, and then awaited redemption. It was held as security for the debts of the deceased, the expenses of his burial, or the support of his family. The man who took the woman, from being nearest of kin, redeemed the property at the same time. He both raised up children to his relation, and restored the property to the family. In the year of jubilee it would come back to them, without any redemption. He who held it was presumed to get his pay from the use of it by that time. And its value was graded by the length of the period that intervened between his taking it and the recurrence of the jubilee. Lev. xxv. 15, 16.
The property is presumed to be land near Bethlehem ; and the Hebrew forms of law are observed in regard to it.
Boaz says he has purchased Ruth to be his wife. sounds strangely to us; but it was familiar to men of that age. Now, when we do substantially the same thing, we disguise and cover up the transaction with specious terms.
The ten elders and others that gathered at the gate of the city were witnesses. One of the company congratu lates Boaz on the consummation of this union, and gets off quite an eloquent speech for an impromptu effort. His first good wishes are bestowed on the wife. He passes then to the husband; and at last he combines both the wife and husband and their descendants. He makes some happy allusions to the ancient Scriptures, thus proving that they were in his possession.
He shall be a restorer of thy life. it in the children he would raise up. These were not his own, in the eyes of the law, but Mahlon's whose widow he had taken.
The genealogy here given shows that the prayer that Boaz might become "famous" was answered; for it shows that he was in the line of David's ancestors, and in the line of an ancestry rendered more famous by the Son of David," the Messiah.
The names here given are Pharez, Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nashon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse and David. We may learn a useful lesson from this list. It is, that we are not always suitable judges as to what portions of the sacred history ought to be in the Bible, and what ought not to be. The story of Judah and Tamar, recorded in Gen. xxxviii, has been often declared unfit for the place it occupies; but the result shows that it is a piece. of useful history, as it gives us the circumstances of the birth of Pharez, one of the ancestors of king David, and of the greater king, Jesus.
The genealogy in Matthew (ch. 1st) gives us the additional information that Salmon, one of these names, had Rahab for a wife, who was famous in the time of Joshua.
Dr. Clarke, after expressing his admiration of the simple methods of administering justice in those ancient times, glides easily and naturally into a strain of cutting sarcasm, of which all will judge the force. "A question of this kind, in one of our courts of justice, in these enlightened times, would require many day's previous preparation of the attorney, and several hours arguing between counselor Botherum, and counselor Borum, till even an enlightened and conscientious judge would find it extremely difficult to decide, whether Naomi might sell her own land, and whether Boaz or Peloni might buy it! O glorious uncertainty of modern law!"
Peloni-a word, used in the original, and denoting any one whose real name you do not care to give.
Abana, 159; Abdon, 155; Abel, 110, 122; Abel-beth-maachah,
110; Abel-carmim, 109; Ábel-maim, 110; Abel-meholah, 153;
Abel-shittim or Shittim, 105; Abez, 145; Accho, 149; Achor 122,
139; Achbor, 156; Achmetha, 159; Achsaph, 147; Achzib, 114,
147, 149; Adadah, 111; Adam, 153; Adamah, 150; Adami, 149;
Adar, 110, 121; Ádithaim, 113; Adullam, 113: Adummim, 111,
122; Ahlab, 149; Ai or Aijab, 140, 142; Ajalon or Aijalon, 127,
140, 145, 151, 152, 155; Ain, 111, 143, 155; Akrabbim or Maaleh-
akrabbim, 110, 120; Alammelech, 147; Alemeth, 140, 155; Allon,
149, 150; Almon, 140, 155; Aloth, 149; Amad, 147; Amam, 111;
Ammah, 136; Ammon, 156; Anab, 116; Anaharath, 145; Ana-
niah, 142; Anathoth, 140, 155; Anem, 155; Aner, 133, 155;
Anim, 116; Aphek, 147, 148; Aphekah, 116; Aphik, 146; Arab,
116; Arabah, 134; Arabia, 159; Arad, 121; Aram, 109, 157;
Arba, 117; Archi, 133, 134; Argob, 107, 108; Armenia, 159; Ar-
non, 105; Aroer, 104, 105, 124, 238: Arpad, 157; Aruboth, 126;
Ashan, 114, 143, 155; Ashdod, 114, 115; Asher, 147; Ashdoth-
pizgah, 104; Ashkelon, 114, 115: Áshnah, 112, 114; Ashteroth,
107, 155; Assyria, 157; Assur, 159; Asuppim, 139; Ataroth, 127,
133; Ataroth-adar, 127, 133, 134; Athach, 124; Ava, 157; Avim,
134, 135; Avith, 156; Azekah, 113; Azem, 111, 143; Azmaveth,
142; Azmon; 110, 121; Aznoth-tabor, 149; Azotus or Ashdod,
114, 115; Azzah, or Gaza, 114, 115.
Baalah, 111, 122, 123; Baalath, 151; Baalath-beer, 143; Baal-
gad, 154; Baal-hermon, 110; Baal-perazim, 139; Baal-shalisha,
142'; Baal-tamar, 141; Babylon, 157; Bahurim, 140; Balah, 143;
Bamoth-Baal, 103; Bashan, 107; Bealoth, 111; Beer, 154; Beer-
oth, 134, 136; Beersheba, 111, 143; Beesh terah, 109, 155; Bene-
berak, 151; Berachah, 125; Berothai, 158; Beta, 158; Beten,
147; Beth-anath, 118, 150; Beth-arabah, 111, 119, 134; Beth-
aram, 105, 106; Beth-aven, 133, 142; Beth-azmaveth, 142; Beth-
baal-meon, 103; Beth-bara, 134; Beth-berei, 143; Beth-car, 125;
Beth-dagon, 113, 114, 147, 148; Beth-eked, 153; Beth-el, 124,
133, 134; Beth-emek, 147; Beth- haccerim, 125; Beth hoglah, 111,
122, 134; Beth-horon, 127, 128, 133, 155; Beth-jeshimoth, 103;
Beth-lebaoth, 143; Beth-lehem, 124, 144; Beth-marcaboth, 143;
Beth-nimrah, 105, 106; Beth-palet, 111; Beth-pazzez, 145; Beth-
peor, 104; Beth-rehob, 149, 158; Beth-shan, 131; Beth-shemesh,
111, 112, 121, 145, 150, 155; Beth-shittah, 153; Beth-tappuah,
116; Bethul, 143; Beth-zur, 118; Betonim, 105, 106; Bezek,
124; Bezer, 154; Bezor, 159; Bileam, 155; Bilhah, 143; Bizjoth-
jah, 111; Bochim, 111, 112, 153; Bohan, 111; Bozez, 142; Boz
kath, 113; Bozrahi, 156.
Cabbon, 113; Cabul, 147, 149; Cain, 117; Caleb-ephratah, 125,
Camon, 108; Carmel, 117, 147; Charashim, 124; Chephar-haam-
monai, 134; Chephira, 134, 136; Cherith, 110; Chesalon, 111;
Chesil, 111; Chesulloth, 145; Chinnereth, 106, 150; Chisloth-
tabor, 144; Chorashan, 124; Chozeba, 125; Chun, 158; Cuth, 159;
Cuthah, 157.
Dabbasheth, 144; Daberath, 144, 146, 155; Damascus, 158;
Dan, 151, 152; Dan-jaan, 153; Dannah, 116; Dead Sea, 177; De-
bir, 105, 106, 116, 123, 155; Dibon, 104, 125; Dilean, 113; Dim-
nah, 155; Dimonah, 111; Dinhabah, 156; Dor, 131; Dothan, 154;
Dumab, 116.
Ebal, 128; Eben-ezer, 124, 125, 153; Ed, 110; Eden, 157;
Eder, 111; Edom or Seir, 156; Edrei, 107, 150, 151; Eglon, 113;
Egypt, 155; Ekron, 111, 114, 151, 152; Elah, 124; Elath, 156;
Eleph, 134; Elon, 151; Elon-beth-hanan, 125; Eltekeh, 151, 155;
Eltekon, 118; Eltolad, 111, 143; Enam, 113; Endor, 131, 132
En-gannim, 113, 145, 146, 155; En gedi, 119; En-haddab, 145;
En-hakkore, 125; En-hazor, 150, 151; En-rogel, 111, 122, 138;
En-shemesh, 111, 122; En-tappuah, 131; Epes-dammim or Pas-
dammim, 124; Ephratah, 124; Ephraim, 127, 130; Ephron, 111;
Esdrælon, see Jezreel; Eshean, 116; Eshtaol, 112, 122, 151, 152;
Eshtemoh or Eshtemoa, 116, 124, 155; Etam, 125; Ether, 114,
143; Ethiopia, 159; Ezel, 141; Ezion-gaber, 156.
Gaash, 130; Gaba or Geba, 134, 135, 142; Gad, 105; Galilee,
151; Gallim, 141; Gath, 115; Gath-hepher, the same as Gittah-
hepher, 144; Gath-rimmon, 129, 133, 151, 152, 155; Gaza or Az-
zah, 114, 115; Geba or Gaba, 134, 135, 142; Geder, 125; Gede-
rah, 113; Gederoth, 113, 114; Gederothaim, 113; Gedor, 118,
144; Geliloth, 139; Gerar, 115; Gerizim, 128; Geshur or Gesher,
109; Gezer, 127, 155; Giah, 136; Gibeah, 117, 141; Gibeath,
134, 141; Gibbethon, 151, 152, 155; Gibeon, 134, 135, 155; Gi-
dom, 142; Gihon, 138; Gilboa, 146; Gilead, 107; Gilgal, 111, 123,
139; Giloh, 116; Gimzo, 125; Gittah-hepher, 144; Gittaim, 142;
Gob, 130; Golan, 108, 155; Goshen, 116; Gozan, 159; Gur, 133;
Gur-baal, 133.
Habor, 159; Hachilah, 126; Hadatah, 111; Hadashah, 113; Ha-
did, 142; Halah, 159; Halak, 126; Haihul, 118; Hali, 147; Ha-
math, 157, 158; Hamath-zobah, 158; Hammath, 150; Hammath-
dor, 150, 155; Hammon, 147, 150, 155; Hananeel, 139; Hanna-
thon, 144; Haphraim, 145; Haran, 157; Hareth, 125; Harod, 146;
Harosheth, 158; Havilah, 159; Havoth-jair, 108, 109; Hazar, 111,
150, 151; Hazar-gaddah, 111, 143; Hazar-shual, 111, 143; Hazar-
susah, 143; Hazezon-tamar, 125; see En-gedi. Hebron, 116, 125,
147, 148, 155; Helam, 158; Heleph, 149; Helkath, 147, 155;
Helkath-hazzurim, 136; Hena, 157; Hepher, 125; Herez, 152;
Heshbon, 104, 105, 154; Heshmon, 111; Hezron, 110, 111, 121;
Hilin, 155; Hinnom, 111, 122, 138; Holon, 116, 155; Horeb, 159;
Horem, 150; Hormah, 111, 112, 124. 143; Hosah, 147; Hukkok or
Hukok, 149, 150, 155; Humtah, 116.
Ibleam, 131; Idalah, 144; Iim, 111; India, 159; Iron, 150;
Irpeel, 134; Ir-shemesh, 121, 151, 152; Issachar, 145; Íshtob,
158; Ithnan, 111; Ittah-kazin, 144; Iva, 157.
Jabbok, 107; Jabesh-gilead, 108; Jabez, 125; Jabneel or Jab-
neh, 111, 122, 149, 150; Jagur, 111; Jahaza, 104, 154; Janoah,
151; Janum, 116; Japhia, 144; Japhleti, 133; Japho or Joppa,
151, 152; Jarmuth, 112, 146, 155; Jattir, 116, 124, 155; Jazer,
105, 154; Jearim, 111, 122, 123; Jebusi, 134; Jehud, 151; Jeno-
hah, 127: Jethlah, 151; Jericho, 127, 134; Jeshanah, 130; Je-
ruel, 126; Jerusalem, 137; Jeshimon, 125; Jetur, 159; Jezreel,
117, 145; Jiphtah, 114; Jiphthah-el, 144, 147; Jogbehah, 110;
Jokdeam, 117; Jokmeam, 129, 155; Jokneam, 144, 155; Joktheel,
113, 125; Joppa, 152; Jordan, 127; Jotbah, 125; Judah, 110;
Juttah, 117, 155.
Kabzeel, 111; Kanah, 127, 131, 147; Karkaa, 110, 121; Kar-
kor, 110; Kartab, 145, 155; Kattah, 144; Kartan, 151, 155; Ke-
demoth, 104, 154; Kedesh or Kadesh-barnea, 110, 111, 121, 150,
151, 155; Keilah, 114; Kenath, 109; Kerioth, 111; Kezez, 136;
Kibzaim, 129, 155; Kidron, 138; Kinah, 111; Kir, 157; Kir-bar-
aseth, 156; Kirjath, 134, 141; Kirjathaim, 104, 151, 155; Kirjath-
arba, 116; see Hebron; Kirjath-baal or Kirjath-jearim, 111, 118,
123, 133; Kirjath-sannah or Kirjath-sepher, 116; see Debir: Kish-
ion or Kishon, 145, 155; Kitron, 145; Kithlish, 113.
Lachish, 113, 114, Lahmam, 113; Laish, see Leshem; Lakum,
149; Lasheron, 153; Lebanon, 159; Lebaoth, 111; Lebnah, 130;
Lehi, 125; Leshem, 151, 152; see Dan; Libnah, 114, 155; Lod,
142; Lodebar, 108; Luz, 133, 153; see Bethel.
Maachah, 100, 158: Maaleh-akrabbim, 110, 120; see Akrabbim;
Maarath, 118; Madmannah, 111; Madon, 153; Mahaneh-dan, 118;
Mahanaim, 102, 105, 106, 154; Mahaz, 125; Makkedah, 113, 114;
Manahath, 142; Manasseh, 107, 131; Maon, 117; Maralah, 144;
Maresha, 114; Mazrekah, 156; Meah, 139; Mearah, 149; Medeba,
103; Medes, 157; Megiddo, 131, 132; Mephaath, 104, 154; Me-
jarkon, 151; Meonenim, 129; Merom, 151; Meroz, 153, 332; Mes-
opotamia, 157; Metheg-ammah, 116; Michmash, 142; Michme-
thah, 127, 131; Midian, 335; Middin, 119; Migdal-el, 150; Mig-
dal-gad, 113; Migron, 142; Millo, 129, 139; Minnith, 109; Miph-
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