Ruth 4:5

On the day you buy the land...you must also acquire the widow of the deceased: In Hebrew manuscripts, the verse reads I buy, but a scribal correction in the margin reads you buy, differing by one letter. The scribe believed you buy was the original text, suggesting an error in the main text. Some think I buy is the original, indicating Boaz and Ruth's marriage was already planned (see study note on Judges 3:11). However, most translators believe you buy is original because:

1. The scribe thought you buy was correct

2. Most ancient translations of Ruth which are older than our Hebrew copies, also read you buy

3. An earlier scribe might have mistakenly used I have acquired from Ruth 4:10 instead of you buy

This ensures Ruth can have children to continue her husband's name and keep the land in the family, drawing from Deuteronomy 25:7. Boaz linked the duties of a family redeemer (see study notes Ruth 2:20; Leviticus 25:25) with those of a brother-in-law (Latin "levir") to provide an heir for a deceased brother (see Deuteronomy 25:5–10 for levirate marriage; compare Genesis 38). There is no exact precedent for Boaz's legal action. The duty of the "levir" in Deuteronomy 25:5–10 did not apply here, as neither Boaz nor the other kinsman was Elimelech’s brother, and Ruth was not Elimelech’s widow. Boaz used the spirit of the law about the go’el (family redeemer) to create a moral, if not legal, duty to act as "levir" and provide an heir to inherit the land (see study note on Leviticus 25:25). Land ownership and providing an heir were closely linked in ancient Israel (compare Numbers 27:1–11). Since Naomi was too old to have children, Ruth, Elimelech’s son's widow, would be the mother of such an heir. This move surprised the other kinsman (Ruth 4:6), but Boaz's argument, though perhaps new, was accepted as valid.