The redeemer replied, “I can’t redeem it myself, or I will ruin my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I can’t redeem it.”

At an earlier period in Israel, a man removed his sandal(A) and gave it to the other party in order to make any matter legally binding concerning the right of redemption or the exchange of property. This was the method of legally binding a transaction in Israel.

So the redeemer removed his sandal and said to Boaz, “Buy back the property yourself.”

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At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem(A) it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.”(B)

(Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption(C) and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal(D) and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions(E) in Israel.)(F)

So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal.(G)

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