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RESEARCH APPROACH AND HYPOTHESIS
The approach in this study will primarily be to undertake a thorough investigation into the grammar, structure and syntax of Ruth 4, with inter alia special reference to the role of the alleged object marker in Ruth 4:5. Subsequently, new translation possibilities will be suggested from the resulting findings. A study of this nature is a study in search of meaning. Bodine (1992:102) remarks that a syntactic model with a semantic basis is preferable. In Chapter I, the grammatical problem of Ruth 4:5 will be researched and possible solutions will be considered. Generally speaking, the confusion in the text seems to have been camouflaged by the exciting events leading up to the marriage between Boaz and Ruth in the narrative, and lack of clarity has often been attributed to the supposed artistic skill of the author, who “succeeded” in intertwining the institution of the levirate marriage with compliance with the duties of a redeemer (Prinsloo 1982:81). The book of Ruth seems to have as one of its central themes marriage as instrument for providence and survival.
The emphasis on this aspect shines through in the various translations. Chapter III will take a closer look at Ruth 4:5 within the narratological framework of the book, emphasising the role which “gap filling” from the side of the reader plays in attempting to understand the narrative. It will become clear in this chapter that the writing techniques applied by the author leave the reader with more gaps than one could expect. In this regard, the works of Powell (1993), Berlin (1983) and Genette (1980) proved to be of great value.
Cultural and historical factors will be taken into consideration in the process of investigation. Along this way, a better “working translation” of Ruth 4:3-5 might possibly be offered. The expectation is that such a proposal for translation could contribute to a better understanding of the events which take place in the narrative of Ruth 4. The hope that this could also lead to a renewed interest in revising the exegesis of the book of Ruth as a whole, might be expressed.
The legal actions which occur in a somewhat disorganised manner in Ruth 4 also lead to confusion in the interpretation of the chapter. A very important part of the approach to this study will be to investigate possible explanations which underlie the legal concepts in the pericope. These legal actions which will be researched will not be restricted to the law of succession as in the earlier study (Stanton 2006). Subjects like sale of land and the phenomenon of power of attorney in the ancient Near East, as well as the locus standi in judicio of ancient women and the role of the “executor” in ancient deceased estates will be scrutinized. A closer look will be given to the contents of quasi legal actions like the duty of the redeemer and the levirate marriage, as these two phenomena are central to the pericope.
The legal actions in the narrative play a vital role and carry maybe more meaning than meets the eye prima facie. My respectful presumption is that translators were not always particularly equipped with legal background. The contribution of insight into legal matters was to a great extent neglected and its importance overlooked. Gerleman (1965:9) noticed the important role of the legal occurrences, however. One has to agree with him when he confesses: “Das Noömi ein Acker hat, kommt höchst unerwartet, und macht den Rechtsfall besonders verwickelt…” The inconsistency becomes clear if Ruth 4:3 is read in conjunction with Ruth 1:21, which describes Naomi as “empty” (she has no male relative to provide for her), while the rest of the narrative also portrays her extreme poverty and struggle for survival. The main hypothesis in this study will thus consist of allocating a name to the (limited) right which Naomi could be supposed to have and, subsequently, an explanation will be offered as to why Ruth would also be entitled to the same right. An attempt is made to indicate that this similarity in legal status of the two women clarifies the reason why the author could link the two women to the same piece of land in the same sentence. Unfortunately Gerleman does not offer solutions and explanations to all the problematic legal areas. Chapter IV will address Ruth 4:5 within the context of Israelite Jurisprudence and Society.
In Chapter V, Ruth 4 within the ideological context of the book will be scrutinized. Certain traditionally recognized presuppositions have been implemented by exegetes, commentators and theologians. Since this study does not concern itself primarily with theological meanings and messages, the ideological interpretations which were proposed by commentators will only be revised. There will, however, be an attempt to add another perspective to the well-known perspectives on the theology supported by the book. In this respect it will be pointed out how the underlying theme of “acceptance” alludes to the theme of “survival” and how all these themes can act in support of the hypothesis in this study, namely that the two widows stood in the same relation to the land and retained rights in respect thereof already when Elimelech died. In this sense they would be interchangeable. This hypothesis also conforms to the ancient Israelite quest to keep the family together, to determine who will qualify as family, and why Ruth had to seek acceptance in the eyes of the community although she was legally already part of the family. The claim will be proposed that without acceptance she could not claim her familial rights outright.
PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE SITZ-IM-LEBEN: TEXT vs. CONTEXT
Further to these observations, a few others can be added, not necessarily grammatical but also on the level of ancient law, custom and culture. It is impossible to discuss these contextual difficulties completely separate from the textual, grammatical and linguistic encounters, or separate from the contents and purpose of the narrative. These aspects will be dealt with more completely in the following chapters and will include discussions on ancient customs which might be at stake, like the levirate marriage and the right of redemption (Chapter IV), the validity and applicability of certain legal concepts and actions (Chapter IV), and the presupposed contexts of the patriarchal system and family centeredness (Chapter V).
THE QUESTION OF FEMALE OWNERSHIP AND INHERITANCE
As prerequisite for the two women to be able to sell land, they had to be the owner(s) thereof. Thompson and Thompson (1968:97) take the trouble of mentioning that “many commentators take exception to the story here” (in verse 5) maintaining that “according to Israelite law, women could not inherit.” Sadly, they do not treat this very important issue in question any further in order to draw a conclusion. Prinsloo (1982:83) also notices that there is something that does not make sense here:
Deuteronomy 21:15-17, as supported by Numbers 27:8-11, indicates that in the Old Testament women did not inherit from their husbands. He chooses a simple solution without further questioning or investigation by commenting that, “The fact is … that Ruth 4 treats the situation as if Naomi had the right of possession.”
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
1. TITLE
2. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY
3. RESEARCH PROBLEM
4. RESEARCH APPROACH AND HYPOTHESIS
5. METHOD
6. SEMANTICS
7. SYNTAX
8. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
9. EXPECTED RESULTS
CHAPTER II: THE GRAMMATICAL PROBLEM OF RUTH 4:5 AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. GRAMMATICAL PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THE TEXT
3. PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE SITZ-IM-LEBEN: TEXT VS. CONTEXT
4. THE QUESTION OF FEMALE OWNERSHIP AND INHERITANCE
5. THE PROBLEM OF THE LEVIRATE MARRIAGE
6. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
7. GRAMMATICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
8. CONCLUSION
CHAPTER III: RUTH 4:5 WITHIN THE NARRATOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK OF THE BOOK
1. INTRODUCTION
2. THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK OF RUTH
3. THE FUNCTION OF GAPS IN THE TEXT OF RUTH 4:5
4. SUMMARY
CHAPTER IV: RUTH 4:5 WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF ISRAELITE JURISPRUDENCE AND SOCIETY
1. INTRODUCTION
2. WHICH ARE THE MULTIPLE LEGAL PROBLEMS?
3. A NAME FOR THE MISSING “LINK”
4. THE LAWS
5. CUSTOMS
6. MORAL RIGHTS/DUTIES
7. THE LAW OF SUCCESSION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
8. CONCLUSION
9. PROPOSED (LEGAL) READING OF RUTH 4:5
CHAPTER V: RUTH 4:5 WITHIN THE IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF THE BOOK OF RUTH
1. INTRODUCTION
2. METHOD
3. DEFINITION OF IDEOLOGY
4. THE IDEOLOGY OF THE BOOK OF RUTH
5. IS THE METAPHOR OF GOD AS PROVIDER RELEVANT IN THE IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF THE BOOK OF RUTH
6. INHERITANCE AS SURVIVAL TOOL WHICH WITHSTOOD THE TEST OF TIME: THE INTENTION OF DIE AND LET LIVE
7. CONCLUSION
CHAPTER VI: CONCLUSION
1. REASONS FOR VARIOUS TRANSLATIONS
2. OTHER ASPECTS IN THE VERSE WHICH MIGHT INFLUENCE THE TRANSLATION
3. PROPOSED TRANSLATION AND READING
4. LEGAL TRANSLATION-INTERPRETATION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
