12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I.
12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I.
12 You're right, I am a close relative to you, but there is one even closer than I am.
12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.
12 But while it's true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ruth 3:12
Commentary on Ruth 3:6-13
(Read 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 Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged.