While both Orpah and the nameless go’el are motivated by self-interest, Orpah’s is a self-interest that is humanly understandable; the nameless go’el’s is morally inexcusable. Quite simply, he has failed in every way in his go’el functions. The elders35 and all those at the gate declared their witness of the legal proceedings. They then pronounce a threefold blessing on Boaz (vv. 11–12): 1. “May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel.” 2. “May you have standing [‘ase hayil] in Ephrathah and be famous [qara’ shem] in
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