TRANSLATING THE PREPOSITION 'M IN THE BOOK OF RUTH

Definitions of 'm

In two places, the form and context of 'm

suggests the translation "from" (2:12; 4:10).

This is implied when

For most cases in Ruth, the form or context Naomi tells them to return to
of the preposition suggests the translation their father's house she was
"with" releasing them.

Yet, 'm has a wide semantic range. It is The use of 'm communicates
possible translate 'm as "under the that Ruth not only
authority of..." accompanied Naomi upon
her return from Moab, but
that Naomi has authority
Depending on the situation, over her. As discussed
The clearest example of this technical multiple persons below, a similar use of 'm
sense in Ruth comes from 2:19. may have authority over the occurs in 1:22.
same person Even after
Ruth begins to work in Boaz's
Although Boaz grants Ruth permission to
field, she is still identified as
work in his field (2:8-9), the text does not That Ruth works under the
Naomi's daughter-in-
indicate that he worked in the field that authority of Boaz does not
law (Ruth 2:20,22; 4:15), and
day alongside Ruth. As with Jacob and mean that she is no longer
she presumably remains
Laban, Ruth does not work with Boaz. under the authority of
under Naomi's authority
Rather, she works under his authority. Naomi.