Question
Why did Ruth uncover Boaz’s feet (Ruth 3:4)? What is the significance of taking off the sandal (Ruth 4:7-8)?
Answer
Boaz had intimated that he intended to marry Ruth. Now he needed to either do so, or make it clear that he would not do so. Ruth’s action was a reminder that he needs to make his intentions known, one way or the other.
A shoe has a number of symbolic uses. One of those uses, as in Verse 4:7, is to show that a legal exchange has been finalized.
Regards,
Eliahu Levenson