I know, I know. This is an old and hackneyed debate and there are far better/worse modern translations to go after. But as I am finishing up my translation of Targum Ruth (huzzah!) I see that the NRSV has made some lame choices, presumably to be “gender inclusive.” In this case there is some basic biology and not just patriarchal dominance behind the language:
Ruth 4:13
וַיִּקַּח בֹּעַז אֶת־רוּת וַתְּהִי־לוֹ לְאִשָּׁה וַיָּבֹא אֵלֶיה
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together…
Really? Yes, it was consensual and I firmly read the Book of Ruth as having strong female roles, but they don’t need the help of the translator.
One thought on “Quibbling with NRSV”
It sounds like they want another virgin birth – direct imitation of the phrasing of the AV of Matthew 1:18 – comical accident I suppose but maybe that’s why Ruth made it into Matthew!