ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

SIULAI 9, 2023 

Mr. So-and-So

Ko e Tokotaha ko Me’a

RUTH 4:1-2

NOW BOAZ HAD GONE UP TO THE GATE AND SAT DOWN THERE. AND BEHOLD, THE REDEEMER, OF WHOM BOAZ HAD SPOKEN, CAME BY. SO BOAZ SAID, "TURN ASIDE, FRIEND: SIT DOWN HERE." AND HE TURNED ASIDE AND SAT DOWN. AND HE TOOK TEN MEN OF THE ELDERS OF THE CITY AND SAID, "SIT DOWN HERE." SO THEY SAT DOWN.

LUTE 4:1-2

1 KA kuo ‘alu hake ‘a Poasi ki he matanikolo, ‘o ne nofo ai: pea ‘iloange na‘e laka ange ‘a e koeli na‘e lau ki ai ‘e Poasi; pea ne pehē, ‘E Me‘a, afe mai, ‘o nofo heni. 2 Pea ne afe mai ‘o nofo. Pea ne fili ha tu‘unga tangata ‘e toko hongofulu ‘i he mātu‘a ‘o e kolo, ‘o ne pehē, Mou nofo hē. Pea nau nofo.

The Latin abbreviation N.N. (nomen nescio, "I do not know the name") is used to refer to an anonymous person. In English we say, "Mr. So-and-So" or refer to "John Doe." The Hebrew equivalent is p'loni almoni. Though translated "friend" in Ruth 4:1, it's more like "Hey, you." This p'loni almoni, though first in line to redeem Ruth, opts not to fulfill his duty. This was good news for Ruth and Boaz, of course, but also a black mark against this man. So in a book packed with names and deeply concerned with genealogy, this very unredemptive fellow will forever be known simply as p'loni almoni.

This narrative that began with a sadness concludes with joy as Boaz and Ruth have a baby boy-a boy named Obed, who will grow up to be the father of Jesse, who in turn will father David. No p'loni almoni, his name will forever be etched into Israel's memory, as will his heir: the Son of David, the Messiah, Christ our Redeemer.

O saving King, all praise be to you for knowing and calling us each by name.