Verse 8:[1] Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
[Which he immediately loosed] Hebrew: he removed his shoe[2] (Junius and Tremellius, Malvenda). Who removed? Responses: 1. Boaz (certain interpreters in Malvenda). 2. Ruth. In keeping with the law, he allowed it to be removed by her, whom he was refusing to marry; so that he might hand that over to him, whom she would marry, as a sign of yielding. See Deuteronomy 25:9 (Junius). But there is no mention here of Ruth; indeed, it is gathered from Ruth 3:18 that she was at home at that time. Therefore, it appears that this passage is to be understood simply, just as the letter sounds (Piscator). The avenger, or redeemer, removed his shoe (Malvenda).
[1] Hebrew: וַיֹּ֧אמֶר הַגֹּאֵ֛ל לְבֹ֖עַז קְנֵה־לָ֑ךְ וַיִּשְׁלֹ֖ף נַעֲלֽוֹ׃
[2] Hebrew: וַיִּשְׁלֹ֖ף נַעֲלֽוֹ׃.