The answer is: Sandal

Ruth 4:7-8

In an intriguing twist of ancient commerce and cultural practices, Ruth 4:7-8 highlights a rather unique closing of business: the handing over of a sandal. This isn't just any shoe-swap—it's rich with meaning and signifies a binding agreement that transcends mere verbal contracts.

In the days of Ruth and Boaz, this act wasn't simply about footwear; it indicated the transfer of land and responsibilities, representing a seal of ownership and duty. The point is that relinquishing one's sandal was akin to saying, "I bear no claim over this," echoing themes of trust and society’s expectations regarding kinship and obligations.

Interestingly, sandals in biblical times were also symbolic of standing—when like Moses you take off your sandals to approach holiness. So this ritual was layered with meaning, equating the loss of a sandal with loss of rights and the acceptance of a brotherly bond—a commitment to family and land alike.

Also, let’s not forget about the contrast between this public negotiation and the humble initiation of Ruth, an outsider, into the community, building a family tree that interlaces into the genealogy of David, extending ultimately to messianic oral history.

This fascinating marriage of law, tradition, and humility demonstrated not only the lengths people would go for their families but ultimately God's providence at play through unlikely circumstances and characters. What a beautiful shade thrown across history, illustrating how simple customs carried profound implications!