Ruth 3:11

11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I'll do for you everything you are asking. Indeed, my people—all who are at the gate—know that you are a woman of worth.

Ruth 3:11 Meaning and Commentary

Ruth 3:11

And now, my daughter, fear not
Either of being forced and defiled, to which he had exposed herself by lying down at a man's feet, or of being reproached as an immodest woman for so doing, or of being despised as a poor woman, and of not succeeding in her suit and enterprise:

and I will do to thee all that thou requirest;
which could be done according to the law of God, and without injury to another person after mentioned:

for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman;
or righteous, as the Targum; a good woman, possessed of grace and virtue, having every agreeable qualification to recommend to the marriage state; and therefore, should they come to the knowledge of the step taken to obtain it, will never reproach thee for it, nor blame me for marrying a person, though poor, of such an excellent character, which, by her conduct and behaviour, was universally established. It is in the original text, "all the gate of my people" ^F21; meaning either all the people that pass through the gate of the city, that is, all the inhabitants of it, or the whole court of judicature, the elders of the city, that sit in judgment there, as was usual in gates of cities, see ( Ruth 4:1 Ruth 4:9 ) . So the Targum,

``it is manifest before all that sit in the gate of the great sanhedrim of my people that thou art a righteous woman''

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 (yme rev-lk) "tota porta populi mei", Montanus; so Vatablus, Tigurine version.

Ruth 3:11 In-Context

9 "Who are you?" he asked. She replied, "I'm Ruth your servant. Spread out your robe over your servant, because you are a redeemer."

10 He said, "May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter! You have acted even more faithfully than you did at first. You haven't gone after rich or poor young men.

11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I'll do for you everything you are asking. Indeed, my people—all who are at the gate—know that you are a woman of worth.

12 Now, although it's certainly true that I'm a redeemer, there's a redeemer who is a closer relative than I am.

13 Stay the night. And in the morning, if he'll redeem you—good, let him redeem. But if he doesn't want to redeem you, then—as the LORD lives—I myself will redeem you. Lie down until the morning."