Ruth 3:6-15

6 She went down [to] the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law had instructed her.

7 After Boaz ate, drank, and was in good spirits,^[a] he went to lie down at the end of the pile of barley. Then she went in secretly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.

8 At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman!

9 So he asked, "Who are you?" "I am Ruth, your slave," she replied. "Spread^[b] your cloak over me, for you are a family redeemer."

10 Then he said, "May the Lord bless you, my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before,^[c] because you have not pursued younger men, whether rich or poor.

11 Now don't be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you say,^[d] since all the people in my town^[e] know that you are a woman of noble character.^[f]

12 Yes, it is true that I am a family redeemer, but there is a redeemer closer than I am.

13 Stay [here] tonight, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, [that's] good. Let him redeem [you]. But if he doesn't want to redeem you, as the Lord lives, I will. Now, lie down until morning."

14 So she lay down at his feet until morning but got up while it was still dark.^[g] Then Boaz said, "Don't let it be known that a^[h] woman came to the threshing floor."

15 And he told [Ruth], "Bring the shawl you're wearing and hold it out." When she held it out, he shoveled six [measures] of barley into her shawl, and she^[i] went into the city.

Ruth 3:6-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO RUTH 3

In this chapter we have a proposal of Naomi to Ruth, with advice and directions to get Boaz for her husband, Ru 2:1-4. Ruth's obedience to the instructions she gave her, Ru 2:5-7, the notice Boaz took of her, and the conversation that passed between them, Ru 2:8-13 the dismission of her in the morning to her mother-in-law with a gift, to whom she returned, and acquainted her with what had passed, Ru 2:14-18.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit and his heart was glad
• [b] Lit Spread the wing of; Ru 2:12
• [c] Lit kindness at the last than at the first
• [d] Some Hb mss, Origen, Syr, Tg, Vg read say to me
• [e] Lit all the gate of my people
• [f] Ru 2:1; Pr 31:10
• [g] Lit up before a man could recognize his companion
• [h] LXX; MT reads the
• [i] Some Hb mss, Aram, Syr, Vg; MT reads he