Ruth 3:6-15

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.
8 In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!
9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer[a] of our family.”
10 “The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.
11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.
12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I.
13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.”
15 He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he[b] went back to town.

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.

Cross References 16

  • 1. S Numbers 18:27
  • 2. Jdg 19:6,9,22; 1 Samuel 25:36; 2 Samuel 13:28; 1 Kings 21:7; Esther 1:10
  • 3. 2 Chronicles 31:6; Song of Songs 7:2; Jeremiah 50:26; Haggai 2:16
  • 4. Ezekiel 16:8
  • 5. ver 12; S Ruth 2:20
  • 6. S Judges 17:2
  • 7. S Joshua 2:12
  • 8. Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 14:1; Proverbs 31:10
  • 9. ver 9; S Ruth 2:20
  • 10. Ruth 4:1
  • 11. Deuteronomy 25:5; Ruth 4:5; Matthew 22:24
  • 12. S Numbers 14:21; Hosea 4:15; Judges 8:19; Jeremiah 4:2
  • 13. Ruth 4:6
  • 14. S Numbers 18:27
  • 15. Romans 14:16; 2 Corinthians 8:21
  • 16. Isaiah 3:22

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. The Hebrew word for "guardian-redeemer" is a legal term for one who has the obligation to redeem a relative in serious difficulty (see Lev. 25:25-55); also in verses 12 and 13.
  • [b]. Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate and Syriac "she"
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