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Ruth 3

BSB·18 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1One day Ruth’s mother-in-lawחֲמוֹתָ֑הּḥă·mō·w·ṯāh — Mother-in-law; wife's motherH2545 — Full Word Study → Naomiנָעֳמִ֣יnā·‘o·mî — Pleasantness, My DelightH5281 — Full Word Study → saidוַתֹּ֥אמֶרwat·tō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to her, “My daughterבִּתִּ֞יbit·tî — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study →, should I notהֲלֹ֧אhă·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → seekאֲבַקֶּשׁ־’ă·ḇaq·qeš- — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → a resting placeמָנ֖וֹחַmā·nō·w·aḥ — Rest, resting place, or peaceH4494 — Full Word Study → for you, thatאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → it may be wellיִֽיטַב־yî·ṭaḇ- — to be good, to improve, to do wellH3190 — Full Word Study → with you? 2Nowוְעַתָּ֗הwə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → is notהֲלֹ֥אhă·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → Boazבֹ֙עַז֙ḇō·‘az — In him is strengthH1162 — Full Word Study →, withאֶת־’eṯ- — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → whoseאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → servant girlsנַעֲרוֹתָ֑יוna·‘ă·rō·w·ṯāw — young woman, maiden, girlH5291 — Full Word Study → you have been working, a relative of oursמֹֽדַעְתָּ֔נוּmō·ḏa‘·tā·nū — Female relative; kinship relationH4130 — Full Word Study →? In factהִנֵּה־hin·nêh- — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →, tonightהַלָּֽיְלָה׃hal·lā·yə·lāh — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study → heה֗וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is winnowingזֹרֶ֛הzō·reh — to scatter, winnow, or disperseH2219 — Full Word Study → barleyהַשְּׂעֹרִ֖יםhaś·śə·‘ō·rîm — barley; a cereal grainH8184 — Full Word Study → on the threshing floorגֹּ֥רֶןgō·ren — Threshing floor; agricultural work areaH1637 — Full Word Study →. 3Therefore wash yourselfוְרָחַ֣צְתְּ׀wə·rā·ḥaṣt — to wash or bathe the bodyH7364 — Full Word Study →, put on perfumeוָסַ֗כְתְּwā·saḵt — to anoint with oil; to smear or daubH5480 — Full Word Study →, and wearוְשַׂ֧מְתְּwə·śamt — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → your best clothesשִׂמְלֹתֵךְśim·lō·ṯēḵ — Garment, cloak, or outer garmentH8071 — Full Word Study →. Go downוְיָרַדְתִּיwə·yå̄·raḏ·tī — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → to the threshing floorהַגֹּ֑רֶןhag·gō·ren — Threshing floor; agricultural work areaH1637 — Full Word Study →, but do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → let the manלָאִ֔ישׁlā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → knowתִּוָּדְעִ֣יtiw·wā·ḏə·‘î — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → you are there untilעַ֥ד‘aḏ — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → he has finishedכַּלֹּת֖וֹkal·lō·ṯōw — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study → eatingלֶאֱכֹ֥לle·’ĕ·ḵōl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → and drinkingוְלִשְׁתּֽוֹת׃wə·liš·tō·wṯ — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study →. 4When he lies downבְשָׁכְב֗וֹḇə·šā·ḵə·ḇōw — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study →, noteוְיָדַ֙עַתְּ֙wə·yā·ḏa·‘at — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → the placeהַמָּקוֹם֙ham·mā·qō·wm — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study → whereאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → he liesיִשְׁכַּב־yiš·kaḇ- — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study →. Then go inוּבָ֛אתū·ḇāṯ — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → and uncoverוְגִלִּ֥יתwə·ḡil·lîṯ — HeglamH1540 — Full Word Study → his feetמַרְגְּלֹתָ֖יוmar·gə·lō·ṯāw — Feet; base or lower extremityH4772 — Full Word Study →, and lie downוְשָׁכָבְתִּיwə·šå̄·ḵå̄·ḇə·tī — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study →, and heוְהוּא֙wə·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → will explainיַגִּ֣ידyag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → to you whatאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → you should doתַּעַשִֽׂין׃ta·ʿa·śīn — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →.” 5I will doאֶֽעֱשֶֽׂה׃’e·‘ĕ·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → everythingכֹּ֛לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → you sayתֹּאמְרִ֥יֵַ֖tō·mə·ri·ya — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →,” Ruth answered. 6So she went downוַתֵּ֖רֶדwat·tê·reḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → to the threshing floorהַגֹּ֑רֶןhag·gō·ren — Threshing floor; agricultural work areaH1637 — Full Word Study → and didוַתַּ֕עַשׂwat·ta·‘aś — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → everythingכְּכֹ֥לkə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → her mother-in-lawחֲמוֹתָֽהּ׃ḥă·mō·w·ṯāh — Mother-in-law; wife's motherH2545 — Full Word Study → had instructed her to do. 7After Boazבֹּ֤עַזbō·‘az — In him is strengthH1162 — Full Word Study → had finished eatingוַיֹּ֨אכַלway·yō·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → and drinkingוַיֵּשְׁתְּ֙way·yê·šət — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study → and was in good spiritsוַיִּיטַ֣בway·yî·ṭaḇ — to be good, to improve, to do wellH3190 — Full Word Study →, he wentוַיָּבֹ֕אway·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → to lie downלִשְׁכַּ֖בliš·kaḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → at the endבִּקְצֵ֣הbiq·ṣêh — edge, border, extremity, endH7097 — Full Word Study → of the heap of grainהָעֲרֵמָ֑הhā·‘ă·rê·māh — heap, pile, sheaf of grainH6194 — Full Word Study →. Then Ruth went in secretly, uncoveredוַתְּגַ֥לwat·tə·ḡal — HeglamH1540 — Full Word Study → his feetמַרְגְּלֹתָ֖יוmar·gə·lō·ṯāw — Feet; base or lower extremityH4772 — Full Word Study →, and lay downוַתִּשְׁכָּֽב׃wat·tiš·kāḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study →. 8At midnightבַּחֲצִ֣יba·ḥă·ṣî — half, middle, midstH2677 — Full Word Study →, Boazהָאִ֖ישׁhā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → was startledוַיֶּחֱרַ֥דway·ye·ḥĕ·raḏ — to tremble, quake, or shudder with fearH2729 — Full Word Study →, turned overוַיִּלָּפֵ֑תway·yil·lā·p̄êṯ — to twist, turn aside, or seizeH3943 — Full Word Study →, and thereוְהִנֵּ֣הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → lyingשֹׁכֶ֖בֶתšō·ḵe·ḇeṯ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → at his feetמַרְגְּלֹתָֽיו׃mar·gə·lō·ṯāw — Feet; base or lower extremityH4772 — Full Word Study → was a womanאִשָּׁ֔ה’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →! 9Whoמִי־mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → are youאָ֑תּʾå̄t — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study →?” he askedוַיֹּ֖אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “I am your servantאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā — Female servant or bondmaid in household or covenant serviceH519 — Full Word Study → Ruthר֣וּתrūṯ — Friend or CompanionH7327 — Full Word Study →,” she repliedוַתֹּ֗אמֶרwat·tō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Spreadוּפָרַשְׂתָּ֤ū·p̄ā·raś·tā — to spread, stretch out, or extendH6566 — Full Word Study → the corner of your garmentכְנָפֶ֙ךָ֙ḵə·nā·p̄e·ḵā — wing; edge, border, cornerH3671 — Full Word Study → overעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → meאֲמָ֣תְךָ֔’ă·mā·ṯə·ḵā — Female servant or bondmaid in household or covenant serviceH519 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → youאָֽתָּה׃’āt·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are a kinsman-redeemerגֹאֵ֖לḡō·’êl — to redeem; to act as kinsman-redeemerH1350 — Full Word Study →.” 10Then Boaz said, “May the LORDלַֽיהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → blessבְּרוּכָ֨הbə·rū·ḵāh — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → youאַ֤תְּ’at — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study →, my daughterבִּתִּ֔יbit·tî — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study →. You have shownהֵיטַ֛בְתְּhê·ṭaḇt — to be good, to improve, to do wellH3190 — Full Word Study → more kindnessחַסְדֵּ֥ךְḥas·dêḵ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → nowהָאַחֲר֖וֹןhā·’a·ḥă·rō·wn — Last, final, or later in time or orderH314 — Full Word Study → thanמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → beforeהָרִאשׁ֑וֹןhā·ri·šō·wn — First, foremost, or former; earliest in time or orderH7223 — Full Word Study →, because you have notלְבִלְתִּי־lə·ḇil·tî- — without, except, lest, or nothing butH1115 — Full Word Study → runלֶ֗כֶתle·ḵeṯ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → afterאַחֲרֵי֙’a·ḥă·rê — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study → the younger menהַבַּ֣חוּרִ֔יםhab·ba·ḥū·rîm — Young man, youth, chosen oneH970 — Full Word Study →, whetherאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → richעָשִֽׁיר׃‘ā·šîr — A wealthy or rich person; one possessing abundant resourcesH6223 — Full Word Study → orוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → poorדַּ֖לdal — poor, needy, weakH1800 — Full Word Study →. 11And nowוְעַתָּ֗הwə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → be afraidתִּ֣ירְאִ֔יtî·rə·’î — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study →, my daughterבִּתִּי֙bit·tî — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study →. I will doאֶֽעֱשֶׂה־’e·‘ĕ·śeh- — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → for you whateverכֹּ֥לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → you requestתֹּאמְרִ֖יtō·mə·rî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, sinceכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → my fellow townspeopleעַמִּ֔י‘am·mî — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → knowיוֹדֵ֙עַ֙yō·w·ḏê·a‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → youאָֽתְּ׃’āt — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are a womanאֵ֥שֶׁת’ê·šeṯ — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → of noble characterחַ֖יִלḥa·yil — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study →. 12Yesכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study →, it is trueאָמְנָ֔ם’ā·mə·nām — truly, certainly, indeedH551 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I am a kinsman-redeemerגֹאֵ֖לḡō·’êl — to redeem; to act as kinsman-redeemerH1350 — Full Word Study →, butוְגַ֛םwə·ḡam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → there isיֵ֥שׁyêš — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → a redeemerגֹּאֵ֖לgō·’êl — to redeem; to act as kinsman-redeemerH1350 — Full Word Study → nearerקָר֥וֹבqā·rō·wḇ — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study → than Iמִמֶּֽנִּי׃mim·men·nî — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →. 13Stay here tonightלִ֣ינִי׀lî·nî — to lodge, dwell, or remain (overnight or permanently)H3885 — Full Word Study →, and in the morningבַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ḇab·bō·qer — Morning; daybreak; the early part of the dayH1242 — Full Word Study →, ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → he wants to redeem youיִגְאָלֵ֥ךְyiḡ·’ā·lêḵ — to redeem; to act as kinsman-redeemerH1350 — Full Word Study →, goodטוֹב֙ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →. Let him redeem youיִגְאָ֔לyiḡ·’āl — to redeem; to act as kinsman-redeemerH1350 — Full Word Study →. But ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → he does notלֹ֨אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → wantיַחְפֹּ֧ץyaḥ·pōṣ — to delight in; to desire; to take pleasureH2654 — Full Word Study → to redeem youלְגָֽאֳלֵ֛ךְlə·ḡā·’o·lêḵ — to redeem; to act as kinsman-redeemerH1350 — Full Word Study →, as surely as the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → livesחַי־ḥay- — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →, Iאָנֹ֖כִי’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → willוּגְאַלְתִּ֥יךְū·ḡə·’al·tîḵ — to redeem; to act as kinsman-redeemerH1350 — Full Word Study →. Now lie hereשִׁכְבִ֖יšiḵ·ḇî — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → untilעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → morningהַבֹּֽקֶר׃hab·bō·qer — Morning; daybreak; the early part of the dayH1242 — Full Word Study →.” 14So she lay downוַתִּשְׁכַּ֤בwat·tiš·kaḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → at his feetמַרְגְּלֹתָוmar·gə·lō·ṯå̄w — Feet; base or lower extremityH4772 — Full Word Study → untilעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → morningהַבֹּ֔קֶרhab·bō·qer — Morning; daybreak; the early part of the dayH1242 — Full Word Study →, but she got upוַתָּ֕קָםwat·tā·qām — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → beforeבִּטְרוֹםbiṭ·rōm — before, formerly, previouslyH2958 — Full Word Study → anyoneאִ֖ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → elseרֵעֵ֑הוּrê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → could recognize herיַכִּ֥ירyak·kîr — To recognize, acknowledge, regard, or treat as strangeH5234 — Full Word Study →. Then Boaz saidוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙way·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → let it be knownיִוָּדַ֔עyiw·wā·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a womanהָאִשָּׁ֖הhā·’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → cameבָ֥אָהḇā·’āh — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → to the threshing floorהַגֹּֽרֶן׃hag·gō·ren — Threshing floor; agricultural work areaH1637 — Full Word Study →.” 15And he told herוַיֹּ֗אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Bringהָ֠בִיhā·ḇî — to give, provide, or grantH3051 — Full Word Study → the shawlהַמִּטְפַּ֧חַתham·miṭ·pa·ḥaṯ — Headscarf, veil, or head coveringH4304 — Full Word Study → you are wearingעָלַ֛יִךְ‘ā·la·yiḵ — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → and holdוְאֶֽחֳזִי־wə·’e·ḥo·zî- — to grasp, seize, or take hold ofH270 — Full Word Study → it out.” When she did so, he shoveled six measures of barleyשְׂעֹרִים֙śə·‘ō·rîm — barley; a cereal grainH8184 — Full Word Study → into her shawl. Then he wentוַיָּבֹ֖אway·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → into the cityהָעִֽיר׃hā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. 16When Ruth returnedוַתָּבוֹא֙wat·tā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → her mother-in-lawחֲמוֹתָ֔הּḥă·mō·w·ṯāh — Mother-in-law; wife's motherH2545 — Full Word Study →, Naomi asked herוַתֹּ֖אמֶרwat·tō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “How did it goמִי־mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study →, my daughterבִּתִּ֑יbit·tî — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study →?” Then Ruth toldוַתַּ֨גֶּד־wat·tag·geḏ- — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → her allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → Boaz had doneעָֽשָׂה־‘ā·śāh- — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → for her. 17And she saidוַתֹּ֕אמֶרwat·tō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “He gaveנָ֣תַןnā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → me theseהָאֵ֖לֶּהhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → sixשֵׁשׁ־šêš- — The number six; sixth in orderH8337 — Full Word Study → measures of barleyהַשְּׂעֹרִ֥יםhaś·śə·‘ō·rîm — barley; a cereal grainH8184 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he saidאָמַ֣רֵַ֔ʾå̄·ma·ra — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → go backתָּב֥וֹאִיtā·ḇō·w·’î — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → your mother-in-lawחֲמוֹתֵֽךְ׃ḥă·mō·w·ṯêḵ — Mother-in-law; wife's motherH2545 — Full Word Study → empty-handedרֵיקָ֖םrê·qām — emptily, in vain, without purposeH7387 — Full Word Study →.’” 18Waitשְׁבִ֣יšə·ḇî — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study →, my daughterבִתִּ֔יḇit·tî — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study →,” said Naomiוַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙wat·tō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “untilעַ֚ד‘aḏ — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → you find outתֵּֽדְעִ֔יןtê·ḏə·‘în — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → howאֵ֖יךְ’êḵ — How? In what way? Where?H349 — Full Word Study → thingsדָּבָ֑רdā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → goיִפֹּ֣לyip·pōl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → heהָאִ֔ישׁhā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → will notלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → restיִשְׁקֹט֙yiš·qōṭ — to rest, be quiet, or settle in peaceH8252 — Full Word Study → unlessכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he has resolvedכִּלָּ֥הkil·lāh — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study → the matterהַדָּבָ֖רhad·dā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → todayהַיּֽוֹם׃hay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →.”
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Chapter Commentary — Ruth 3
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Ruth chapter 3 marks a turning point in our story, moving from Ruth's faithful provision through gleaning to the prospect of permanent security and blessing through marriage. Naomi, recognizing Boaz's character and his kinship obligation, devises a plan for Ruth to appeal to him as a potential redeemer. What follows is a beautiful, culturally significant encounter at the threshing floor where Ruth demonstrates both courage and virtue, and where Boaz reveals his own godly character and commitment to doing what is right.

Verses 1–5: Naomi's Plan

Naomi's opening words, "Shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?" (v. 1), reveal a mother-in-law's deep love and concern. The word rest here means security and stability—not idleness, but the peace that comes from a secure place in a home and community. Naomi recognizes that Ruth's current situation, while honest, is precarious. She then outlines her strategy: Ruth should present herself to Boaz at the threshing floor after he has eaten and celebrated the successful harvest, approaching him in a way that invokes his responsibility as a near kinsman.

Ruth's immediate response in verse 5—"All that thou sayest unto me I will do"—shows remarkable trust in her mother-in-law's wisdom and, by extension, in God's providence. This obedience reflects Ruth's character throughout the narrative: she is dutiful, respectful, and willing to take appropriate action toward a godly goal.

Application: Trust in the counsel of mature believers who know you well and love you genuinely. Ruth followed Naomi's guidance not blindly, but with faith that God works through the wisdom of His people.

Verses 6–12: The Midnight Encounter

Ruth carries out the plan with care and discretion (vv. 6–7). The phrase "uncovered his feet" is a formal gesture of requesting the protection and provision of a kinsman-redeemer—a legal appeal grounded in Old Testament law. When Boaz awakens at midnight (v. 8), he is startled but quickly recognizes Ruth's identity and immediately understands her petition.

Boaz's response is remarkable (vv. 9–11). He blesses her, praises her virtue, and affirms what "all the city" knows: she is a virtuous woman. His comment in verse 10 is especially touching: Ruth has shown even greater kindness "in the latter end than at the beginning" by not pursuing younger men—whether rich or poor—but instead honoring the kinship claim and seeking a godly path forward. This reveals Ruth's true character: she was never motivated by wealth or romance, but by faithfulness.

However, Boaz introduces a complication (v. 12): there is another kinsman, even nearer in relation, who has the prior legal claim. Rather than dismiss Ruth or take advantage of the situation, Boaz commits to resolving this honorably, staying true to God's law and her rights.

Application: Integrity in private moments defines true character. Boaz's faithfulness to the law and to Ruth's reputation—even when no one was watching—reflects a heart devoted to God's standards, not cultural convenience.

Verses 13–18: Provision and Promise

Boaz asks Ruth to remain until morning (v. 13), then sends her away before dawn to protect both their reputations. He then gives her six measures of barley (v. 15), a generous gift that demonstrates his commitment and assures Naomi that he is serious about his pledge.

When Ruth returns to Naomi, her mother-in-law's joy is evident. Naomi's final words—"Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall"—show confidence that Boaz will act decisively. She knows his character and trusts that "the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day" (v. 18).

Application: Rest comes not from anxious striving, but from trusting God to work through faithful people. Naomi's calm confidence teaches us to wait patiently upon the Lord's provision.

Application for Today

This chapter invites us to consider how God orchestrates blessing through human faithfulness and courage. Ruth's willingness to take appropriate action, combined with Boaz's integrity and honor, demonstrates that God works within our choices and character. Whether facing uncertainty in relationships, work, or provision, we can trust that faithful obedience and reliance on God's people and His law will lead to His blessing.

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