King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And she said, These six [measures] of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then she added, "He gave me these six measures of barley; because he said to me, "You shouldn't return to your mother-in-law with nothing."
Berean Standard Bible:
And she said, “He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
American Standard Version:
And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And she said{H559}, These six{H8337} measures of barley{H8184} gave{H5414} he me; for he said{H559} to me, Go{H935} not empty{H7387} unto thy mother in law{H2545}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Ruth 3:17
Ruth 3:17 is a verse from the Old Testament that captures a moment in the book of Ruth, which is set during the period of the Judges, a time of spiritual declension and moral chaos in Israel. The book tells the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who, after being widowed, chooses to stay with her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, rather than return to her own people. This act of loyalty and kindness is central to the book's themes of hesed (loving-kindness) and redemption.
In the verse, Ruth is speaking to Naomi after visiting Boaz, a relative of Naomi's late husband, at the threshing floor during the night. Boaz is a man of standing and a close relative, who could act as a kinsman-redeemer, a role that included the responsibility to marry a childless widow to continue the family line and to redeem any lost family property. Ruth's visit is a culturally sanctioned request for Boaz to fulfill this role for her and Naomi.
The six measures of barley that Ruth mentions are significant. In the ancient Near East, the number six often represents human effort or imperfection, as it falls short of the divine number seven. Barley, being a staple food, represents sustenance and provision. Boaz's gift of barley to Ruth indicates his generosity and his willingness to provide for her and Naomi. It also serves as a tangible sign of his commitment to their family's welfare, foreshadowing his role as their kinsman-redeemer.
The phrase "for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law" reflects Boaz's concern that Ruth and Naomi should not return to their people in a state of want or humiliation. His instructions to Ruth ensure that she returns to Naomi with a gift that not only provides for their immediate needs but also symbolizes the hope of future redemption and restoration.
In summary, Ruth 3:17 highlights the themes of loyalty, kindness, and redemption within the historical context of Israel's customary law regarding widows and kinsman-redeemers. The verse captures the moment when Ruth, having acted with courage and resourcefulness, receives a promise of provision and protection from Boaz, setting the stage for the eventual redemption of Naomi's family line and property, which has significant implications for the continuation of the Davidic line, leading to King David himself.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H8337
There are 203 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁשׁ
Transliteration: shêsh
Pronunciation: shaysh
Description: masculine שִׁשָּׁה; a primitive number; compare שׂוּשׂ; six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth; six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. - Strong's Number: H8184
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׂעֹרָה
Transliteration: sᵉʻôrâh
Pronunciation: seh-o-raw'
Description: or שְׂעוֹרָה (feminine meaning the plant); and (masculine meaning the grain); also שְׂעֹר; or שְׂעוֹר; from שָׂעַר in the sense of roughness; barley (as villose); barley. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H7387
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֵיקָם
Transliteration: rêyqâm
Pronunciation: ray-kawm'
Description: from רֵיק; emptily; figuratively (objective) ineffectually, (subjective) undeservedly; without cause, empty, in vain, void. - Strong's Number: H2545
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲמוֹת
Transliteration: chămôwth
Pronunciation: kham-oth'
Description: or (shortened) חֲמֹת; feminine of חָם; a mother-in-law; mother in law.