Ruth3

Naomi instructs Ruth to approach Boaz at the threshingfloor, discreetly lying at his feet to seek his protection as a kinsman-redeemer. Ruth obeys, and when Boaz discovers her, she requests him to spread his skirt over her. Boaz commends her virtue and agrees to act as redeemer, but notes a nearer kinsman has the first right. He sends Ruth home with a gift of barley, promising to settle the matter swiftly.
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Naomi Instructs Ruth's Bold Action

1
One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek a resting place for you, that it may be well with you? ​
2
Now is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been working, a relative of ours? In fact, tonight he is winnowing barley on the threshing floor. ​
3
Therefore wash yourself, put on perfume, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. ​
4
When he lies down, note the place where he lies. Then go in and uncover his feet, and lie down, and he will explain to you what you should do.” ​
5
“I will do everything you say,” Ruth answered.

The Encounter at the Threshing Floor

6
So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law had instructed her to do.
7
After Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then Ruth 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
“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.” ​

Boaz Promises to Act as Kinsman Redeemer

10
Then Boaz said, “May the LORD bless you, my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before, because you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. ​
11
And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character. ​
12
Yes, it is true that I am a kinsman-redeemer, but there is a redeemer nearer than I. ​
13
Stay here tonight, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, good. Let him redeem you. But if he does not want to redeem you, as surely as the LORD lives, I will. Now lie here until morning.” ​

The Morning Departure and Naomi’s Assurance

14
So she lay down at his feet until morning, but she got up before anyone else could recognize her. Then Boaz said, “Do not let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor.” ​
15
And he told her, “Bring the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he shoveled six measures of barley into her shawl. Then he went into the city. ​
16
When Ruth returned to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked her, “How did it go, my daughter?” Then Ruth told her all that Boaz had done for her.
17
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.’”
18
“Wait, my daughter,” said Naomi, “until you find out how things go, for he will not rest unless he has resolved the matter today.” ​

Study Notes for Ruth 3

Verse 1

Naomi seeks 'rest' (*menuchah*) for Ruth, which biblically signifies security, stability, and the protection afforded by a stable household and marriage. This is Naomi’s last act of maternal provision.

Verse 2

The threshing floor was typically a raised, open-air area outside the city walls. Boaz winnowing grain at night was normal practice, utilizing the evening breeze, but it provided a secluded setting for Naomi’s plan.

Verse 3

Washing, anointing, and putting on her best clothes symbolized Ruth shedding the garb of mourning and widowhood, preparing herself for a new life and a serious proposition.

Verse 4

The action of uncovering the feet and lying down was a symbolic, vulnerable gesture, not inherently sexual, signaling to Boaz that she was seeking his protection and requesting him to perform the duty of the kinsman redeemer (*go'el*).

Verse 7

The phrase 'his heart was merry' indicates a sense of contentment and satisfaction after a good harvest meal, setting the stage for the midnight awakening and subsequent conversation.

Verse 9

Ruth’s request, 'spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid,' is a formal plea for marriage and protection. The 'skirt' (or 'wing') metaphor echoes Boaz’s blessing in 2:12, linking his human protection to God’s divine provision.

Verse 10

Boaz praises Ruth for showing 'more kindness in the latter end' (to Naomi and the deceased family line) by seeking marriage with an older relative like him, rather than pursuing younger men for personal gain.

Verse 11

The phrase 'virtuous woman' (Hebrew: *'ishshah chayil*) is the highest compliment, denoting strength, capability, and moral excellence. This public acknowledgment validates Ruth’s character and removes any suspicion about her actions that night.

Verse 12

Boaz immediately acknowledges the requirement of the law of the *go'el* (kinsman redeemer), which obligated the closest relative to buy back land and marry the widow to perpetuate the deceased’s family name.

Verse 13

Boaz’s oath, 'as the LORD liveth,' guarantees his commitment. He respects the legal priority of the nearer kinsman but guarantees his own action if the first kinsman declines the duty.

Verse 14

The secrecy was crucial to protect Ruth’s reputation from scandal and to maintain the integrity of the legal process Boaz was about to initiate concerning the nearer kinsman.

Verse 15

The six measures of barley serve as both a substantial provision for Naomi and Ruth, and a tangible token of Boaz’s promise, assuring Naomi that the matter has been dealt with decisively.

Verse 18

Naomi’s final words display absolute trust in Boaz’s character. She understands that a man of his integrity, having made a commitment, will not rest until the legal and familial matter is completely settled that day.

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