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.

Naomi Instructs Ruth's Bold Action

1
Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? ​
2
Now isn’t Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he winnows barley tonight in the threshing floor. ​
3
Therefore wash yourself, anoint yourself, get dressed, and go down to the threshing floor, but don’t make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. ​
4
It shall be, when he lies down, that you shall mark the place where he shall lie, and you shall go in, and uncover his feet, and lay down; then he will tell you what you shall do.” ​
5
She said to her, “All that you say I will do.”

The Encounter at the Threshing Floor

6
She went down to the threshing floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law told her.
7
When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. She came softly, uncovered his feet, and laid her down. ​
8
At midnight, the man was startled and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9
He said, “Who are you?” She answered, “I am Ruth your handmaid. Therefore spread your skirt over your handmaid; for you are a near kinsman.” ​

Boaz Promises to Act as Kinsman Redeemer

10
He said, “Blessed are you by the LORD, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn’t follow young men, whether poor or rich. ​
11
Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid; I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people does know that you are a worthy woman. ​
12
Now it is true that I am a near kinsman; however there is a kinsman nearer than I. ​
13
Stay this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part. But if he will not do the part of a kinsman for you, then I will do the part of a kinsman for you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until the morning.” ​

The Morning Departure and Naomi’s Assurance

14
She lay at his feet until the morning. She rose up before one could discern another. For he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” ​
15
He said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” She held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; and he went into the city. ​
16
When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?” She told her all that the man had done to her.
17
She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’”
18
Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will fall; for the man will not rest, until he has finished the thing this day.” ​

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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