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
Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? ​
2
And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. ​
3
Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. ​
4
And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. ​
5
And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

The Encounter at the Threshing Floor

6
And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
7
And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. ​
8
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. ​

Boaz Promises to Act as Kinsman Redeemer

10
And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. ​
11
And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. ​
12
And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. ​
13
Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning. ​

The Morning Departure and Naomi’s Assurance

14
And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. ​
15
Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. ​
16
And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
17
And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
18
Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have 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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