Ruth 3:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when she came {H935} to her mother in law {H2545}, she said {H559}, Who art thou, my daughter {H1323}? And she told {H5046} her all that the man {H376} had done {H6213} to her.

Complete Jewish Bible

When she came to her mother-in-law, she asked, "Who are you? My daughter?"She told her everything the man had done for her.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ruth 3:16 captures the highly anticipated return of Ruth to Naomi after her clandestine encounter with Boaz at the threshing floor. This pivotal moment reveals Naomi's anxious and hopeful inquiry into Ruth's status, asking not for her physical identity but for the outcome of her bold venture. Ruth, in turn, provides a full and transparent account of Boaz's honorable actions and promising commitment, setting the stage for the dramatic resolution of their family's plight and the securing of their future through the kinsman-redeemer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Boaz's sending Ruth away with six measures of barley, a symbolic gesture of provision and commitment, and his promise to resolve the matter of redemption the very next day ([Ruth 3:15](/ruth/3-15 "Ruth 3:15 - Boaz's Provision and Promise")). Ruth's return to Naomi's house in the early morning hours is the culmination of Naomi's audacious plan, outlined in detail at the beginning of the chapter ([Ruth 3:1-4](/ruth/3-1 "Ruth 3:1 - Naomi's Plan for Ruth's Security")). The entire chapter builds suspense around the night's events, and Ruth's report in [Ruth 3:16](/ruth/3-16 "Ruth 3:16 - Ruth's Return to Naomi") serves as the crucial bridge, informing Naomi and the reader of the successful initial steps toward redemption, thereby preparing for the decisive actions of Boaz at the city gate in the subsequent chapter ([Ruth 4](/ruth/4 "Ruth 4 - Boaz Redeems Ruth")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene at the threshing floor, though unconventional, was strategically chosen. Threshing floors were often located outside the village, making them somewhat secluded, yet still public enough for a man like Boaz to be present. The practice of a woman approaching a man in such a manner, particularly at night, would typically be scandalous. However, Naomi's instructions and Ruth's execution, coupled with Boaz's honorable character, transform a potentially compromising situation into one of integrity and covenant faithfulness. The concept of the "kinsman-redeemer" (Hebrew: *goel*), central to the book, is deeply rooted in Israelite law and custom, particularly concerning the preservation of family lineage and property, as detailed in texts like [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - Laws of Jubilee and Redemption") and [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5 "Deuteronomy 25:5-10 - Levirate Marriage"). Naomi's question reflects the societal importance of a woman's marital status and security in ancient Israel.
* **Key Themes:** [Ruth 3:16](/ruth/3-16 "Ruth 3:16 - Ruth's Return to Naomi") powerfully encapsulates several key themes. **Anticipation and Hope** are palpable in Naomi's urgent question, revealing her deep yearning for Ruth's "rest" or security ([Ruth 3:1](/ruth/3-1 "Ruth 3:1 - Naomi's Desire for Ruth's Security")). Naomi's inquiry is not about physical identification but about Ruth's changed prospects, reflecting the hope that the night's events have moved them closer to a secure future. **Trust and Transparency** are vividly displayed in Ruth's immediate and full disclosure to Naomi, reinforcing the profound and exemplary bond between them. This open communication is vital for the narrative's progression and underscores the strength of their familial connection. Furthermore, the verse highlights the **Progress of Redemption**, as Ruth's report confirms Boaz's decisive actions towards fulfilling the role of the *goel*, setting the stage for the formal act of redemption that will culminate in [Ruth 4](/ruth/4 "Ruth 4 - Boaz Redeems Ruth and Marries Ruth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"Who [art] thou" (Hebrew, _mî-ʾatt_):** While a literal translation is "who are you?", in this context, Naomi's question is not about Ruth's physical identity (she clearly knows it's Ruth). Instead, it's an anxious and hopeful inquiry about Ruth's *status* or *prospects* after the encounter with Boaz. It carries the nuance of "What is your situation now?" or "Have you secured your future?" This reflects the deep concern of a mother-in-law for her beloved daughter-in-law's security and future, particularly in a society where a woman's status was largely defined by her marital state.
* **"the man" (Hebrew, _hāʾîš_):** This refers specifically to Boaz. The definite article "the" indicates that both Naomi and Ruth know precisely who is being discussed. Ruth's report details "all that the man had done to her," which encompasses Boaz's honorable response to her request, his promise to redeem, and his provision of barley. This phrase encapsulates the decisive actions taken by Boaz that night, which are crucial for the narrative's progression toward resolution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when she came to her mother in law":** This clause signifies Ruth's immediate return to Naomi's house, likely at dawn, after leaving the threshing floor. Her prompt return underscores her obedience to Naomi's instructions and her eagerness to report the outcome. It also highlights the close bond and shared anticipation between the two women.
* **"she said, Who [art] thou, my daughter?":** This is Naomi's urgent and deeply significant question. As discussed in the key word analysis, it's a question about Ruth's *status* or *outcome* rather than her identity. Naomi is asking, "What is your standing now?" or "Has your situation changed for the better?" This reveals Naomi's intense hope and anxiety for Ruth's security and future.
* **"And she told her all that the man had done to her":** This clause emphasizes Ruth's complete and transparent disclosure to Naomi. "All that the man had done" refers to Boaz's honorable treatment of Ruth, his acknowledgment of his kinsman-redeemer duty, his promise to act, and his provision of the six measures of barley. This full report is crucial for Naomi to understand the progress made and to strategize the next steps in securing Ruth's future.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in [Ruth 3:16](/ruth/3-16 "Ruth 3:16 - Ruth's Return to Naomi") masterfully employs **Dialogue** to advance the plot and reveal character. Naomi's question, "Who [art] thou, my daughter?" is a poignant example of **Rhetorical Question**, as it's not a literal inquiry about identity but a loaded question about status and outcome, conveying her deep anxiety and hopeful anticipation. Ruth's immediate and full response demonstrates **Transparency** and reinforces the profound **Trust** between the two women, a central theme of the book. The mention of "the man" is a form of **Anaphora** (though subtle here, it refers back to Boaz, whose actions have been the focus), and it serves as a narrative shorthand, indicating that both characters and the reader are fully aware of the subject. The entire exchange builds **Suspense**, as the reader, like Naomi, eagerly awaits the details of the night's events and their implications for the future.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ruth 3:16 stands as a testament to the providential working of God through human faithfulness, courage, and wise counsel. Naomi's proactive guidance and Ruth's trusting obedience are instrumental in moving the narrative towards its redemptive conclusion. The verse underscores the importance of community and mutual support, particularly within familial bonds, as Naomi and Ruth navigate their vulnerable circumstances together. It also highlights the theme of divine sovereignty interwoven with human agency; while God is not explicitly mentioned in this verse, His unseen hand is guiding the events, bringing about a secure future for the marginalized. The transparent communication between Ruth and Naomi models a healthy, trusting relationship, essential for navigating life's uncertainties and pursuing God's purposes.

* [Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Wisdom in Counsel")
* [Proverbs 15:22](/proverbs/15-22 "Proverbs 15:22 - The Value of Many Counselors")
* [Galatians 6:2](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bearing One Another's Burdens")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ruth 3:16 invites us to reflect on the nature of trust and transparency in our most intimate relationships. Naomi's anxious question and Ruth's immediate, full disclosure model a profound level of mutual respect and reliance. In our own lives, are we willing to seek wise counsel from trusted mentors, and are we equally willing to be transparent about our situations, even when vulnerable? This verse also speaks to the importance of waiting with hopeful anticipation for God's purposes to unfold, even after we have taken courageous steps of faith. Naomi's patience and Ruth's obedience, despite the unconventional nature of their actions, ultimately lead to a secure future. We are reminded that God often works through ordinary people and their faithful, often daring, choices to bring about extraordinary outcomes. This passage encourages us to act with integrity and trust in God's provision, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the dynamic between Ruth and Naomi in this verse exemplify healthy, trusting relationships?**
* **In what areas of your life are you waiting with anticipation for God's next move, and how does this verse encourage you in that waiting?**
* **When seeking counsel, how important is transparency, and what does Ruth's example teach us about it?**
* **How does this passage remind us that God often uses human actions, even unconventional ones, to fulfill His divine purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why does Naomi ask, "Who [art] thou, my daughter?" if she knows it's Ruth?**

Answer: Naomi's question is not a literal inquiry about Ruth's physical identity. Instead, it's an idiom or a rhetorical question expressing deep anxiety and hopeful anticipation about Ruth's *status* or *outcome* after her encounter with Boaz at the threshing floor. Naomi is essentially asking, "What is your situation now? Has your status changed? Have you secured a path to marriage and security?" This reflects the immense importance of a woman's marital and economic security in ancient Israelite society and Naomi's profound concern for Ruth's future, aligning with her earlier desire for Ruth to find "rest" ([Ruth 3:1](/ruth/3-1 "Ruth 3:1 - Naomi's Desire for Ruth's Security")). Her question is a poignant expression of her eagerness to know if their bold plan has succeeded.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Ruth, culminating in [Ruth 3:16](/ruth/3-16 "Ruth 3:16 - Ruth's Return to Naomi") with the promise of redemption, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Just as Boaz, a wealthy and honorable man, willingly steps into the role of *goel* to redeem Ruth and the family line of Elimelech, so Christ, who is rich in grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), willingly became poor to redeem humanity ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). Ruth's vulnerability and need for a redeemer mirror humanity's spiritual destitution and inability to redeem itself from the bondage of sin ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Boaz's promise to act decisively at the gate ([Ruth 3:18](/ruth/3-18 "Ruth 3:18 - Naomi's Confidence in Boaz")) finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's decisive act on the cross, where He paid the price for our redemption ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood")). Through Christ, we, like Ruth, are brought from a state of insecurity and barrenness into a secure inheritance and a new family, becoming co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Co-heirs with Christ")) and part of the lineage that ultimately leads to the King of kings ([Matthew 1:1-16](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ")). The hope and security anticipated in [Ruth 3:16](/ruth/3-16 "Ruth 3:16 - Ruth's Return to Naomi") are fully realized in the person and work of Jesus, our perfect and compassionate Redeemer.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.