Ruth 3:9

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.

And he said {H559}, Who art thou? And she answered {H559}, I am Ruth {H7327} thine handmaid {H519}: spread {H6566} therefore thy skirt {H3671} over thine handmaid {H519}; for thou art a near kinsman {H1350}.

He asked, "Who are you?" and she answered, "I'm your handmaid Rut. Spread your robe over your handmaid, because you are a redeeming kinsman."

“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.”

And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thy handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

Commentary

Ruth 3:9 captures a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of Ruth and Boaz, where Ruth, following Naomi's instructions, makes a direct and culturally significant plea to Boaz at the threshing floor. This verse is the heart of her request for protection and marriage.

Context

The book of Ruth details the journey of Ruth, a Moabite widow, who faithfully accompanies her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Bethlehem after their husbands and sons die. Destitute, Ruth begins gleaning in the fields of Boaz, a wealthy and upright relative of Naomi's late husband. Naomi, recognizing Boaz's potential role as a "kinsman-redeemer," instructs Ruth on a bold plan to appeal to Boaz at the threshing floor. This scene, occurring under the cover of night, is highly charged with cultural and legal implications, setting the stage for Ruth's future and the continuation of Elimelech's family line.

Key Themes

  • Petition for Protection and Marriage: Ruth's request to Boaz is a direct appeal for him to assume the role of a husband and protector. Her act is both humble ("thine handmaid") and courageous, demonstrating her commitment to Naomi and her future.
  • Fulfillment of the Kinsman-Redeemer Role: Ruth explicitly states Boaz's qualification: "for thou art a near kinsman." This highlights the importance of the go'el (kinsman-redeemer) in Israelite society, whose responsibilities included redeeming family property and, in cases like this, marrying a childless widow to raise up an heir for the deceased husband's name.
  • Divine Providence and Human Action: While Naomi orchestrates the plan, and Ruth bravely executes it, the unfolding events demonstrate God's sovereign hand guiding their steps, ultimately leading to the lineage of King David and, much later, Jesus Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid" is rich in symbolic meaning. The Hebrew word for "skirt" is kanaph (כָּנָף), which literally means "wing" or "extremity," often referring to the corner or hem of a garment. This gesture is a symbolic act of taking someone under one's protection, indicating a claim of ownership, and proposing marriage. It echoes Boaz's earlier blessing for Ruth to find refuge under the "wings" of the Lord God of Israel. Now, Ruth asks Boaz to be that earthly protector, fulfilling that very imagery.

The term "near kinsman" translates the Hebrew go'el (גֹּאֵל), which is the "kinsman-redeemer." This was a specific legal and social role in ancient Israel, responsible for protecting the family's interests, including buying back property, avenging blood, and performing levirate marriage as outlined in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. Ruth's appeal is a direct request for Boaz to fulfill this legal and moral obligation, an obligation Naomi had already recognized Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer.

Practical Application

Ruth 3:9 offers insights into trusting in God's provision even through bold, faithful actions. It highlights the importance of integrity and responsibility, as demonstrated by Boaz's character in considering and fulfilling his obligations. For believers, this narrative often serves as a powerful illustration of Christ as our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, who "spreads His skirt" of protection and salvation over us, bringing us into covenant relationship and securing our future.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 16:8 (13 votes)

    Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time [was] the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

  • Ruth 2:20 (8 votes)

    And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed [be] he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man [is] near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

  • Ruth 3:12 (6 votes)

    And now it is true that I [am thy] near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

  • Ruth 2:10 (4 votes)

    Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I [am] a stranger?

  • Ruth 2:13 (4 votes)

    Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

  • Luke 14:11 (3 votes)

    For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

  • 1 Samuel 25:41 (3 votes)

    And she arose, and bowed herself on [her] face to the earth, and said, Behold, [let] thine handmaid [be] a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.