Ruth Chapter 3 — Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor
Naomi instructs Ruth to approach Boaz at the threshing floor to seek security. Boaz agrees to act as her kinsman-redeemer if a closer relative declines.
1Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?
2Now isn’t Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor.
3Therefore 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.
4It shall be, when he lies down, that you shall note the place where he is lying. Then you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down. Then he will tell you what to do.”
5She said to her, “All that you say, I will do.”
6She went down to the threshing floor, and did everything that her mother-in-law told her.
7When 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 lay down.
8At midnight, the man was startled and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9He said, “Who are you?”
10He said, “You are blessed 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.
11Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman.
12Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I.
13Stay this night, and in the morning, if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until the morning.”
14She lay at his feet until the morning, then she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
15He 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; then he went into the city.
16When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?”
17She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’ ”
18Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know what will happen; for the man will not rest until he has settled this today.”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Ruth 3:11
“Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman.”
This verse highlights Boaz's recognition of Ruth's exceptional character and his commitment to help her.
Ruth 3:13
“Stay this night, and in the morning, if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, as the LORD lives.”
This establishes the legal framework of the story and Boaz's integrity in following traditional customs.
Chapter Summary
Naomi, seeking a permanent home for Ruth, instructs her daughter-in-law to approach Boaz at his threshing floor during the barley harvest. Ruth follows Naomi's instructions, waits for Boaz to finish eating, and lies down at his feet. When Boaz wakes up startled at midnight, Ruth identifies herself and asks him to spread his garment over her, a symbolic request for protection and marriage as a kinsman-redeemer. Boaz praises Ruth for her character, noting that the whole city knows she is a worthy woman. He expresses his willingness to marry her but explains that there is one relative closer than himself who has the first right of redemption. Boaz promises to resolve the legal matter the following morning. Before Ruth leaves, he gives her six measures of barley to take back to Naomi. Naomi advises Ruth to wait patiently, confident that Boaz will settle the matter immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Naomi wanted to find security for Ruth by arranging a marriage. She directed Ruth to approach Boaz, their kinsman, to request that he fulfill his role as a redeemer for their family.
Ruth's request for Boaz to spread his garment over her was a symbolic and formal request for protection and marriage. It invoked the concept of the kinsman-redeemer, a relative responsible for protecting the family's lineage.
According to Israelite law and custom, the closest male relative had the primary right and responsibility to redeem family land and marry the widow. Boaz acknowledged a relative closer than himself who had to be consulted first.
Study Note
The Hebrew word for the corner of the garment (kanaph) used in Ruth's request is the same word Boaz used in the previous chapter when describing God's wings of protection.
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