Bible Commentaries
Ruth 3

Introduction

Overview

Ruth 3:1, By Naomi’s instruction; Ruth 3:5, Ruth lies at Boaz’s feet; Ruth 3:8, Boaz acknowledges the right of a kinsman; Ruth 3:14, He sends her away with six measures of barley.

Verse 1

shall I not: Ruth 1:9, 1 Corinthians 7:36, 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Timothy 5:14

may be: Genesis 40:14, Deuteronomy 4:40, Psalms 128:2, Jeremiah 22:15, Jeremiah 22:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:18 - good Deuteronomy 5:29 - that it might Ephesians 6:3 - General

Verse 2

is not Boaz: Ruth 2:20-23, Deuteronomy 25:5, Deuteronomy 25:6, Hebrews 2:11-14

with whose: Ruth 2:8, Ruth 2:23

he winnoweth: It is probable that the winnowing of grain was effected by taking up a portion of the corn in a sieve, and letting it down slowly in the wind; thus the grain would, by its own weight, fall in one place, while the chaff, etc., would be carried a distance by the wind. It is said here that this was done at night; probably what was threshed out in the day was winnowed in the evening, when the sea breeze set in, which was common in Palestine.

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:25 - General Ruth 2:1 - kinsman

Verse 3

anoint thee: 2 Samuel 14:2, Psalms 104:15, Ecclesiastes 9:8, Matthew 6:17

put thy: Esther 5:1, 1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Timothy 2:10

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 12:20 - anointed Ezekiel 23:40 - thou didst Luke 7:46 - General

Verse 4

uncover his feet: or, lift up the clothes that are on his feet, 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Verse 6

and did: Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 1:8, John 2:5, John 15:14

Verse 7

his heart: Genesis 43:34, Judges 16:25, Judges 19:6, Judges 19:9, Judges 19:22, 2 Samuel 13:28, Esther 1:10, Psalms 104:15, Ecclesiastes 2:24, Ecclesiastes 3:12, Ecclesiastes 3:13, Ecclesiastes 8:15, Ecclesiastes 9:7, Ecclesiastes 10:19, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Ephesians 5:18

went to lie: Such was the simplicity of those early times, that the most wealthy persons looked after their own affairs, both at home and in the field. These threshing-floors were covered at top to keep off the rain, but lay open on all sides, that the wind might come in freely, for winnowing the corn; which being done, it is probable they were shut up at night, with doors fitted to them, that if any one lay there he might be kept warm, and the corn be secured from robbers.

Verse 9

Ruth: Ruth 2:10-13, 1 Samuel 25:41, Luke 14:11

spread therefore: Hebrew "spread thy wing;" the emblem of protection; and a metaphor taken from the young of fowls, which run under the wings of their mother from birds of prey. Even to the present day, when a Jew marries a woman, he throws the skirts of his talith over her, to signify that he has taken her under his protection. Ezekiel 16:8

a near kinsman: or, one that has right to redeem, Ruth 3:12, Ruth 2:20

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:25 - General Deuteronomy 22:30 - discover Deuteronomy 25:5 - husband's brother

Verse 10

Blessed: Ruth 2:4, Ruth 2:20, 1 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Corinthians 13:5

at the beginning: Ruth 1:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:18 - the most Genesis 14:19 - Blessed be Genesis 24:31 - thou Judges 17:2 - Blessed 1 Samuel 15:13 - Blessed 2 Samuel 2:5 - Blessed

Verse 11

city: Heb. gate, Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 31:10, Proverbs 31:29-31

Reciprocal: Ruth 4:13 - Boaz Philippians 4:8 - virtue 2 Peter 1:3 - virtue

Verse 12

there is: Ruth 4:1, Matthew 7:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:6

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:25 - General Ruth 2:1 - kinsman Ruth 3:9 - a near kinsman Ruth 4:5 - to raise up

Verse 13

if he will: Ruth 2:20, Ruth 4:5, Deuteronomy 25:5-9, Matthew 22:24-27

the Lord liveth: Judges 8:19, Jeremiah 4:2, 2 Corinthians 1:23, Hebrews 6:16

Reciprocal: Job 27:2 - God liveth

Verse 14

Let it not: Ecclesiastes 7:1, Romans 12:17, Romans 14:16, 1 Corinthians 10:32, 2 Corinthians 8:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, 1 Peter 2:12

Verse 15

veil: or sheet, or apron, The word mitpachath has been variously rendered. The LXX translate it נוסיזשלב, an apron, and Vulgate, pallium, a cloak. By the circumstances of the story, it must have been of a considerable size; and accordingly Dr. Shaw thinks it was no other than the hyke, the finer sort of which, such as are still worn by ladies and persons of distinction among the Arabs, he takes to answer to the נונכןע, or robe, of the ancient Greeks.

he measured: Isaiah 32:8; Galatians 6:10

six measures: The quantity of this barley is uncertain. The Targum renders it, shith sein, "six seahs." A seah contained about two gallons and a half, six of which must have been a very heavy load for a woman, and so the Targumist thought, for he adds, "And she received strength from the Lord to carry it."

Reciprocal: Isaiah 3:23 - veils

Verse 16

Who art thou: Or, as the Vulgate renders, Quid egisti filiȧ "What hast thou done, my daughter?" Ruth 3:16

Verse 18

Sit still: Psalms 37:3-5, Isaiah 28:16, Isaiah 30:7

Reciprocal: Psalms 132:4 - give sleep