Naomi transforms from passive recipient of loyalty into active strategist, using imperative verbs ("wash," "anoint," "go down") that mirror divine commands elsewhere in Scripture.
Ruth 3
Naomi's Plan for Ruth
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.”
Ruth at the Threshing Floor
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?” She answered, “I am Ruth your servant. Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your servant; for you are a near kinsman.”
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.
Ruth Returns to Naomi
16When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?” She told her all that the man had done for her.
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.”
Font Size 17pt
Line Spacing
Theme
Naomi devises a plan for Ruth to approach Boaz at the threshing floor, seeking security through the kinsman-redeemer tradition. Ruth courageously follows Naomi's instructions, approaching Boaz at night and requesting his protection as a near kinsman. Boaz responds with honor and kindness, promising to fulfill his duty as redeemer while acknowledging a closer relative must be consulted first, and sends Ruth home with grain as a sign of his commitment.
Context
This chapter builds on Ruth's gleaning in Boaz's field from chapter 2, setting up the legal proceedings and marriage resolution that will conclude in chapter 4.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-5 Naomi's Plan for Ruth Naomi instructs Ruth to approach Boaz at the threshing floor to seek rest and security through kinsman-redeemer rights.
- 6-9 Ruth's Approach Ruth obediently follows Naomi's plan, approaching the sleeping Boaz and requesting his protection as a near kinsman.
- 10-13 Boaz's Response Boaz blesses Ruth for her loyalty and promises to act as kinsman-redeemer, though noting a closer relative must be consulted first.
- 14-18 Ruth's Return Boaz sends Ruth home with grain before dawn, and Naomi assures her that Boaz will resolve the matter quickly.
Naomi's Plan for Ruth
3:1–3:5 narrative dialogue contemplative
Naomi devises a plan for Ruth to approach Boaz at the threshing floor to seek his protection as kinsman-redeemer. Ruth agrees to follow Naomi's instructions completely.
person_contrast
Naomi transforms from passive recipient of loyalty into active strategist, using imperative verbs ("wash," "anoint," "go down") that mirror divine commands elsewhere in Scripture.
Ruth at the Threshing Floor
3:6–3:15 narrative narration tender
Ruth approaches Boaz at night and requests his protection as kinsman-redeemer. Boaz blesses her for her loyalty and promises to fulfill the kinsman's duty, though another relative has prior claim.
person_contrast
Ruth's nighttime approach to Boaz transforms her from passive recipient of kindness into active agent of her own destiny, reversing the typical power dynamics between vulnerable widow and male protector.
Ruth Returns to Naomi
3:16–3:18 narrative dialogue hopeful
Ruth reports to Naomi about her encounter with Boaz and the gift of barley he gave her. Naomi counsels patience, confident that Boaz will resolve the matter quickly.
person_contrast
Ruth's transformation from active agent to passive waiter marks the only time in the book where she must depend entirely on others' decisions rather than her own bold initiatives.
Insights
Ruth's nighttime approach to Boaz transforms her from passive recipient of kindness into active agent of her own destiny, reversing the typical power dynamics between vulnerable widow and male protector.
Ruth's transformation from active agent to passive waiter marks the only time in the book where she must depend entirely on others' decisions rather than her own bold initiatives.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Ruth 3:2 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
v. 10
v. 11
v. 12
v. 13
v. 14
v. 15
v. 16
v. 17
v. 18
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages