Ruth — Chapter 3

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1Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

2And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

3Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

4And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

5And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

6And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.

7And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

8And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

9And 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.

10And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

11And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

12And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

13Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.

14And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

15Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

16And 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.

17And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

18Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

1And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

2And now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor.

3Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the threshing-floor, but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

4And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

5And she said unto her, All that thou sayest I will do.

6And she went down unto the threshing-floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her.

7And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

8And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

9And 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.

10And he said, Blessed be thou of Jehovah, my daughter: thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

11And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou sayest; for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a worthy woman.

12And now it is true that I am a near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

13Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman`s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as Jehovah liveth: lie down until the morning.

14And she lay at his feet until the morning. And she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor.

15And he said, Bring the mantle that is upon thee, and hold it; and she held it; and he measured six [measures] of barley, and laid it on her: and he went into the city.

16And 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.

17And she said, These six [measures] of barley gave he me; for he said, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.

18Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall; for the man will not rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

1At that time, Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you so you will be secure.

2Now Boaz, with whose female servants you worked, is our close relative. Look, tonight he is winnowing barley at the threshing floor.

3So bathe yourself, rub on some perfumed oil, and get dressed up. Then go down to the threshing floor. But don’t let the man know you’re there until he finishes his meal.

4When he gets ready to go to sleep, take careful notice of the place where he lies down. Then go, uncover his legs, and lie down beside him. He will tell you what you should do.”

5Ruth replied to Naomi, “I will do everything you have told me to do.”

6So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law had instructed her to do.

7When Boaz had finished his meal and was feeling satisfied, he lay down to sleep at the far end of the grain heap. Then Ruth crept up quietly, uncovered his legs, and lay down beside him.

8In the middle of the night he was startled and turned over. Now he saw a woman lying beside him!

9He said, “Who are you?” She replied, “I am Ruth, your servant. Marry your servant, for you are a guardian of the family interests.”

10He said, “May you be rewarded by the Lord, my dear! This act of devotion is greater than what you did before. For you have not sought to marry one of the young men, whether rich or poor.

11Now, my dear, don’t worry! I intend to do for you everything you propose, for everyone in the village knows that you are a worthy woman.

12Now yes, it is true that I am a guardian, but there is another guardian who is a closer relative than I am.

13Remain here tonight. Then in the morning, if he agrees to marry you, fine, let him do so. But if he does not want to do so, I promise, as surely as the Lord lives, to marry you. Sleep here until morning.”

14So she slept beside him until morning. She woke up while it was still dark. Boaz thought, “No one must know that a woman visited the threshing floor.”

15Then he said, “Hold out the shawl you are wearing and grip it tightly.” As she held it tightly, he measured out about 60 pounds of barley into the shawl and put it on her shoulders. Then he went into town,

16and she returned to her mother-in-law. When Ruth returned to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did things turn out for you, my daughter?” Ruth told her about all the man had done for her.

17She said, “He gave me these 60 pounds of barley, for he said to me, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

18Then Naomi said, “Stay put, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out. For the man will not rest until he has taken care of the matter today.”

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 lay 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 laid 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 Yahweh, 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 Yahweh 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?” 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.”

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

At Naomi's instruction, Ruth goes to the threshing floor at night and asks Boaz to act as her kinsman-redeemer. Boaz agrees but reveals there is a nearer kinsman who has first right of redemption.

Authorship & Background

Author: Unknown, traditionally attributed to Samuel. Ruth is set 'in the days when the judges ruled' (1:1) but provides a beautiful contrast to the moral chaos of Judges. While Judges ends with 'every man did that which was right in his own eyes,' Ruth shows ordinary people living faithfully in dark times. The book demonstrates God's providence, the kinsman-redeemer (go'el) concept, and the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan. Ruth, a Moabite woman, becomes the great-grandmother of David and an ancestor of Christ (Matthew 1:5).
Historical Context: Chapter 3 records the threshing floor encounter — one of the most carefully narrated scenes in the Old Testament. The harvest is ending. Naomi, whose bitterness has given way to hope since learning of Boaz (2:20), now takes initiative to secure Ruth's future. Her plan involves the threshing floor — an open-air, elevated area where grain was separated from chaff by wind. During harvest, owners slept at the threshing floor to guard their grain from theft. Naomi instructs Ruth to wash, anoint herself, put on her best garment, and go to Boaz at night — to uncover his feet and lie down. The scene is charged with potential misunderstanding, and the narrator is aware of it. Every detail is chosen to show that both Ruth and Boaz act with complete propriety despite the compromising appearance. Ruth's request — "spread thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman" (v.9) — is a formal proposal of marriage under the kinsman-redeemer obligation. The Hebrew "k'naf" (wing/skirt/corner of garment) directly echoes Boaz's own prayer in 2:12: "under whose wings thou art come to trust." Ruth is asking Boaz to be the answer to his own prayer — to extend God's sheltering wing through the act of redemption. Boaz's response reveals his character: he is honored, not offended. He calls her act "kindness" (hesed) — she has chosen him, an older man, over younger suitors (v.10). He affirms her reputation: "all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman" (v.11). But there is a complication: a nearer kinsman exists who has first right of redemption (v.12). Boaz cannot simply act on desire — he must honor the legal process. His integrity is remarkable: he wants to redeem Ruth, he has the right to do so if the nearer kinsman declines, but he will not circumvent proper order. He swears an oath — "as the LORD liveth" (v.13) — binding himself to act. He then protects Ruth's reputation (v.14) and sends her home with six measures of barley (v.15) — provision for Naomi and a pledge of his intent. Naomi's final counsel: "Sit still, my daughter... the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day" (v.18). She knows Boaz's character. He will not delay.
Naomi's Plan (vv.1-5): Naomi seeks "rest" (Hebrew "manoach") for Ruth — the same word she used in 1:9 when she wished both daughters-in-law would find "rest" in a husband's house. The plan is bold but not improper within the cultural context. Washing, anointing, and dressing signal that Ruth is presenting herself not as a gleaner but as a woman available for marriage. "Make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking" (v.3) — timing matters. Boaz must be relaxed, satisfied, and in a position to respond thoughtfully. The instruction to "uncover his feet and lay thee down" (v.4) is a posture of submission and request — placing herself at his feet as a supplicant. Ruth's obedience is immediate and complete: "All that thou sayest unto me I will do" (v.5).
The Midnight Encounter (vv.6-9): Boaz eats, drinks, and "his heart was merry" (v.7) — not drunk, but content after a good harvest. He sleeps at the end of the grain heap — guarding his threshing floor. At midnight he wakes startled — "the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet" (v.8). His question "Who art thou?" in the darkness receives Ruth's answer: "I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman" (v.9). The word "handmaid" (Hebrew "amah") is a step up from "servant" (shiphchah) which she used in 2:13 — "amah" implies a woman eligible for marriage. Her request is direct, humble, and legally grounded. She names the obligation: you are a go'el. She names the action: spread your wing over me. She leaves the decision to him.
Boaz's Honorable Response (vv.10-15): Boaz blesses Ruth and identifies her act as "kindness" (hesed) — greater than her first kindness (loyalty to Naomi). The "latter kindness" is choosing him — an older man — rather than pursuing younger men (v.10). He calls her "a virtuous woman" (Hebrew "eshet chayil") — the same phrase used of the ideal woman in Proverbs 31:10. He acknowledges the complication: a nearer kinsman exists (v.12). His oath — "as the LORD liveth, I will do the part of a kinsman to thee" (v.13) — is conditional only on the nearer kinsman's refusal. He will act within proper legal channels but he will act. His protection of her reputation (v.14) and his generous gift of barley (v.15) demonstrate both honor and commitment. The six measures of barley are both practical provision and symbolic pledge — "Go not empty unto thy mother in law" (v.17) echoes Naomi's complaint in 1:21 ("the LORD hath brought me home again empty"). Boaz is filling what God emptied.
Naomi's Confidence (v.18): "Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day." Naomi knows Boaz. His character guarantees his action. When a man of integrity makes an oath, the outcome is certain — only the timing remains. This is also a picture of faith: having done what we can, we wait for God (through faithful people) to complete what only He can do.

Map & Geography

  • The threshing floor: Located outside Bethlehem, likely on an elevated, open hilltop to catch the evening wind for winnowing
  • Threshing floors were communal agricultural sites where grain was separated from chaff — a public/commercial space
  • Ruth goes "down" to the threshing floor (v.3) — Bethlehem is on a ridge; the floor is on a lower slope

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik emphasizes that the threshing floor scene, while potentially scandalous in appearance, is narrated to show complete propriety. He notes the connection between "wings" (2:12) and "skirt" (3:9) as the same Hebrew word — Boaz becomes God's instrument of shelter.
  • Charles Spurgeon: "Ruth said, 'Spread thy skirt over thine handmaid, for thou art a near kinsman.' She asked for the covering of his protection, the shelter of his name, the security of his redemption. And is this not what every sinner must say to Christ? 'Spread Thy righteousness over me, for Thou art my Redeemer.' We come to Him with nothing but our need. We name His obligation — He has taken upon Himself the role of Kinsman-Redeemer. We ask for covering — His righteousness for our shame. And He, like Boaz, does not refuse. He says, 'Fear not; I will do for thee all that thou requirest.' What grace! What condescension! The mighty Redeemer stoops to the Moabitess at His feet."

Reflection

  • 1. Bold faith within proper boundaries (v.9). Ruth's request is audacious — a foreign widow proposing marriage to a wealthy landowner at night on a threshing floor. Yet it is entirely proper: she names the legal basis (go'el), she approaches with humility (handmaid), and she leaves the decision to him. Bold faith is not reckless — it acts courageously within God's established order.
  • 2. Integrity submits desire to proper process (vv.12-13). Boaz wants to redeem Ruth. He has the means and the motive. But a nearer kinsman has prior right. Boaz will not take a shortcut, even for a good outcome. Integrity means doing the right thing the right way, even when a faster path is available. The end does not justify improper means.
  • 3. Reputation is built before it is needed (v.11). "All the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman." Ruth's character was established through months of quiet faithfulness — gleaning, serving Naomi, working without complaint. When the moment of opportunity came, her reputation preceded her. Character built in obscurity becomes currency in crisis.
  • 4. God answers prayers through the people who pray them (v.9 / 2:12). Boaz prayed for God's wings to shelter Ruth. Now Ruth asks Boaz to spread his wing over her. God's answer to Boaz's prayer is Boaz himself. When we pray for others' needs, we should ask: am I the answer God intends to send?
  • 5. After faithful action, wait (v.18). "Sit still, my daughter." Ruth has done everything she can. Now she must wait for Boaz to act. There is a time to act and a time to rest. Having been faithful in our part, we trust God (and faithful people) to complete what only they can do. Anxiety after obedience is a failure of trust.