Ruth 3
Big idea: Naomi sends Ruth to the threshing floor at night to ask Boaz, in effect, to be the redeemer his own blessing named. Ruth uncovers his feet and requests he “spread his garment” over her; Boaz, honored by her loyalty, agrees — but discloses a nearer kinsman who has first right. He sends her home with six measures of barley and a promise to settle it that day.
Boaz’s parting promise not to rest “until he has settled this today” (3:18) launches chapter 4’s legal showdown at the gate.
3:1–5 — Naomi’s plan
Naomi resolves to seek “rest” — security, a home — for Ruth. Knowing Boaz will be winnowing barley that night, she coaches Ruth: wash, anoint, dress, go down unseen, and when Boaz lies down, uncover his feet and lie there — he will tell her what to do. Ruth agrees to everything.
1 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now isn’t Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor. 3 Therefore 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. 4 It 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.” 5 She said to her, “All that you say, I will do.”
3:6–13 — The threshing floor
Ruth follows the plan; at midnight Boaz wakes to find a woman at his feet. Asked who she is, Ruth names herself his servant and asks him to “spread the corner of your garment over your servant, for you are a near kinsman” — a proposal of marriage-and-redemption. Boaz blesses her loyalty, agrees to act, but reveals a kinsman nearer than he who must be given first refusal.
6 She went down to the threshing floor, and did everything that her mother-in-law told her. 7 When 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. 8 At midnight, the man was startled and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 He 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.” 10 He 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. 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. 12 Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I. 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 Yahweh lives. Lie down until the morning.”
3:14–18 — Six measures, and wait
Ruth lies at his feet till dawn and leaves before she can be recognized, guarding both their honor. Boaz sends her off with six measures of barley “so you won’t go empty to your mother-in-law.” Naomi, hearing the report, tells Ruth to wait — Boaz will not rest until the matter is settled that very day.
14 She 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.” 15 He 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. 16 When 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. 17 She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’” 18 Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know what will happen; for the man will not rest until he has settled this today.”
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).