1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
2 And now [is] not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
3 Wash 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.
4 And 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.
5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
7 And 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.
8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9 And 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.
10 And 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.
11 And 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.
12 And now it is true that I [am thy] near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
13 Tarry 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.
14 And 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.
15 Also 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.
16 And 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.
17 And she said, These six [measures] of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
18 Then 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.
Summary of Ruth Chapter 3
Ruth Chapter 3 presents a pivotal moment in the narrative, as Ruth takes bold steps to secure her future and that of her mother-in-law, Naomi. The chapter is rich in themes of loyalty, love, and social customs of ancient Israel, particularly regarding levirate marriage and the role of the kinsman-redeemer.
Key Characters
- Ruth: The Moabite widow who demonstrates loyalty to Naomi and seeks to secure her future.
- Naomi: Ruth’s mother-in-law, who devises a plan for Ruth to approach Boaz.
- Boaz: A wealthy relative of Naomi’s deceased husband, who serves as a potential kinsman-redeemer.
Thematic Elements
- Loyalty and Commitment:
Ruth’s unwavering loyalty to Naomi is evident as she follows Naomi’s instructions, showcasing her commitment to both her mother-in-law and the family line of Naomi’s deceased husband.
- Social Customs and Kinsman-Redeemer:
The chapter highlights the practice of levirate marriage, where a relative marries a widow to preserve the family lineage. This cultural context is crucial for understanding Ruth’s actions.
- Faith and Providence:
Ruth’s actions reflect a deep faith in God’s provision. She trusts that by following Naomi’s plan, she is acting within God’s will for her life.
Plot Development
The chapter begins with Naomi instructing Ruth on how to approach Boaz at the threshing floor. Naomi’s plan involves Ruth dressing in her best clothes and uncovering Boaz’s feet while he sleeps, a symbolic act of seeking protection and marriage.
Naomi’s Strategy
Naomi’s advice to Ruth is strategic and reflects her understanding of social customs. She encourages Ruth to present herself to Boaz in a way that signals her intentions clearly, while also ensuring that she does so at a time when Boaz would be in a good mood after the harvest.
Ruth’s Actions
Ruth follows Naomi’s instructions meticulously, which demonstrates her trust in Naomi’s wisdom and her own desire to secure a future. When she approaches Boaz, she identifies herself and requests that he spread his cloak over her, a metaphor for protection and marriage.
Boaz’s Response
Boaz responds positively to Ruth’s proposal, acknowledging her loyalty to Naomi and her virtuous character. He agrees to fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer, but also mentions that there is a closer relative who has the first right to redeem. This introduces a sense of tension and anticipation regarding the outcome.
Conclusion and Implications
Ruth Chapter 3 sets the stage for the resolution of the narrative. It emphasizes the themes of loyalty, social customs, and divine providence. Ruth’s boldness and Boaz’s integrity highlight the importance of relationships and the fulfillment of God’s plans through human actions. The chapter leaves readers anticipating the next steps in Ruth and Boaz’s relationship and the implications for Naomi’s family line.
