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Ruth 3

Ruth asks Boaz for the protection of marriage, and he pledges to act while honoring a nearer kinsman’s claim.

Naomi sends Ruth to the threshing floor where Boaz is winnowing barley, hoping to secure rest for her daughter-in-law through marriage. Ruth follows Naomi’s directions, then asks Boaz to spread his garment over her because he is a near kinsman. Boaz praises her character and agrees to act, though a closer relative has the first claim. Ruth returns with barley for Naomi, who tells her to wait while Boaz settles the matter.

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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.
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.
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.
18Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know what will happen; for the man will not rest until he has settled this today.”
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Ruth 3:1Naomi’s desire to find rest for Ruth sets the plan in motion and frames marriage as a hope for security.
Ruth 3:3Naomi’s instructions prepare Ruth for the nighttime approach to Boaz, placing her request within a private encounter.
Ruth 3:11Boaz answers Ruth’s vulnerable request with reassurance, grounding his response in the reputation she has earned among his people.
Where this chapter reaches

Proverbs shares the language of a woman’s worth, while Ezekiel uses the spreading of a garment as an image of a marriage covenant. Deuteronomy provides related laws concerning marriage duties toward a deceased relative’s widow, though Ruth’s situation differs from the brother-in-law arrangement described there.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

What do Ruth’s request and Boaz’s response reveal about how each understands kindness and responsibility?

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What stands out about Naomi’s call to wait after Ruth has taken such a bold step?

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Questions people ask about Ruth 3

Why did Ruth uncover Boaz’s feet?

Naomi tells Ruth to uncover Boaz’s feet and lie down, but the chapter does not explain the gesture’s precise customary meaning. It creates the setting for Ruth’s request when Boaz wakes. The narrative records her lying at his feet and contains no statement that they had sexual relations.

What does spreading a garment over Ruth mean?

Ruth asks Boaz to spread the corner of his garment over her because he is a near kinsman. In context, this is a request for marriage and the protection it would bring. Boaz’s response about her choice of him over younger men supports that reading.

Why couldn’t Boaz agree to marry Ruth right away?

Boaz explains that another kinsman is nearer than he is. That relative must have the chance to perform the kinsman’s duty first. Boaz swears by YHWH that he will act if the nearer relative declines. The chapter ends before that man’s decision is known.

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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).