Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 3:16
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.
16. Who art thou ] i.e. how art thou? how hast thou fared? Cf. Gen 27:18.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Who art thou, my daughter? – In the dim twilight Rth 3:14 her mother was not sure at first who the young woman was, who sought admittance into the house.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Who art thou, my daughter? either, first, She did not distinctly know who she was, because it was dark, and so calls her daughter only in general, as elder women call the younger. But she could as easily have discerned who she was, as what her age was. Or, secondly, This is not a question of doubting, but of wonder, as if she had said, Art thou in very deed my daughter? I can hardly believe it. How comest thou hither in this manner, and thus early?
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And when she came to her mother in law,…. To Naomi, in Bethlehem:
she said, who art thou, my daughter? it being near dusk, she could not discern her, or perhaps she put the question before she opened the door and saw her; though one would think, if Ruth had called to her, she would have known her voice: rather therefore the particle may be rendered, “what” or “how” c, instead of “who”; and the sense be, what had befallen her? what success had she had? how had things gone with her? was she married or not? or rather, had she got a promise of it? or was it likely that she should be married? with which the answer agrees:
and she told her all that the man had done to her; what kindness he had shown her, what promises he had made to her, that either he, or a nearer kinsman, would marry her, and redeem her husband’s estate.
c “quid egisti?” V. L. “quid tibi?” Tigurine version; so R. Jonah in Aben Ezra, & Abendana in loc. “quomodo tu filia mea?” Nold. p. 602. No. 1626.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When Ruth returned home, her mother-in-law asked her, “ Who art thou? ” i.e., as what person, in what circumstances dost thou come? The real meaning is, What hast thou accomplished? Whereupon she related all that the man had done (cf. Rth 3:10-14), and that he had given her six measures of barley for her mother. The Masorites have supplied after , as at Rth 3:5, but without any necessity. The mother-in-law drew from this the hope that Boaz would now certainly carry out the matter to the desired end. “ Sit still, ” i.e., remain quietly at home (see Gen 38:11), “ till thou hearest how the affair turn out, ” namely, whether the nearer redeemer mentioned by Boaz, or Boaz himself, would grant her the Levirate marriage. The expression “fall,” in this sense, is founded upon the idea of the falling of the lot to the ground; it is different in Ezr 7:20. “ For the man will not rest unless he has carried the affair to an end this day. ” , except that, as in Lev 22:6, etc. (see Ewald, 356, b).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(16) who art thou?We can hardly view this as a simple question as to Ruths identity, but rather as meaning, how hast thou fared?
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. Who art thou, my daughter That is, In what character dost thou return as the espoused of Boaz, or only still a desolate widow?
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Who are you, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done to her.’
When she arrived home Naomi asked her, ‘Who are you my daughter?’ It was possibly intended to be an enquiry as to whether her status had changed. Was she still Ruth the widow, or was she now a prospective bride, betrothed to a wealthy man and enjoying the benefit of a kinsman redeemer (a goel)? Alternatively it might simply mean, ‘How did things go? What was the result of what you did’ Ruth then explained to her all that had happened.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
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.
Still spiritualizing the history of Ruth, we may remark on these verses, how strikingly they set forth the assurance seeking souls ought to have, so that it is impossible any of the praying seed of Jacob should ever seek the face of God in vain. When a poor awakened sinner hath been with Jesus, sought his face, implored his favour, and determines by grace to hang on him and his great salvation, until the Lord shall answer in mercy: as to Israel at the sea, the direction is, Stand still and see the salvation of God. We may in every instance, and upon every occasion, consider that prayer as good as a answered, which is asked in faith; founded in grace; and is resting upon covenant promises. And I do not know any passage in the whole bible more interesting, considered in reference to the person of the Lord Jesus, and his love and attention to his people, than this; in which Naomi saith: the man will not rest until he have finished the thing this day. A word which every true believer may use. The God-man Christ Jesus will not cease; doth not even now in glory remit one moment his priestly office, in the carrying on, and completing that redemption in his people, which on earth he finished for his people; when by righteousness he. justified them, and by the one offering of himself once offered, he perfected forever them that are sanctified. Heb 10:14 . Lord! help both Writer and Reader to believe the record which God hath given of his Son! 1Jn 5:10-12 . And there is one circumstance more in those precious words, considered as applicable to the person of the God-man Christ Jesus, which I could wish ever to keep in view myself, And which I would affectionately recommend to every hover of Jesus: namely, that the seeking soul is not more earnest for a speedy issue in his treaty with Jesus, than the Lord Jesus himself is. Reader! it is equally true in the case of every humble follower of Jesus, as in the instance of Boaz and Ruth, and may be said with equal truth and confidence, the God-man will not rest, until he have finished the thing, in this day of salvation. And what a relief would such a thought bring in every dark and trying hour, if cherished with full faith and affection under the influence of the Holy Ghost in the heart, that the soul is not more desirous to win Christ, than Christ to reveal himself to that soul, and to form himself there the hope of glory.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rth 3:16 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.
Ver. 16. And when she came to her mother-in-law. ] To whom she now made haste for three reasons, as is well observed: a (1.) For the danger of the way, being so early before day; (2.) The burden she bare, to be eased thereof; (3.) Her joy, to impart to her mother her happy success. The same reasons should prevail with us, to flee home to heaven: (1.) The danger we are in while in this dark world; (2.) The burden of sin; (3.) The joy we conceive of our future happiness.
Who art thou, my daughter?
All that the man had done unto her.
a Bernard.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Who art thou: Or, as the Vulgate renders, Quid egisti filia “What hast thou done, my daughter?” Rth 3:16
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rth 3:16-17. Who art thou, my daughter? Or rather, Is it thou, my daughter? He said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law There is no mention made before of Boaz thus speaking to her, but it is not unusual for the sacred writers, in the relation of a fact or event, to omit many little circumstances which they occasionally mention afterward. It is likely that Boaz intended this corn chiefly for Naomi, as he was that day either about to marry Ruth himself, or to provide her another husband.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
3:16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, {f} Who [art] thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
(f) Believing by her returning home that he had not taken her as his wife, she was astonished.