Bible Commentary

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. 14. For he said ] i.e. to himself, he thought; ‘if I should say’ in Rth 1:12 has the same meaning. His … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 3:14”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 3:13”

And now it is true that I [am thy] near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 12. there is a kinsman nearer than I ] with a better right to do the kinsman’s part. Boaz displays a nice sense of honour, and a desire to adhere strictly to the rules of social … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 3:12”

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. 11. I will do to thee all that thou sayest ] Note Rth 3:4 ‘he will tell thee what thou shalt do’; but Ruth herself … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 3:11”

And he said, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD, my daughter: [for] thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 10. thou hast shewed more kindness ] At the outset Ruth had shewn her piety towards her mother in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 3:10”

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. 9. spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid ] This symbolic act denoted that the kinsman claimed the widow as his wife. Cf. Eze 16:8. The custom prevailed … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 3:9”

And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 8. and turned himself ] A reflexive from of the verb, which means ‘to grasp with a twisting motion’; the verb occurs again only in Jdg 16:29 (‘took hold of’), Job 6:18 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 3:8”

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. 7. at the end of the heap of corn ] To this day peasants are accustomed to sleep … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 3:7”

And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her. And she went down unto the floor,…. From the city of Bethlehem, from her mother-in-law’s house there, to the threshingfloor of Boaz, which was at some distance from it, and lower: and did according to all that her … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 3:6”

And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. The confidence she had in Naomis wisdom and piety, and true love to her, made her ready to follow her advice, wherein she was the more excusable, because she did not understand the laws and customs of the country, as Naomi … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 3:5”