FocusA request and an unresolved right
Connection to the wholeRuth's appeal receives a favorable response, but Boaz identifies the nearer kinsman's prior right.
interpretation Ruth 3:10
KJVAnd 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.
Read it in context
Ruth at the threshing floor
Start reading at Ruth 3:1 (Ruth 3:1 to Ruth 3:15).
Begin at 3:1 so Naomi's instructions are in view.
Ruth asks Boaz to spread his skirt over her; he agrees, noting a nearer kinsman must be given first right.
- 3:1 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?
- 3:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
- 3:3 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.
- 3:4 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.
- 3:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
- 3:6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
- 3:7 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.
- 3:8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
- 3:9 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.
- 3:10 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.
- 3:11 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.
- 3:12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
- 3:13 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.
- 3:14 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.
- 3:15 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Samuel is the traditional Jewish attribution, but the identity of the final writer is uncertain. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Ruth 3:1–3:18): Naomi advises Ruth; Ruth then addresses Boaz at the threshing floor and receives his answer. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israelite readers, with particular interest in Ruth's incorporation into Israel and the family line leading to David. The book does not identify a named recipient. Biblical references: Ruth 1:16; Ruth 4:17; Ruth 4:22. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Ruth’s Redemption Assured. Read Ruth 3:1 through Ruth 3:18 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Ruth's appeal receives a favorable response, but Boaz identifies the nearer kinsman's prior right. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? Ruth 1:1 places the account in the days of the judges. The return to Bethlehem and later work are connected with barley and wheat harvests. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The story moves from Bethlehem to Moab and back to Bethlehem, including the field, threshing floor, and city gate. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Ruth at the threshing floor (Ruth 3:6 to Ruth 3:15). Start reading at Ruth 3:1. Begin at 3:1 so Naomi's instructions are in view.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Matthew's genealogy names Ruth and Boaz in the line leading to David and Jesus. Calling Boaz a type of Christ goes beyond that explicit genealogy and should be labeled as an interpretive comparison. See Ruth 4:21, Ruth 4:22, Matthew 1:5, Matthew 1:16. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Value loyal care, generous provision, and integrity in public dealings. Read the redemption arrangements in their family and legal setting before drawing a modern analogy. interpretation
Cited: Ruth 3:1, Ruth 3:18, Ruth 4:21, Ruth 4:22, Matthew 1:5, Matthew 1:16
Who wrote it, and how we know
Samuel (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Samuel.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated and is uncertain.
Related passages
- Blessed Ruth 2:4,20 1 Cor 13:4-5
- at the beginning Ruth 1:8
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Ruth 3
Ruth is set in the days of the judges and follows Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. The writer is not named. The genealogy explicitly leads to David; a further connection to Jesus rests on the later genealogy in Matthew. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Ruth 1:1 Ruth 4:22 Matthew 1:5
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Ruth
Ruth is set in the days of the judges and follows Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. The writer is not named. The genealogy explicitly leads to David; a further connection to Jesus rests on the later genealogy in Matthew.
Ruth 1:1 Ruth 4:22 Matthew 1:5
Loss and return
Ruth 1:1–22FocusNaomi and Ruth come to Bethlehem
Connection to the wholeThe losses in Moab and Ruth's commitment lead the two women to Bethlehem at harvest time.
interpretation Provision in the harvest
Ruth 2:1–23FocusRuth meets Boaz
Connection to the wholeRuth's gleaning and Boaz's kindness introduce the family relationship on which the later redemption depends.
interpretation FocusA request and an unresolved right
Connection to the wholeRuth's appeal receives a favorable response, but Boaz identifies the nearer kinsman's prior right.
interpretation Redemption and the family line
Ruth 4:1–22FocusA public settlement and a son
Connection to the wholeThe matter is settled before witnesses, Obed is born, and the genealogy connects this family's story with David.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.