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Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:1-18

Naomi’s plan (3:1-18)By the time reaping was over, the widows had put aside enough grain to last them till the next summer. But Naomi was concerned for Ruth’s future, and suggested that she marry (3:1).One difficulty was that Naomi had no sons still living; that is, there were no brothers of Ruth’s late husband whom Ruth could marry. Naomi therefore suggested Boaz, as he was apparently the closest living relative. In addition, he had shown some interest in Ruth. Naomi thought out a plan whereby... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ruth 3:5

unto me. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, omit these words. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ruth 3:6

RUTH'S OBEDIENCE AND BOAZ' FAVORABLE RESPONSE (Ruth 3:6-13)"And she went down unto the threshing-floor, and did according to all her mother-in-law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk; and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain: and she came softly and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ruth 3:1-5

1. Naomi’s plan to secure rest for Ruth 3:1-5Naomi had expressed a desire back in Moab that each of her daughters-in-law might find "rest" (Ruth 1:9). The Hebrew word reads "security" in the NASB and "a home" in the NIV, but its meaning in other parts of the Old Testament is a place or condition of rest. [Note: See my note on 1:9.] Naomi’s concern for Ruth extended beyond her physical needs of food and safety to Ruth’s deeper need for a husband and, hopefully, a son. God had promised to bless... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ruth 3:6-13

2. Ruth’s encouragement and Boaz’s response 3:6-13Ruth carried out Naomi’s instructions exactly, further demonstrating her loyal love to her mother-in-law, and encouraged Boaz to pursue the possibility of marriage (Ruth 3:6-9). Boaz’s response to Ruth’s actions is as remarkable as what she did."Note that the threshingfloor was a public place and that these incidents all took place in the open. Both men and women were lying about the threshingfloor. Entire families were gathered there. There was... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:1-18

The Appeal to Boaz1. Marriages are always arranged by the parents in Eastern lands; here, of course, the mother-in-law must intervene.2-7. Grain is winnowed in the evening, to avoid the heat of the day and take advantage of the cool sea-wind, which blows in Palestine from 4 p.m. to half-an-hour before sunset. As a rule the threshing floor, which is an open space of clean, hard, dry ground, is on an elevated spot. But at Beth-lehem it was necessary to go ’down’ to it, because the town is on the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ruth 3:3-5

(3-5) The plan suggested by Naomi seems peculiar, yet some thoughts may give a certain colouring to it. (1) Naomi seems to have believed that Boaz was the nearest kinsman, being ignorant of the yet nearer one (Ruth 3:12). Consequently, according to Israelite law (Deuteronomy 25:5 sqq.), it would be the duty of Boaz to marry Ruth to raise up seed to the dead. (2) The general tone of Naomi’s character is clearly shown in this book to be that of a God-fearing woman, so that it is certain that,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ruth 3:5

(5) I will do.—Ruth’s obedience here is an intelligent obedience. She knew in what relation Boaz stood for her family, and the duties attaching to the relationship (Ruth 2:20; Ruth 3:9). Thus with obedient trust, implicitly but not blindly, she follows her mother-in-law’s orders; strong in conscious innocence she risks the obloquy that may attend her duty. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ruth 3:1-18

The Message of the Book of Ruth Ruth 3:9 In speaking of the message which this little book has for us, we shall treat it as conveying to us a message of redemption. Looked at in this light the book has, I think, these things to tell us: I. It tells us that the range of God's grace is ever wider than our conception of it. The book of Ruth shows us how one who was a member of an idolatrous people, one who was a Gentile, an alien from the commonwealth of Israel, a stranger from the covenant of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:1-18

THE HAZARDOUS PLANRuth 3:1-18HOPE came to Naomi when Ruth returned with the ephah of barley and her story of the rich man’s hearty greeting. God was remembering His handmaiden; He had not shut up His tender mercies. Through His favour Boaz had been moved to kindness, and the house of Elimelech would yet be raised from the dust. The woman’s heart, clinging to its last hope, was encouraged. Naomi was loud in her praises of Jehovah and of the man who had with such pious readiness befriended Ruth.... read more

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