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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:7

The joy of harvest. There is brightness and pleasantness in the view this passage gives us of a harvest-time in the vale of Bethlehem. Poets and painters have interpreted the heart of humanity in the pictures and the songs in which they have represented "the joy of harvest." Boaz, the mighty man of wealth, was not only rich and prosperous—he was happy, and free from the moroseness which sometimes accompanies riches; he was generous, and free from the miserliness and penuriousness which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:8

And it came to pass at midnight that the man started in a fright; and he bent himself over, and lo, a woman was lying at his feet. He had awaked, and, feeling something soft and warm at his feet, he was startled and affrighted. What could it be? In a moment or two he recovered his self-possession, and bending himself up and over, or "crooking himself, to see and to feel, lo, a woman was lying at his feet. The Chaldee Targumist tumbles into a ludicrous bathos of taste when endeavoring to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:8

When it is said that "the man was afraid, and turned himself ," the meaning of the latter clause, as it stands in King James's version, would require some modification. The idea is not that Boaz turned from one side to another . It is that, having started in a fright, in consequence of the presence, to his indistinct consciousness, of something unusual about his feet, he raised himself up and bent forward to feel what it was. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:9

And he said, Who art thou? And she said, I am Ruth, thy handmaid; and thou hast spread thy wings over thy handmaid, for thou art kinsman. The Syriac translator spoils the question of Boaz by metamorphosing it from " Who art thou?" into " What is thy message?" Tremulous would be the voice of Ruth as she replied, "I am Ruth, thy handmaid." What she said in continuance has been very generally, and by Driver, among others, misapprehended. Not by Raabe, however. It has been regarded as a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:9

His touch had satisfied him that it was a woman who was at his feet. Who was she? Ruth at once declared herself, no doubt in accents of sweet modesty. The statement with which she follows up the declaration of herself is variously interpreted. In King James's version there are two departures from literality. 1. The word skirt is not a literal rendering of the Hebrew term. Wings is the proper translation. 2. The entreaty Spread therefore is also a departure from literality. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 3:8

Turned himself - Rather, “bent forward,” so as to feel what it was which was at his feet. The same word is translated “took hold of,” in Judges 16:29. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 3:9

Spread thy skirt ... - The phrase indicates receiving and acknowledging her as a wife. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 3:7

Ruth 3:7. And his heart was merry Hebrew, יישׂב לבו , iitab, libbo, his heart was good, that is, cheerful and thankful for the plenty which the Lord had sent. He went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn In his clothes, doubtless; not going as usual to his house and bed, but reposing himself here, for the sake of taking a little temporary rest, probably on the straw in the floor where his corn had been winnowed, to secure it from thieves till it could be laid up in his garner. For... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 3:8-9

Ruth 3:8-9. At midnight He did not discover her sooner; the man was afraid Feeling something unusual at his feet. Behold a woman lay at his feet He perceived by her clothes, and, when she spake, by her voice, that it was a woman. Spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid A kind of proverbial expression, signifying, Take me to be thy wife, and perform the duty of a husband to me. From this answer of Ruth, and from what Boaz says in the two following verses, it is plain that she had... read more

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

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