Ruth 3:1-15 ESV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:3

Wash thyself , therefore - She made Ruth put on her best dress, that Boaz might, in the course of the day, be the more attracted by her person, and be the better disposed to receive her as Naomi wished. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:4

Uncover his feet , and lay thee down - It is said that women in the East, when going to the bed of their lawful husbands, through modesty, and in token of subjection, go to the bed's foot, and gently raising the clothes, creep under them up to their place. See Calmet. On the whole, we must say, had not Boaz been a person of extraordinary piety, prudence, and continence, this experiment might have been fatal to Ruth. We cannot easily account for this transaction, probably Naomi... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:7

When Boaz had eaten and drunk - The Targum adds, "He blessed the name of the Lord, who had heard his prayer, and removed famine from the land of Israel." Went to lie down - As the threshing-floors of the Eastern nations are in general in the open air, it is very likely that the owner or some confidential person continued in the fields till the grain was secured, having a tent in the place where the corn was threshed and winnowed. Boaz seems to have acted thus. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:8

The man was afraid , and turned himself - The verb ילפת yillapheth , which we render he turned himself, has puzzled even the Targumist, who translates the clause thus: "The man trembled, and his flesh became like a (boiled) turnip through fear." It is fully evident Boaz had no intimation of the present proceedings. To this verse the Targumist adds much; he says, "Boaz subdued his concupiscence, and acted towards her as Joseph did to the Egyptian wife of his master, and as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:9

Spread therefore thy skirt over thine hand maid - Hebrew, Spread thy wing. The wing is the emblem of protection, and is a metaphor taken from the young of fowls, which run under the wings of their mothers, that they may be saved from birds of prey. The meaning here is, Take me to thee for wife; and so the Targum has translated it, Let thy name be called on thy handmaid to take me for wife, because thou art the redeemer; i.e., thou art the גאל goel , the kinsman, to whom the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:10

In the latter end than at the beginning - It is not easy to find out what Boaz means. Perhaps חסד chesed , which we translate kindness, means piety; as if he had said: Thou hast given great proof of thy piety in this latter instance, when thou hast avoided the young, and those of thy own age, to associate thyself with an elderly man, merely for the purpose of having the Divine injunction fulfilled, viz., that the brother, or next akin, might take the wife of the deceased,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:12

There is a kinsman nearer than I - It is very likely that Naomi was not acquainted with this circumstance. Some have supposed that there was a brother of Elimelech remaining, who was nearer than Boaz, who is supposed to have been only a nephew; the former, therefore, must have a prior right. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:13

As the Lord liveth - Thus he bound himself by an oath to take her to wife if the other should refuse. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:15

Bring the veil - פחת המט hammit pachath ; this seems to have been a cloak, plaid, or what the Arabs call hayk , which has been largely explained elsewhere. See Judges 14:12 . Six measures of barley - We supply the word measures, for the Hebrew mentions no quantity. The Targum renders six seahs, סאין שית shith sein , which, as a seah was about two gallons and a half, must have been a very heavy load for a woman; and so the Targumist thought, for he adds, And she... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:1

EXPOSITION And Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, My daughter, shall not I seek out for thee a rest, that it may be well with thee? When Ruth had nothing more to do on the harvest-fields, where Boaz appeared daily, and was unremittingly gracious to her, she may have fallen into a pensive mood. Naomi was quick to note the varying ' nuances ' of feeling, and said " My daughter, shall I not seek out for thee a rest?" The expression rest , or resting-place , though in... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:1

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