Ruth 3

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:18

Until thou know how the matter will fall - That is, whether he who is nearer of kin than Boaz will take thee to wife; do not return again till this thing is determined. Boaz lost no time to bring this to an issue, as we shall see in the following chapter, Ruth 4 (note). 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:1

There is something radically wrong in every home which is not a "rest" to its inmates; and life without a home is emphatically a life of unrest. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:1

Marriage, a woman's rest. If Ruth was unselfish, so also was Naomi. The mother-in-law acted towards the young Moabitess as if she had been her own daughter. In seeking a husband for her daughter-in-law Naomi followed the customs of her country and her age. (Our English custom is intermediate between the French custom, according to which the husband is provided by the negotiations of the parents, and the American custom, which leaves daughters to select for themselves.) The case before us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:1

Thoughtful love. "Shall not I seek rest for thee?" How natural. We cannot ever be with those we love. Marriage is God's own ideal, and it is the happiest estate if his fear dwells in our hearts. I. THERE IS NO EARTHLY REST LIKE THE REST OF HOME . Judges, warriors, statesmen enjoy the honors of life, and are conscious of pleasure in promotion and distinction, but their biographies tell us how they turn to home as the highest joy of all. Yes! Nothing can compensate... read more

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