Ruth 3:4-7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 3:1-5

Here is, I. Naomi's care for her daughter's comfort is without doubt very commendable, and is recorded for imitation. She had no thoughts of marrying herself, Ruth 1:12. But, though she that was old had resolved upon a perpetual widowhood, yet she was far from the thoughts of confining her daughter-in-law to it, that was young. Age must not make itself a standard to youth. On the contrary, she is full of contrivance how to get her well married. Her wisdom projected that for her daughter which... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 3:6-13

Here is, I. Boaz's good management of his common affairs. It is probable, according to the common usage, 1. When his servants winnowed, he was with them, and had his eye upon them, to prevent, not their stealing any of his corn (he had no reason to fear that), but their waste of it through carelessness in the winnowing of it. Masters may sustain great losses by servants that are heedless, though they be honest, which is a reason why men should be diligent to know the state of their own flocks,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:4

And it shall be, when he lieth down ,.... On the threshingfloor, under the open air, in order to sleep, and take rest: that thou shall mark the place where he shall lie ; the spot he shall lie on, and the direction in which he shall lie, whether east, west, &c.; that when the light shall be taken away, and the darkness of the night come on, she might pretty easily find the place where he lay: and thou shall go in and uncover his feet, and lay thee down ; go into the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:5

And she said unto her ,.... Having the highest opinion of her piety and prudence, and being confident she would never advise her to what was contrary to true religion and virtue: all that thou sayest unto me I will do ; observe every instruction and direction she gave her, and attend strictly to every circumstance pointed out to her, as she did; the word for "unto me" is one of those instances, the Masora observes, is not written but read; the letters of the word are not in the text,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:6

And she went down unto the floor ,.... From the city of Bethlehem, from her mother-in-law's house there, to the threshingfloor of Boaz, which was at some distance from it, and lower: and did according to all that her mother in law bade her ; both before she went, and after: she washed and anointed herself, and put on her best clothes before she went down, and when she was there took care not to make herself known to any, especially to Boaz, and marked the place where he lay down after he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:7

And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry ,.... Having ate and drank freely, though not to excess; and innocent mirth was always allowed in the time of harvest, and of the vintage, and of gathering the fruits of the earth, see Judges 9:27 or "his heart was good"; he was in a good frame and disposition of mind, praising God for his goodness to him, and to his people; so the Targum,"and his heart was good, and he blessed the name of the Lord who had received his prayer, and... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:1-18

Naomi's maternal solicitude. This is one of those paragraphs of Scripture which require delicate handling, but which, for that very reason, are full of suggestiveness that comes home to the bosom. Under strange, old-fashioned forms of things there was often much real virtue and true nobility of character. 1. It may be regarded as certain that while the harvest lasted Boaz and Ruth would be coming daily into contact with each other. 2. It may likewise be assumed as certain that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:2-4

Naomi's solicitude for her devoted daughter-in-law is beautiful and motherly. But the form into which it ran and took shape can never recur in the midst of the culture and customs of European society. Even the method of winnowing the golden grain of the harvest-field, as referred to in Ruth 3:2 , is antique and obsolete. So, too, is the method which Boaz adopted to watch over his cereal treasures. He constituted himself his own watchman and policeman. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 3:1-5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 3:6-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 3:7

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:2-4

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