Ruth 3 (Listen)
Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor
3:1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” 5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 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. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings1 over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” 10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. 12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the LORD lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, 17 saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’” 18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”
Footnotes
[1] 3:9
(ESV)
Ruth 3 Commentary
In Ruth 3, Naomi seeks to secure provision for Ruth through marriage to Boaz. (Ruth 3:1-2). She instructs Ruth to wash, anoint herself, wear her best clothes, and approach Boaz at the threshing floor after he finishes eating and drinking. Ruth is to uncover his feet and lie down, requesting his protection and marriage under the kinsman-redeemer law (Ruth 3:3-5). Ruth obeys and Boaz wakes up at midnight to find her there.
Ruth identifies herself and asks, “Take me under your wing, for you are a family redeemer” (Ruth 3:6-9). Boaz praises her noble character and willingness to follow the proper custom rather than seek younger men. He promises to redeem her if the kinsman who is closer in relation declines (Ruth 3:10-13). Before Ruth departs at dawn, Boaz discreetly sends her away with six measures of barley, ensuring her provision and protecting her reputation (Ruth 3:14-15). When Ruth tells Naomi what happened, she expresses confidence that Boaz will promptly resolve the matter (Ruth 3:16-18).
Cultural Context
Ruth goes to Boaz’s threshing floor at Naomi’s instruction and it is difficult to understand in our modern context. Threshing floors were communal spaces where grain was separated from chaff during harvest time. It was common for the workers to sleep nearby in order to guard their crops. Ruth waits until Boaz has eaten and is sleeping, and then she uncovers his feet and lies down. This seems strange. Essentially, this act was a customary gesture of humility and a non-verbal request for protection under Boaz’s role as a kinsman-redeemer.
Kinsman-Redeemer
Boaz was not only a relative, but he was considered the “goel” (גֹּאֵל), or, kinsman-redeemer for the family. This role was prevalent in Israel’s family affairs. As kinsman-redeemer, Boaz had responsibilities which included:
- Redeeming property sold by a family member (Lev 25:25)
- Redeeming relatives sold into slavery (Lev 25:47–49)
- Avenging the blood of a murdered family member (Num 35:19)
- Marrying a widow of a deceased relative to preserve the family line (Deut 25:5–6)
Though it may seem bold that Ruth went so directly to Boaz, it was considered an appropriate custom for that time. She was appealing to Boaz to guard and protect the future. For Boaz, it would be a decision that affected the legacy of Elimelech and his family. Ruth had the right to claim Boaz, her kinsman, to redeem her husband’s land. However, there was another nearer kinsman (in relation), so Ruth had to make the move to claim Boaz, which is why Naomi instructed her to approach him.
The Mosaic law from Deuteronomy 25 mandated that a childless widow could claim marriage from her husband’s brother or closest relative to continue the family name. If he refused, the man faced public shame through a ceremony where the widow removed his shoe and was allowed to spit in his face! The purpose of this law was to provide family support and security to vulnerable widows like Ruth.
Though Ruth had a right to come and demand this from Boaz, Naomi counseled her to go in humility. Again, sitting at his feet symbolized submission. Ruth’s request is for Boaz to fulfill the responsibility to marry her and preserve her deceased husband’s lineage. Naomi’s guidance shows her understanding of cultural customs as she instructs Ruth go about the process in a godly manner.
Metaphors
Naomi gives Ruth four specific instructions, which symbolize the spiritual process for believers coming to Christ today.
Naomi tells Ruth to wash herself (Ruth 3:3): This symbolizes spiritual regeneration. This mirrors the need for believers to be baptized and “born again” (Tit 3:5) through the Holy Spirit.
Naomi instructs Ruth to anoint herself (Ruth 3:3): This represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit who teaches and reveals truth to believers (1 Jhn 2:20, 1 Cor 2:9-10).
Naomi tells Ruth to put on her best clothes (Ruth 3:3): This symbolizes how Christ clothes believers in His righteousness, making them complete in Him (Rom 3:22, Eph 1:6).
Naomi tells Ruth to go to the threshing floor (Ruth 3:4): Naomi instructed Ruth to approach Boaz after he finished eating and drinking, uncover his feet, and lie down, signifying a request for protection and redemption. We must also go to Jesus (Mat 11:28; Heb 4:16).
Of course, the analogy is not perfect. As believers, we cannot wash ourselves, anoint ourselves, or clothe ourselves. We need Christ to be able to do any of those things. We must come to the foot of the cross and bend the knee to Jesus, asking Him to be our Lord and Savior forever. In the same way, Ruth went to Boaz and knelt down by his feet in humility. She was dependent on him to make this union complete. She needed a rescuer, a kinsman-redeemer, to come into her life.
Ruth 3 is a good reminder for us that we need Jesus and we must approach Him with humility. We too are desperate for a Redeemer, and we can do nothing apart from Him.
