What does Ruth 3:9 mean?
"And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman." - Ruth 3:9
The verse Ruth 3:9 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman."
The book of Ruth is a short narrative in the Hebrew Bible, often seen as a story of loyalty, commitment, and God's providence. Ruth was a Moabite woman who married into a Hebrew family and, after being widowed, chose to stay with her mother-in-law Naomi and follow her back to Bethlehem. There, through a series of events, she met and eventually married Boaz, a wealthy landowner and relative of her late husband.
In this particular verse, Ruth has gone to Boaz in the middle of the night as Naomi instructed her to. When Boaz awakens and discovers her at his feet, he is surprised and asks, "Who art thou?" Here, Ruth uses a culturally significant gesture to request Boaz to fulfill his duty as a kinsman and marry her. The gesture of spreading one's skirt over someone is symbolically taken as a request for protection, provision, and marriage.
One of the main themes in this verse is the theme of redemption. In the Hebrew culture, a close relative had the responsibility to redeem and restore the honor and rights of a family member who had fallen into poverty or trouble. Boaz was a near kinsman or redeemer of Ruth's late husband, and as such, he had the right to marry her and provide for her and Naomi. The act of spreading his skirt over her was a symbolic act of redeeming and protecting her.
Another theme present in this verse is the theme of loyalty and commitment. Ruth's actions in going to Boaz and making her request show her deep loyalty to Naomi and her commitment to doing what is necessary to ensure their well-being. Boaz, in turn, shows his commitment to his role as a kinsman-redeemer by listening to Ruth and taking her request seriously.
The context of this verse is important in understanding its significance. Ruth and Naomi are both widowed and are in a vulnerable position. In ancient Israelite society, widows were often left without protection and in a state of poverty, making them particularly vulnerable. Ruth's request to Boaz is a plea for security and stability, both for herself and her mother-in-law.
This verse can also be seen as a symbol of God's providence and care for His people. The story of Ruth as a whole is often seen as a story of how God works behind the scenes, orchestrating events for the good of His people. In this verse, Ruth's bold act and Boaz's response can be seen as part of God's plan to provide for Ruth and Naomi, even in their vulnerable state.
In conclusion, Ruth 3:9 is a verse rich in symbolism and significance. It captures themes of redemption, loyalty, and God's providence. Ruth's bold request and Boaz's response are pivotal moments in the story, and they echo themes that run throughout the biblical narrative. This verse serves as a reminder of God's care for the vulnerable and his ability to bring about redemption and restoration in unexpected ways.
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Ruth 3:9 - "And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman."
"And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman." - Ruth 3:9
Ruth 2:3 – "So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters."
Ruth 1:3 - "And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons."
Ruth 3:1 - "Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?"
Ruth 3:5 - "And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do."
Ruth 3:8 - "¶ And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet."
Ruth 3:12 - "And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I."
Ruth 3:6 - "¶ And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her."
Ruth 3:2 - "And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor."
Ruth 1:9 - "The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept."
Ruth 3:17 - "And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law."
Ruth 4:3 - "And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:"
Ruth 4:9 - "¶ And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi."
Ruth 3:3 - "Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking."
Ruth 2:3 - "And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech."
"And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I." - Ruth 3:12
"Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day." - Ruth 3:18
"And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her." - Ruth 3:16
Ruth 3:11 - "And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman."
Ruth 3:18 - "Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day."
"And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons." - Ruth 1:3
Ruth 3:14 - "¶ And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor."
Ruth 3:16 - "And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her."
Ruth 3:15 - "Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city."
"¶ And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet." - Ruth 3:8
Ruth 3:10 - "And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich."
Ruth 3:7 - "And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down."
"And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do." - Ruth 3:5
"And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman." - Ruth 3:11