Ruth 3 - Introduction
_BY NAOMI'S INSTRUCTION, RUTH PASSES THE NIGHT AT BOAZ'S FEET: BOAZ ACKNOWLEDGES THE RIGHT OF A KINSMAN: RUTH RELATES TO NAOMI ALL THAT HAD HAPPENED._ _Before Christ 1376._... [ Continue Reading ]
_BY NAOMI'S INSTRUCTION, RUTH PASSES THE NIGHT AT BOAZ'S FEET: BOAZ ACKNOWLEDGES THE RIGHT OF A KINSMAN: RUTH RELATES TO NAOMI ALL THAT HAD HAPPENED._ _Before Christ 1376._... [ Continue Reading ]
MY DAUGHTER, SHALL I NOT SEEK REST FOR THEE— This, according to the eastern mode of expression, is a strong affirmative. As Ruth had shewn so much piety and affection to her mother, Naomi thought it her duty to do all in her power to provide for her; and, as Providence had in so remarkable a manner... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, HE WINNOWETH BARLEY— It is plain from the 7th verse, that this was a season of feasting, and that a kind of feast was given upon a completion of the harvest. The Chaldee paraphrase upon the 7th verse is, _the heart of Boaz rejoiced, and he blessed God who had heard his prayer, and removed th... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT THY RAIMENT UPON THEE, &C.— Her _best clothes_ or _ornaments,_ as some of the versions express it. It is not easy to tell at this distance of time, and under this difference of manners, why Naomi advised Ruth to this secret method of proceeding. To some persons, it will seem that it would have b... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WENT TO LIE DOWN AT THE END OF THE HEAP OF CORN— It seems as if this were a temporary kind of rest, and that Boaz reposed here only a short time upon the present occasion; lying down in his clothes, and not going, as usual, to his house, and bed: and, possibly, Naomi, knowing this to be the custo... [ Continue Reading ]
SPREAD, THEREFORE, THY SKIRT OVER THINE HANDMAID— See chap. Ruth 2:12. In the Hebrew it is, _spread thy wing._ It is a proverbial manner of speaking, signifying in general, _take me under thy protection;_ and in particular, _take me under thy protection as a husband:_ the Chaldee, therefore, plainly... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAID, BLESSED BE THOU OF THE LORD— Nothing can be more honourable than the testimony which Boaz gives in this and the next verse to the character of Ruth; which, while it removes all suspicions from her reputation, at the same time proves that Boaz acted upon principle, and was a man of true disc... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWBEIT THERE IS A KINSMAN NEARER THAN I— He does not reject her petition; but, actuated by a strict regard to the law of Moses, informs her, that he could not properly take her to wife, as there was a person nearer to her than himself: till, therefore, that person could be consulted, it was their d... [ Continue Reading ]
BRING THE VAIL—AND HOLD IT— Respecting the _vail,_ see Exodus 12:34. The Chaldee paraphrase adds these words to the present verse: _"Strength was given her from the Lord to bear it; and immediately it was said in prophecy, that six righteous persons should proceed from her, each of whom should be bl... [ Continue Reading ]