BEHOLD, HE WINNOWETH BARLEY ... - The simple manners of Boaz and his times are here before us. This “mighty man of wealth” assists personally in the winnowing of his barley, which lies in a great heap on the floor Ruth 3:15, and sleeps in the open threshing-floor to protect his grain from depredatio... [ Continue Reading ]
UNCOVER HIS FEET - Rather, “the place of his feet;” the foot of his bed, as we should say. So also Ruth 3:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
TURNED HIMSELF - Rather, “bent forward,” so as to feel what it was which was at his feet. The same word is translated “took hold of,” in Judges 16:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
SPREAD THY SKIRT ... - The phrase indicates receiving and acknowledging her as a wife.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST SHEWED MORE KINDNESS ... - Literally, “Thou hast made thy last kindness better than the first.” Her last kindness was her willingness to accept Boaz for her husband, advanced in years as he was.... [ Continue Reading ]
By “kinsman,” understand the גאל _gā'al_ (Ruth 2:20 note).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VAIL - Quite a different word from that rendered “vail,” in Genesis 38:14. It seems rather to mean a kind of loose cloak, worn over the ordinary dress (see the margin). SIX MEASURES - i. e. six seahs, in all two ephahs, twice as much as she gleaned Ruth 3:17, and a heavy load to carry; for whic... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO ART THOU, MY DAUGHTER? - In the dim twilight Ruth 3:14 her mother was not sure at first who the young woman was, who sought admittance into the house.... [ Continue Reading ]