Ruth 3:1
What does Ruth 3:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 3:1 means
Naomi voices a motherly concern for Ruth’s long-term security. By “rest,” she means a settled life and protection, which in their world normally came through marriage and a stable household. Naomi’s question is not idle; it reveals loving initiative. Having seen God’s providence bring Ruth into Boaz’s fields, she now seeks a fitting, lawful solution to their precarious situation as widows. This verse shows Naomi is neither resigned to poverty nor careless with Ruth’s future. She desires it to “be well” with Ruth—materially, socially, and spiritually—so she begins to act wisely within Israel’s customs to secure Ruth a place of safety and dignity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, My daughter, am I not to get you a resting-place where you may be in comfort?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Naomi her mother-in-law saith to her, `My daughter, do not I seek for thee rest, that it may be well with thee?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752After she was returned to her mother in law, Noemi said to her: My daughter, I will seek rest for thee, and will provide that it may be well with thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
Context
After a season of gleaning under Boaz’s kindness (chapter 2), Naomi turns from day-to-day survival to long-term provision. This opening statement frames the chapter’s purpose: a plan to find Ruth a home. The rest of the chapter details how Naomi’s concern becomes a concrete strategy involving Boaz. What follows moves from Naomi’s counsel to Ruth’s obedient action, then to Boaz’s honorable response, setting up the legal resolution that will come in the next chapter.
v.1This passage
v.2And now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 7:36
But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin daughter, if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry.
- 1 Timothy 5:14
I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:
- Psalms 128:2
For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands: Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
- 1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
- Deuteronomy 4:40
And thou shalt keep his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days in the land, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, for ever.
- Jeremiah 22:15
Shalt thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? Did not thy father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? then it was well with him.
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