Ruth 3:10
What does Ruth 3:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 3:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 3:10 means
Boaz blesses Ruth in Jehovah’s name and praises her “kindness” now as even greater than at the beginning. Earlier, she showed loyal love to Naomi by leaving Moab and laboring to provide. Now she shows it by seeking a kinsman-redeemer rather than chasing “young men” for personal advantage, whether poor or rich. Boaz sees that Ruth’s request arises from covenant loyalty to Naomi’s family line and to Israel’s God. He honors her motives and dignity. His response reveals that true worth is measured not by youth or wealth but by faithful love that seeks the good of others within God’s appointed ways.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he said, Blessed be thou of Jehovah, my daughter: thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he said, Blessed be thou of Jehovah, my daughter: thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he said, May the Lord give you his blessing, my daughter: even better than what you did at the first is this last kind act you have done, in not going after young men, with or without wealth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he saith, `Blessed <FI>art<Fi> thou of Jehovah, my daughter; thou hast dealt more kindly at the latter end than at the beginning--not to go after the young men, either poor or rich.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he said: Blessed art thou of the Lord, my daughter, and thy latter kindness has surpassed the former: because thou hast not followed young men either poor or rich.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said, Blessed be thou of Jehovah, my daughter! Thou hast shewn more kindness at the end than at the first, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
Context
Ruth’s request receives warm approval. Boaz interprets her act as honorable devotion to family and covenant. The tension eases; favor is given. Next, Boaz promises to do all she asks, grounding his pledge in Ruth’s well-known reputation. But he will also mention a legal complication—a nearer kinsman—ensuring that redemption proceeds properly.
v.9And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thy handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
v.10This passage
v.11And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou sayest; for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a worthy woman.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4
Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
- Ruth 2:4
And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, Jehovah be with you. And they answered him, Jehovah bless thee.
- Ruth 1:8
And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you to her mother’s house: Jehovah deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
- Ruth 2:20
And Naomi said unto her daughter-in-law, Blessed be he of Jehovah, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is nigh of kin unto us, one of our near kinsmen.
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