Ruth 3:11
What does Ruth 3:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 3:11 means
Boaz calms Ruth’s fears and promises to do all she has asked. He notes that “all the city of my people” knows she is a “worthy woman.” Ruth’s character is public knowledge: diligent, chaste, loyal, God-fearing. Her reputation removes suspicion from this night encounter and strengthens the justice of her request. Boaz’s words dignify Ruth, a foreigner, as fully embraced within Israel’s esteem. He pledges himself to action not merely out of pity but because righteousness and community testimony affirm that such a woman should indeed be protected and established in a home.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And now, my daughter, have no fear; I will do for you whatever you say: for it is clear to all my townspeople that you are a woman of virtue.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And now, my daughter, fear not, all that thou sayest I do to thee, for all the gate of my people doth know that thou <FI>art<Fi> a virtuous woman.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Fear not therefore, but whatsoever thou shalt say to me I will do to thee. For all the people that dwell within the gates of my city, know that thou art a virtuous woman.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And now, my daughter, fear not: all that thou sayest will I do to thee; for all the gate of my people knows that thou art a woman of worth.
Context
Assurance is given: Boaz will act. Yet the story will not shortcut the law. The next verse introduces a nearer kinsman whose prior right must be honored. Thus, the narrative moves from private promise to public process, preparing for the legal scene at the city gate in the next chapter.
v.10And 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.
v.11This passage
v.12And now it is true that I am a near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 31:10
A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
- Proverbs 12:4
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband; But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
- Proverbs 31:29
Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
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