Ruth 3:14
What does Ruth 3:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 3:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 3:14 means
Ruth remains at Boaz’s feet until dawn, then leaves before recognition is possible. Boaz instructs that her visit not be known, guarding her name from rumor. Their conduct protects modesty and ensures that any talk of redemption will arise from lawful proceedings, not from gossip. The combination of compassion and prudence stands out: tenderness without compromise, secrecy without deceit, designed to preserve honor while the legal process is pursued. Both Ruth and Boaz demonstrate that righteousness involves not only right ends but also right means, especially in matters touching reputation and marriage.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And she took her rest at his feet till the morning: and she got up before it was light enough for one to see another. And he said, Let it not come to anyone's knowledge that the woman came to the grain-floor.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And she lieth down at his feet till the morning, and riseth before one doth discern another; and he saith, `Let it not be known that the woman hath come into the floor.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752So she slept at his feet till the night was going off. And she arose before men could know one another, and Booz said: Beware lest any man know that thou camest hither.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And she lay at his feet until the morning; and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the threshing-floor.
Context
After Boaz’s oath, the night concludes with careful discretion. The verse bridges the private promise and the forthcoming public action. The next step is a tangible sign of Boaz’s goodwill, given before Ruth returns to Naomi. The following verse will show Boaz supplying grain, a pledge of provision while they wait for the formal outcome.
v.13Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as Jehovah liveth: lie down until the morning.
v.14This passage
v.15And he said, Bring the mantle that is upon thee, and hold it; and she held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and he went into the city.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 14:16
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
- 1 Corinthians 10:32
Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:
- 2 Corinthians 8:21
for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
- Ecclesiastes 7:1
Agoodname is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one’s birth.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22
abstain from every form of evil.
- Romans 12:17
Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Ruth 3
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ruth 3.