Ruth 3:15
What does Ruth 3:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 3:15 means
Boaz asks Ruth to hold out her mantle and measures six measures of barley, laying it upon her. This generous load is both provision and pledge. It sends Ruth home strengthened and signals Boaz’s intent to care for her and Naomi. In a story marked by famine and fullness, this gift embodies hope: not mere words, but costly kindness. Boaz then heads into the city, indicating his readiness to take immediate steps at the gate where legal matters are settled. The provision of grain and his prompt movement into public space align his compassion with concrete, righteous action.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he said, Take your robe, stretching it out in your hands: and she did so, and he took six measures of grain and put them into it, and gave it her to take: and she went back to the town.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he saith, `Give the covering which <FI>is<Fi> on thee, and keep hold on it;' and she keepeth hold on it, and he measureth six <FI>measures<Fi> of barley, and layeth <FI>it<Fi> on her; and he goeth into the city.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And again he said: Spread thy mantle, wherewith thou art covered, and hold it with both hands. And when she spread it and held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it upon her. And she carried it, and went into the city,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said, Bring the cloak that thou hast 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.
Context
With reputations safeguarded, Boaz gives a substantial gift as a sign of his commitment and turns toward the city to act. The next verses shift back to Naomi’s house, where Ruth will report all that transpired. Naomi’s interpretation of the gift and her counsel will underscore confidence that Boaz will swiftly resolve the matter that very day.
v.14And 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.
v.15This passage
v.16And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 32:8
But the noble deviseth noble things; and in noble things shall he continue.
- Galatians 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.
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.