Ruth 3:17
What does Ruth 3:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 3:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 3:17 means
Ruth adds that Boaz gave her six measures of barley, explaining, “Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.” The gift is intentionally for Naomi as well, acknowledging her place in the redemption story. It also hints at reversal: Naomi once lamented emptiness; now tangible fullness comes home. The grain serves as a down payment of goodwill and a visible assurance that Boaz will not neglect their cause. Provision today points to promised protection tomorrow. In this simple act, mercy meets law: the redeemer candidate shows both legal care for the family and compassionate attention to their immediate needs.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And she said, He gave me these six measures of grain, saying, Do not go back to your mother-in-law with nothing in your hands.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And she saith, `These six <FI>measures<Fi> of barley he hath given to me, for he said, Thou dost not go in empty unto thy mother-in-law.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And she said: Behold he hath given me six measures of barley: for he said: I will not have thee return empty to thy mother in law.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And she said, These six [measures] of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty to thy mother-in-law.
Context
The sign of Boaz’s intent is made explicit. Naomi can now read the gesture not as random generosity but as a deliberate pledge. The following and final verse will give Naomi’s seasoned counsel—wait in quiet trust—expressing confidence that Boaz’s character guarantees swift and proper resolution in the city that day.
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.
v.17This passage
v.18Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall; for the man will not rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
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