Ruth 3:2
What does Ruth 3:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 3:2 means
Naomi identifies Boaz as “our kinsman,” connecting the kindness Ruth experienced in his fields to a deeper family obligation. Noting Boaz will winnow barley “to-night,” she recognizes a practical opportunity: Boaz will be at the threshing floor after the day’s work, away from crowds. This is not scheming in a reckless way; it is reading providence and timing with wisdom. The mention of Ruth working with Boaz’s maidens confirms the prior relationship and mutual respect already established, providing a natural bridge to a more direct conversation about kinship responsibilities.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And now, is there not Boaz, our relation, with whose young women you were? See, tonight he is separating the grain from the waste in his grain-floor.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and now, is not Boaz of our acquaintance, with whose young women thou hast been? lo, he is winnowing the threshing-floor of barley to-night,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752This Booz, with whose maids thou wast joined in the field, is our near kinsman, and behold this night he winnoweth barley in the threshingfloor.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And now, is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he is winnowing barley in the threshing-floor to-night.
Context
Naomi moves from general desire to specific plan. Verse 1 expressed her aim; verse 2 names the likely redeemer and the time and place to approach him. The threshing floor setting—public in purpose yet quiet at night—makes a private, respectful appeal possible. The next verses give Ruth careful instructions so that the approach honors both Boaz’s dignity and the gravity of the request she will make regarding kinship and redemption.
v.1And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
v.2This passage
v.3Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the threshing-floor, but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ruth 2:8
Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither pass from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.
- Deuteronomy 25:5
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother unto her.
- 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.
- Hebrews 2:11
For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
- Ruth 2:1
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.
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