Ruth 3:3
What does Ruth 3:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 3:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 3:3 means
Naomi instructs Ruth to wash, anoint, and dress—signs of respectful preparation rather than seduction. Ruth is to go to the threshing floor discreetly and wait until Boaz has finished eating and drinking, when his work is done and his mind is at rest. These directions aim at modesty and prudence: approach as a petitioner, not as a gleaner; seek a private audience without public misunderstanding. Naomi’s counsel reflects an understanding of social customs and of Boaz’s character, seeking the right moment to make a serious, lawful appeal for family redemption and the securing of Ruth’s future.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wash 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wash 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So take a bath, and, after rubbing your body with sweet oil, put on your best robe, and go down to the grain-floor; but do not let him see you till he has come to the end of his meal.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and thou hast bathed, and anointed thyself, and put thy garments upon thee, and gone down to the threshing-floor; let not thyself be known to the man till he complete to eat and to drink;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wash thyself therefore and anoint thee, and put on thy best garments, and go down to the barnfloor: but let not the man see thee, till he shall have done eating and drinking.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thyself, and put thy raiment upon thee, and go down to the floor; make not thyself known to the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
Context
With Boaz identified, Naomi outlines the manner of approach. Personal preparation and timing are emphasized to preserve honor all around. The plan anticipates a solemn request, not a hasty impulse. Next, Naomi gives the most delicate step—what Ruth should do once Boaz lies down—so that Ruth’s actions would be understood as a plea for protection under kinship law, not as impropriety. The flow keeps building toward Ruth’s bold yet careful petition.
v.2And now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor.
v.3This passage
v.4And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 6:17
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;
- Psalms 104:15
And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, Andoil to make his face to shine, And bread that strengtheneth man’s heart.
- Ecclesiastes 9:8
Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil.
- 1 Timothy 2:9
In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment;
- Esther 5:1
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house.
- 2 Samuel 14:2
And Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel, I pray thee, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that hath a long time mourned for the dead:
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