The Meaning of Ruth 3:4 Explained

Ruth 3:4

KJV: And 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.

YLT: and it cometh to pass when he lieth down, that thou hast known the place where he lieth down, and hast gone in, and uncovered his feet, and lain down, -- and he doth declare to thee that which thou dost do.'

Darby: And it shall be, when he lies down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall have lain down, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thyself down; and he will shew thee what thou shalt do.

ASV: And 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And 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. 

What does Ruth 3:4 Mean?

Context Summary

Ruth 3:1-18 - The Part Of A Kinsman
According to the old Hebrew law, Ruth was already married to Boaz, on the supposition that he was next of kin. Naomi apparently had no knowledge of a nearer kinsman than he. Compare Ruth 2:20, R.V., 3:12; Deuteronomy 25:5-10. There was therefore no immodesty in Naomi's proposals, though they are foreign to our modern practice. But clearly Boaz acted with admirable self-restraint. His earnest concern was for the good name of the young girl who had thrown herself on his protection, Ruth 2:11; Ruth 2:14. Next to God's grace, the one thought which helps us in the hour of testing is to put the interests of another before our own. Love to our neighbor is ultimately love to ourselves.
What confidence these two helpless women reposed in Boaz! The words with which Naomi closed their conversation suggest a character of absolute reliableness. His word was his bond. He was prompt, decisive and instant in carrying out any measure to which he felt himself pledged. Dilatoriness will wear out the heart of those who trust us. Let us finish promptly what we undertake! "Diligent in business, fervent in spirit!" Remember that when you trust Christ with anything, He also will not rest till He has finished it. [source]

Chapter Summary: Ruth 3

1  By Naomi's instruction
5  Ruth lies at Boaz's feet
8  Boaz acknowledges the right of a kinsman
14  He sends her away with six measures of barley

What do the individual words in Ruth 3:4 mean?

Then it shall be when he lies down that you shall notice - the place where he lies there and you shall go in and uncover his feet and lie down and he will tell you - what you should do
וִיהִ֣י בְשָׁכְב֗וֹ וְיָדַ֙עַתְּ֙ אֶת־ הַמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִשְׁכַּב־ שָׁ֔ם וּבָ֛את וְגִלִּ֥ית מַרְגְּלֹתָ֖יו [ושכבתי] (וְשָׁכָ֑בְתְּ) וְהוּא֙ יַגִּ֣יד לָ֔ךְ אֵ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעַשִֽׂין‪‬‪‬

וִיהִ֣י  Then  it  shall  be 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
בְשָׁכְב֗וֹ  when  he  lies  down 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁכַב  
Sense: to lie down.
וְיָדַ֙עַתְּ֙  that  you  shall  notice 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person feminine singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַמָּקוֹם֙  the  place 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָקֹום  
Sense: standing place, place.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר  where 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
יִשְׁכַּב־  he  lies 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁכַב  
Sense: to lie down.
וּבָ֛את  and  you  shall  go  in 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person feminine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
וְגִלִּ֥ית  and  uncover 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Conjunctive perfect, second person feminine singular
Root: גָּלָה  
Sense: to uncover, remove.
מַרְגְּלֹתָ֖יו  his  feet 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מַרְגְּלֹות  
Sense: place of the feet, feet.
(וְשָׁכָ֑בְתְּ)  lie  down 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person feminine singular
Root: שָׁכַב  
Sense: to lie down.
וְהוּא֙  and  he 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, third person masculine singular
Root: הוּא 
Sense: he, she, it.
יַגִּ֣יד  will  tell 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָגַד  
Sense: to be conspicuous, tell, make known.
אֵ֖ת  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
תַּעַשִֽׂין‪‬‪‬  you  should  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person feminine singular, Paragogic nun
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.

What are the major concepts related to Ruth 3:4?

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