The Meaning of Ruth 3:8 Explained

Ruth 3:8

KJV: And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

YLT: And it cometh to pass, at the middle of the night, that the man trembleth, and turneth himself, and lo, a woman is lying at his feet.

Darby: And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was startled, and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.

ASV: And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

Discover Ruth 3:8

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Ruth 3:8?

MEANING: What does Ruth 3:8 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Ruth 3:8 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Ruth 3:8?

What is the context of Ruth 3:8?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

What does Ruth 3:8 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 3:8 mean?

And it came to pass at midnight that was startled the man and turned himself and there a woman was lying at his feet

וַיְהִי֙ בַּחֲצִ֣י הַלַּ֔יְלָה וַיֶּחֱרַ֥ד הָאִ֖ישׁ וַיִּלָּפֵ֑ת וְהִנֵּ֣ה אִשָּׁ֔ה שֹׁכֶ֖בֶת מַרְגְּלֹתָֽיו

וַיְהִי֙	And it came to pass
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: אֶהְיֶה Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
בַּחֲצִ֣י	at
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular construct Root: חֲצִי Sense: half.
הַלַּ֔יְלָה	midnight
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular Root: לַיִל Sense: night.
וַיֶּחֱרַ֥ד	that was startled
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: חָרַד Sense: to tremble, quake, move about, be afraid, be startled, be terrified.
הָאִ֖ישׁ	the man
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular Root: אִישׁ Sense: man.
וַיִּלָּפֵ֑ת	and turned himself
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: לָפַת Sense: to twist, grasp, turn, grasp with a twisting motion.
וְהִנֵּ֣ה	and there
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Interjection Root: הִנֵּה Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
אִשָּׁ֔ה	a woman
Parse: Noun, feminine singular Root: אִשָּׁה Sense: woman, wife, female.
שֹׁכֶ֖בֶת	was lying
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, feminine singular Root: שָׁכַב Sense: to lie down.
מַרְגְּלֹתָֽיו	at his feet
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, third person masculine singular Root: מַרְגְּלֹות Sense: place of the feet, feet.

What are the major concepts related to Ruth 3:8?

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