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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ruth 3:8 At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ruth/3-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/08_Rut_03_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ruth 3:8 - Ruth Claims Boaz as Kinsman" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ruth/3-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ruth/3-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ruth/">Ruth</a> > <a href="/ruth/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ruth/3-7.htm" title="Ruth 3:7">◄</a> Ruth 3:8 <a href="/ruth/3-9.htm" title="Ruth 3:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ruth/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ruth/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ruth/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ruth/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ruth/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ruth/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ruth/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ruth/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ruth/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ruth/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ruth/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ruth/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />In the middle of the night the man was startled and he turned over, and found a woman lying at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ruth/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ruth/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ruth/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ruth/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />In the middle of the night, Boaz suddenly woke up and was shocked to see a woman lying at his feet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ruth/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ruth/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />At midnight the man was shivering. When he turned over, he was surprised to see a woman lying at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ruth/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />During the night he woke up suddenly, turned over, and was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ruth/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />In the middle of the night, Boaz was startled awake and turned over in surprise to see a woman lying at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ruth/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In the middle of the night he was startled and turned over. Now he saw a woman lying beside him!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ruth/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It happened at midnight, that the man was startled and turned over; and look, a woman lay at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ruth/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and behold, a woman lay at his feet.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ruth/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ruth/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />At midnight, the man was startled and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ruth/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And it comes to pass, at the middle of the night, that the man trembles, and turns himself, and behold, a woman is lying at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ruth/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ruth/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will be in the middle of the night, and the man will be terrified: and he will turn and behold a woman lying from his feet.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ruth/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And behold, when it was now midnight the man was afraid, and troubled: and he saw a woman lying at his feet, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ruth/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And behold, when it was the middle of the night, the man became frightened and confused, and he saw a woman lying near his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ruth/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Midway through the night, the man gave a start and groped about, only to find a woman lying at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ruth/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />At midnight the man was startled, and turned over, and there, lying at his feet, was a woman!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ruth/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass at midnight that the man woke up and was startled when he saw a woman lying at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ruth/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And it happened in the middle of the night, the man started from his sleep and was alarmed, because he saw a woman who was sleeping at his feet<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ruth/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was startled, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ruth/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass at midnight that the man was amazed, and troubled, and behold, a woman lay at his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ruth/3-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LT1nlCXT1mU?start=566" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ruth/3.htm">Ruth Claims Boaz as Kinsman</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2677.htm" title="2677: ba·ḥă·ṣî (Prep-b, Art:: N-msc) -- Half. From chatsah; the half or middle.">At midnight,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: hal·lay·lāh (Art:: N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: hā·’îš (Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">Boaz</a> <a href="/hebrew/2729.htm" title="2729: way·ye·ḥĕ·raḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To tremble, be terrified. A primitive root; to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten.">was startled,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3943.htm" title="3943: way·yil·lā·p̄êṯ (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to bend, i.e. to clasp; also to turn around or aside.">turned over,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">and there</a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: šō·ḵe·ḇeṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">lying</a> <a href="/hebrew/4772.htm" title="4772: mar·gə·lō·ṯāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Place of the feet, feet. Denominative from regel; a footpiece, i.e. at the foot, or The foot itself.">at his feet</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">was a woman!</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/19-32.htm">Genesis 19:32-35</a></span><br />Come, let us get our father drunk with wine so we can sleep with him and preserve his line.” / So that night they got their father drunk with wine, and the firstborn went in and slept with her father; he was not aware when she lay down or when she got up. / The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Look, I slept with my father last night. Let us get him drunk with wine again tonight so you can go in and sleep with him and we can preserve our father’s line.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14-19</a></span><br />she removed her widow’s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife. / When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face. / Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.” “What will you give me for sleeping with you?” she inquired. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-10</a></span><br />When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-8.htm">Ezekiel 16:8</a></span><br />Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/3-3.htm">Hosea 3:3</a></span><br />Then I said to her, “You must live with me for many days; you must not be promiscuous or belong to another, and I will do the same for you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-39.htm">1 Samuel 25:39-42</a></span><br />On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. / When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.” / She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-11.htm">2 Samuel 12:11-12</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: ‘I will raise up adversity against you from your own house. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to another, and he will lie with them in broad daylight. / You have acted in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10-12</a></span><br />A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/songs/3-1.htm">Song of Solomon 3:1-4</a></span><br />On my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him. / I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him. / I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city: “Have you seen the one I love?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-5.htm">Isaiah 54:5</a></span><br />For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Matthew 1:5</a></span><br />Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Matthew 22:24-30</a></span><br />“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. / The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-27.htm">Luke 20:27-38</a></span><br />Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to question Him. / “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-16.htm">John 4:16-18</a></span><br />Jesus told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” / “I have no husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said to her, “You are correct to say that you have no husband. / In fact, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. You have spoken truthfully.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2-3</a></span><br />For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.</p><p class="hdg">turned.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/9-21.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/judges/16-20.htm">Awaking</a> <a href="/judges/16-30.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/judges/21-8.htm">Discovered</a> <a href="/judges/18-19.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/judges/16-29.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/judges/16-3.htm">Midnight</a> <a href="/ruth/3-2.htm">Night</a> <a href="/judges/16-20.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/judges/19-21.htm">Something</a> <a href="/luke/24-37.htm">Startled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-29.htm">Trembleth</a> <a href="/ruth/2-3.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/ruth/1-22.htm">Turneth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ruth/3-11.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-25.htm">Awaking</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-9.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-11.htm">Discovered</a> <a href="/ruth/3-14.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-29.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-20.htm">Midnight</a> <a href="/ruth/3-13.htm">Night</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-3.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-18.htm">Something</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-6.htm">Startled</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">Trembleth</a> <a href="/ruth/4-1.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-9.htm">Turneth</a><div class="vheading2">Ruth 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/3-1.htm">By Naomi's instruction</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/3-5.htm">Ruth lies at Boaz's feet</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/3-8.htm">Boaz acknowledges the right of a kinsman</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/3-14.htm">He sends her away with six measures of barley</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ruth/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ruth/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ruth/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>At midnight</b><br>In ancient times, the night was divided into watches, and midnight marked the middle of the night. This time is often associated with significant events in the Bible, such as the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt (<a href="/exodus/12-29.htm">Exodus 12:29</a>). The timing here underscores the unexpected nature of the encounter and the divine orchestration behind the events.<p><b>Boaz was startled</b><br>Boaz's reaction indicates surprise, suggesting that he was not expecting anyone to be at the threshing floor. The threshing floor was a place of work and not typically a place for visitors at night. His surprise also highlights the unusual nature of Ruth's actions, which were bold and culturally significant.<p><b>turned over</b><br>This phrase suggests a physical movement that indicates Boaz's alertness and readiness to address the situation. It reflects his character as a man of action and responsibility, traits that are consistent with his role as a kinsman-redeemer, a concept rooted in Levitical law (<a href="/leviticus/25-25.htm">Leviticus 25:25</a>).<p><b>and there lying at his feet</b><br>Ruth's position at Boaz's feet is symbolic of humility and submission. In the cultural context, this act was a non-verbal request for protection and redemption, aligning with the practice of a widow seeking a kinsman-redeemer. This act foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ, who is often seen as the ultimate Redeemer.<p><b>was a woman!</b><br>The presence of a woman at the threshing floor at night was highly unusual and could be misinterpreted. However, Ruth's intentions were pure, and her actions were guided by Naomi's instructions. This moment is pivotal in the narrative, as it sets the stage for Boaz's role as a redeemer, paralleling Christ's redemptive work for humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/ruth.htm">Ruth</a></b><br>A Moabite widow who has shown loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and has come to Bethlehem. Her actions in this chapter demonstrate her faith and courage.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/boaz.htm">Boaz</a></b><br>A wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem, a relative of Naomi's deceased husband. He is known for his kindness and adherence to the law.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/threshing_floor.htm">Threshing Floor</a></b><br>A place where grain is separated from chaff. It is significant as the setting for Ruth's bold approach to Boaz, symbolizing a place of provision and blessing.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/n/naomi.htm">Naomi</a></b><br>Ruth's mother-in-law, who guides Ruth in seeking Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer, reflecting her hope and strategic thinking.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/k/kinsman-redeemer.htm">Kinsman-Redeemer</a></b><br>A cultural and legal role in ancient Israel where a close relative could redeem a family member in distress, reflecting God's provision and care for His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_initiative.htm">Faith and Initiative</a></b><br>Ruth's actions demonstrate a balance of faith in God's provision and personal initiative. Believers are encouraged to trust God while actively participating in His plans.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision.htm">God's Provision</a></b><br>The account illustrates how God provides for His people through ordinary means and relationships. We should be attentive to how God might be working in our lives through others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_and_integrity.htm">Courage and Integrity</a></b><br>Ruth's approach to Boaz required courage and integrity. Christians are called to act with boldness and righteousness in their relationships and decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/redemption_and_hope.htm">Redemption and Hope</a></b><br>The role of the kinsman-redeemer points to the hope and redemption found in Christ. Believers can find assurance in Jesus' redemptive work on their behalf.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ruth_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ruth 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_proverbs_31_an_ideal,_not_a_standard.htm">Could Proverbs 31:10–31 be more of a cultural ideal rather than an achievable standard, considering other biblical teachings on human imperfection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ruth_fit_deut._23_3's_exclusion.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3 - How can the permanent exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites align with the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman in David's lineage?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_was_ruth_unnoticed_until_boaz_awoke.htm">In Ruth 3:7-8, how did Ruth's presence remain unnoticed until Boaz awoke, and what does this suggest about the setting or cultural practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ruth_3_9_relate_to_ancient_marriages.htm">Ruth 3:9 records a phrase about 'spreading a garment' over Ruth--how does this align with or contradict marriage traditions documented in other ancient Near Eastern sources?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ruth/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Was afraid.</span>--Was startled. See the use of the word in <a href="/genesis/27-33.htm" title="And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that has taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before you came, and have blessed him? yes, and he shall be blessed.">Genesis 27:33</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Turned.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">bent himself. </span>(Comp. <a href="/judges/16-29.htm" title="And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars on which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.">Judges 16:29</a>.) He wakes with a start, and in turning sees a woman at his feet.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ruth/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And it came to pass at midnight that the man started in a fright; and he bent himself over, and lo, a woman was lying at his feet.</span> He had awaked, and, feeling something soft and warm at his feet, he was startled and affrighted. What could it be? In a moment or two he recovered his self-possession, and bending himself up and over, or "crooking himself, to see and to feel, lo, a woman was lying at his feet. The Chaldee Targumist tumbles into a ludicrous bathos of taste when endeavoring to emphasize the startle and shiver which Boas experienced. He says, "He trembled, <span class="accented">and his flesh</span>, <span class="accented">became soft as a turnip</span> from the agitation. How could the most peddling and paltering of Rabbis succeed in betraying himself into such a laughable puerility and absurdity? The explanation, though of course it is not the least atom of justification, lies in the fact that the Chaldee word for "turnip" is <span class="hebrew">לֶפֶת</span> while the verb that de notes "he bent himself" is the niphal of <span class="hebrew">לָפַת</span>. The use of the expression "<span class="accented">the</span> man," in this and several of the adjoining verses, is apt to grate a little upon English ears. Let us explain and vindicate the term as we may, the grating is still felt. No matter though we know that "<span class="accented">the</span> rank is but the guinea stamp," the grating is felt inevitably. It is a result of that peculiar growth in living language that splits generic terms into such as are specific or semi-specific. We have <span class="accented">gentleman</span> as well as <span class="accented">man</span>, and embarrassment is not infrequently the result of our linguistic wealth. In the verse before us, and in some of those that go before, we should be disposed, in our English idiom, to employ the proper name: "<span class="accented">And</span> it came to pass at midnight that ' Boaz' started in a fright." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ruth/3-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">At midnight,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחֲצִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥă·ṣî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2677.htm">Strong's 2677: </a> </span><span class="str2">The half, middle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Boaz</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאִ֖ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was startled,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֶּחֱרַ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(way·ye·ḥĕ·raḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2729.htm">Strong's 2729: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shudder with terror, to fear, to hasten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">turned over,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּלָּפֵ֑ת</span> <span class="translit">(way·yil·lā·p̄êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3943.htm">Strong's 3943: </a> </span><span class="str2">To twist, turn, grasp with a twisting motion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and there</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִנֵּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lying</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁכֶ֖בֶת</span> <span class="translit">(šō·ḵe·ḇeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at his feet</span><br /><span class="heb">מַרְגְּלֹתָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(mar·gə·lō·ṯāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4772.htm">Strong's 4772: </a> </span><span class="str2">A footpiece, at the foot, the foot</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was a woman!</span><br /><span class="heb">אִשָּׁ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ruth/3-8.htm">Ruth 3:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ruth/3-8.htm">Ruth 3:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ruth/3-8.htm">Ruth 3:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ruth/3-8.htm">Ruth 3:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ruth/3-8.htm">Ruth 3:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ruth/3-8.htm">Ruth 3:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ruth/3-8.htm">Ruth 3:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ruth/3-8.htm">Ruth 3:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ruth/3-8.htm">Ruth 3:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ruth/3-8.htm">Ruth 3:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ruth/3-8.htm">OT History: Ruth 3:8 It happened at midnight that the man (Ru Rut.)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ruth/3-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ruth 3:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ruth 3:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ruth/3-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ruth 3:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ruth 3:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>