Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! New Living Translation Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! English Standard Version At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! Berean Standard Bible At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman! King James Bible And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. New King James Version Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. New American Standard Bible 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. NASB 1995 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. NASB 1977 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. Legacy Standard Bible 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. Amplified Bible In the middle of the night the man was startled and he turned over, and found a woman lying at his feet. Christian Standard Bible At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman! Holman Christian Standard Bible At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman! American Standard Version And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. Contemporary English Version In the middle of the night, Boaz suddenly woke up and was shocked to see a woman lying at his feet. English Revised Version And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. GOD'S WORD® Translation At midnight the man was shivering. When he turned over, he was surprised to see a woman lying at his feet. Good News Translation During the night he woke up suddenly, turned over, and was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet. International Standard Version In the middle of the night, Boaz was startled awake and turned over in surprise to see a woman lying at his feet. Majority Standard Bible At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman! NET Bible In the middle of the night he was startled and turned over. Now he saw a woman lying beside him! New Heart English Bible It happened at midnight, that the man was startled and turned over; and look, a woman lay at his feet. Webster's Bible Translation And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and behold, a woman lay at his feet. World English Bible At midnight, the man was startled and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd 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. Young's Literal Translation 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. Smith's Literal Translation 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. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd behold, when it was now midnight the man was afraid, and troubled: and he saw a woman lying at his feet, Catholic Public Domain Version 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. New American Bible Midway through the night, the man gave a start and groped about, only to find a woman lying at his feet. New Revised Standard Version At midnight the man was startled, and turned over, and there, lying at his feet, was a woman! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd it came to pass at midnight that the man woke up and was startled when he saw a woman lying at his feet. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated 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 OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was startled, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. Brenton Septuagint Translation And it came to pass at midnight that the man was amazed, and troubled, and behold, a woman lay at his feet. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ruth Claims Boaz as Kinsman8 At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman! 9“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.”… Cross References Genesis 19:32-35 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.” ... Genesis 38:14-19 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. ... Deuteronomy 25:5-10 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.” ... Ezekiel 16:8 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. Hosea 3:3 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.” 1 Samuel 25:39-42 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.” ... 2 Samuel 12:11-12 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.’” Proverbs 31:10-12 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. Song of Solomon 3:1-4 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?” ... Isaiah 54:5 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. Matthew 1:5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, Matthew 22:24-30 “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. ... Luke 20:27-38 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. ... John 4:16-18 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.” Romans 7:2-3 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. Treasury of Scripture And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. turned. Jump to Previous Afraid Awaking Bent Discovered Lay Middle Midnight Night Sleep Something Startled Trembleth Turned TurnethJump to Next Afraid Awaking Bent Discovered Lay Middle Midnight Night Sleep Something Startled Trembleth Turned TurnethRuth 3 1. By Naomi's instruction5. Ruth lies at Boaz's feet 8. Boaz acknowledges the right of a kinsman 14. He sends her away with six measures of barley At midnight 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 (Exodus 12:29). The timing here underscores the unexpected nature of the encounter and the divine orchestration behind the events. Boaz was startled turned over and there lying at his feet was a woman! Persons / Places / Events 1. RuthA 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. 2. Boaz 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. 3. Threshing Floor 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. 4. Naomi Ruth's mother-in-law, who guides Ruth in seeking Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer, reflecting her hope and strategic thinking. 5. Kinsman-Redeemer 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. Teaching Points Faith and InitiativeRuth'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. God's Provision 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. Courage and Integrity Ruth's approach to Boaz required courage and integrity. Christians are called to act with boldness and righteousness in their relationships and decisions. Redemption and Hope 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.(8) Was afraid.--Was startled. See the use of the word in Genesis 27:33. Turned.--Literally, bent himself. (Comp. Judges 16:29.) He wakes with a start, and in turning sees a woman at his feet. Verse 8. - 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. 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, and his flesh, became soft as a turnip 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 לֶפֶת while the verb that de notes "he bent himself" is the niphal of לָפַת. The use of the expression "the 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 "the 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 gentleman as well as man, 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: "And it came to pass at midnight that ' Boaz' started in a fright."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew At midnight,בַּחֲצִ֣י (ba·ḥă·ṣî) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2677: The half, middle Boaz הָאִ֖ישׁ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person was startled, וַיֶּחֱרַ֥ד (way·ye·ḥĕ·raḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2729: To shudder with terror, to fear, to hasten turned over, וַיִּלָּפֵ֑ת (way·yil·lā·p̄êṯ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3943: To twist, turn, grasp with a twisting motion and there וְהִנֵּ֣ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! lying שֹׁכֶ֖בֶת (šō·ḵe·ḇeṯ) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular Strong's 7901: To lie down at his feet מַרְגְּלֹתָֽיו׃ (mar·gə·lō·ṯāw) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4772: A footpiece, at the foot, the foot was a woman! אִשָּׁ֔ה (’iš·šāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female Links Ruth 3:8 NIVRuth 3:8 NLT Ruth 3:8 ESV Ruth 3:8 NASB Ruth 3:8 KJV Ruth 3:8 BibleApps.com Ruth 3:8 Biblia Paralela Ruth 3:8 Chinese Bible Ruth 3:8 French Bible Ruth 3:8 Catholic Bible OT History: Ruth 3:8 It happened at midnight that the man (Ru Rut.) |
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