Boaz at the Threshing Floor

The words

1. Boaz

   Boaz promises to act for Ruth if the closer relative refuses; at the gate he announces the land purchase and marriage.

   Ruth 3:12–13 (opens a new tab) · Ruth 4:9–10 (opens a new tab)

2. Gate

   Boaz sits at the gate, calls the closer relative over and gathers ten city elders; the people and elders later witness the agreement.

   Did you know?

   Proverbs also portrays a husband known at the gates, seated among the elders of the land, another biblical picture of that public setting.

   Ruth 4:1–2 (opens a new tab) · Ruth 4:11 (opens a new tab) · Proverbs 31:23 (opens a new tab)

3. Heap of Corn

   A grain heap, in the NET Bible.

   After eating and drinking, Boaz lies down at the end of the heap of corn; Ruth comes quietly and uncovers his feet.

   Ruth 3:7 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Ruth 3:7 (opens a new tab)

4. Midnight

   At midnight, Boaz is startled and finds a woman at his feet; she identifies herself as Ruth and asks him to spread his skirt over her.

   Ruth 3:8–9 (opens a new tab)

5. Near Kinsman

   Boaz acknowledges a closer relative with the first claim; at the gate, this man refuses to redeem lest he damage his own inheritance.

   Did you know?

   The NET Bible uses “what’s-your-name” where the KJV has “such a one”; its note explains that the relative’s personal name is unrecorded.

   Ruth 3:12–13 (opens a new tab) · Ruth 4:1; Ruth 4:6 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Ruth 4:1 (opens a new tab)

6. Obed

   Ruth and Boaz have a son, whom the neighboring women name Obed; the closing genealogy identifies him as Jesse’s father and David’s grandfather.

   Did you know?

   Matthew’s genealogy also names Ruth, Obed and Jesse, continuing to David in the next verse.

   Ruth 4:13; Ruth 4:17; Ruth 4:21–22 (opens a new tab) · Matthew 1:5–6 (opens a new tab)

7. Rachel and Leah

   The witnesses ask the LORD to make Ruth like Rachel and Leah, whom they credit with building the house of Israel.

   Ruth 4:11 (opens a new tab)

8. Redeeming

   Boaz links the land’s redemption with taking Ruth as wife and preserving the name of Mahlon, her dead husband.

   Ruth 4:3–5 (opens a new tab) · Ruth 4:9–10 (opens a new tab)

9. Shoe

   A sandal, in the NET Bible.

   The closer relative removes his shoe after declining; the narrator describes shoe removal and transfer as confirmation of redemption and exchange.

   Ruth 4:7–8 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Ruth 4:7-8 (opens a new tab)

10. Six Measures

    Boaz gives Ruth six measures of barley for Naomi. The NET note says the Hebrew text does not specify the unit.

    Ruth 3:15–17 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Ruth 3:15-17 (opens a new tab)

11. Skirt

    The edge of a garment.

    Ruth asks Boaz to spread his skirt over her because he is a near kinsman; he acknowledges the claim and mentions a closer relative.

    Did you know?

    Where the KJV has “spread therefore thy skirt,” the NET Bible reads “Marry your servant,” explaining the gesture as a marriage proposal.

    Ruth 3:9; Ruth 3:12 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: skirt (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Ruth 3:9 (opens a new tab)

12. Threshing

    Beating grain out of its husks.

    Ruth goes to the threshing floor as Naomi directs; after Boaz lies beside the grain heap, she approaches and uncovers his feet.

    Ruth 3:2; Ruth 3:6–7 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: thresh (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: thrash (opens a new tab)

13. Uncover

    Following Naomi’s instructions, Ruth approaches quietly, uncovers Boaz’s feet and lies down; the narrator then describes his surprise at midnight.

    Ruth 3:4; Ruth 3:7–8 (opens a new tab) · Ruth 3:8–13 (opens a new tab)

14. Winnow

    Separating grain from chaff using moving air.

    Naomi tells Ruth that Boaz is winnowing barley at the threshing floor that night, setting the time and place for Ruth’s visit.

    Ruth 3:1–2 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: winnow (opens a new tab)

15. Witnesses

    The elders and people at the gate declare themselves witnesses to Boaz’s purchase and his taking Ruth as wife.

    Ruth 4:9–11 (opens a new tab)