Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Ruth Chapter 3
Overview
Rut 3:1, By Naomi's instruction; Rut 3:5, Ruth lies at Boaz's feet; Rut 3:8, Boaz acknowledges the right of a kinsman; Rut 3:14, He sends her away with six measures of barley.
shall I not: Rut 1:9; Co1 7:36; Ti1 5:8, Ti1 5:14
may be: Gen 40:14; Deu 4:40; Psa 128:2; Jer 22:15, Jer 22:16
is not Boaz: Rut 2:20-23; Deu 25:5, Deu 25:6; Heb 2:11-14
he winnoweth: It is probable that the winnowing of grain was effected by taking up a portion of the corn in a sieve, and letting it down slowly in the wind; thus the grain would, by its own weight, fall in one place, while the chaff, etc., would be carried a distance by the wind. It is said here that this was done at night; probably what was threshed out in the day was winnowed in the evening, when the sea breeze set in, which was common in Palestine.
anoint thee: Sa2 14:2; Psa 104:15; Ecc 9:8; Mat 6:17
put thy: Est 5:1; Ti1 2:9, Ti1 2:10
uncover his feet: or, lift up the clothes that are on his feet, Th1 5:22
and did: Exo 20:12; Pro 1:8; Joh 2:5, Joh 15:14
his heart: Gen 43:34; Jdg 16:25, Jdg 19:6, Jdg 19:9, Jdg 19:22; Sa2 13:28; Est 1:10; Psa 104:15; Ecc 2:24, Ecc 3:12, Ecc 3:13, Ecc 8:15, Ecc 9:7, Ecc 10:19; Co1 10:31; Eph 5:18
went to lie: Such was the simplicity of those early times, that the most wealthy persons looked after their own affairs, both at home and in the field. These threshing-floors were covered at top to keep off the rain, but lay open on all sides, that the wind might come in freely, for winnowing the corn; which being done, it is probable they were shut up at night, with doors fitted to them, that if any one lay there he might be kept warm, and the corn be secured from robbers.
Ruth: Rut 2:10-13; Sa1 25:41; Luk 14:11
spread therefore: Hebrew "spread thy wing;" the emblem of protection; and a metaphor taken from the young of fowls, which run under the wings of their mother from birds of prey. Even to the present day, when a Jew marries a woman, he throws the skirts of his talith over her, to signify that he has taken her under his protection. Eze 16:8
a near kinsman: or, one that has right to redeem, Rut 3:12, Rut 2:20
Blessed: Rut 2:4, Rut 2:20; Co1 13:4, Co1 13:5
at the beginning: Rut 1:8
city: Heb. gate, Pro 12:4, Pro 31:10, Pro 31:29-31
there is: Rut 4:1; Mat 7:12; Th1 4:6
if he will: Rut 2:20, Rut 4:5; Deu 25:5-9; Mat 22:24-27
the Lord liveth: Jdg 8:19; Jer 4:2; Co2 1:23; Heb 6:16
Let it not: Ecc 7:1; Rom 12:17, Rom 14:16; Co1 10:32; Co2 8:21; Th1 5:22; Pe1 2:12
veil: or sheet, or apron, The word mitpachath has been variously rendered. The LXX translate it περιζωμα, an apron, and Vulgate, pallium, a cloak. By the circumstances of the story, it must have been of a considerable size; and accordingly Dr. Shaw thinks it was no other than the hyke, the finer sort of which, such as are still worn by ladies and persons of distinction among the Arabs, he takes to answer to the πεπλος, or robe, of the ancient Greeks.
he measured: Isa 32:8; Gal 6:10
six measures: The quantity of this barley is uncertain. The Targum renders it, shith sein, "six seahs." A seah contained about two gallons and a half, six of which must have been a very heavy load for a woman, and so the Targumist thought, for he adds, "And she received strength from the Lord to carry it.
Who art thou: Or, as the Vulgate renders, Quid egisti filiȧ "What hast thou done, my daughter?" Rut 3:16
Sit still: Psa 37:3-5; Isa 28:16, Isa 30:7