Translations
Modern
“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.”
Traditional
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
Literal
And he said, “Who are you?” And she said, “I am Ruth your maidservant. And you shall spread your wing over your maidservant, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.”
Latin
…et ait illi: Quæ es? Illaque respondit: Ego sum Ruth ancilla tua: expande pallium tuum super famulam tuam, quia propinquus es.
Original
Hebrew
English
“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.”
Notes
your servant: Ruth intentionally identified herself with the female workers.
Spread the corner of your garment over me: This was Ruth's way of asking Boaz to marry her (compare Ezekiel 16:8).
Ruth appealed to Boaz’s role as a family redeemer (Hebrew go’el) to convince him to marry her (see Ruth 4:5; “The Family Redeemer” Theme Note).
Theme notes and profiles
People
Ruth: Moabite woman, ancestor of David and Jesus
Glossary
Topics
Age Differences in Marriage Chastity: Boaz Continence: Boaz Courtship: Ancient Customs of Women Proposed Marriage Ruth: Under Naomi's Instructions Claims from Boaz the Duty of a Kinsman Threshing: Floors For