The Meaning of Ruth 3:1 Explained

Ruth 3:1

KJV: Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

YLT: And Naomi her mother-in-law saith to her, 'My daughter, do not I seek for thee rest, that it may be well with thee?

Darby: And Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

ASV: And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then Naomi  her mother in law  said  unto her, My daughter,  shall I not seek  rest  for thee, that it may be well  with thee? 

What does Ruth 3:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Ruth 3:1-18 - The Part Of A Kinsman
According to the old Hebrew law, Ruth was already married to Boaz, on the supposition that he was next of kin. Naomi apparently had no knowledge of a nearer kinsman than he. Compare Ruth 2:20, R.V., 3:12; Deuteronomy 25:5-10. There was therefore no immodesty in Naomi's proposals, though they are foreign to our modern practice. But clearly Boaz acted with admirable self-restraint. His earnest concern was for the good name of the young girl who had thrown herself on his protection, Ruth 2:11; Ruth 2:14. Next to God's grace, the one thought which helps us in the hour of testing is to put the interests of another before our own. Love to our neighbor is ultimately love to ourselves.
What confidence these two helpless women reposed in Boaz! The words with which Naomi closed their conversation suggest a character of absolute reliableness. His word was his bond. He was prompt, decisive and instant in carrying out any measure to which he felt himself pledged. Dilatoriness will wear out the heart of those who trust us. Let us finish promptly what we undertake! "Diligent in business, fervent in spirit!" Remember that when you trust Christ with anything, He also will not rest till He has finished it. [source]

Chapter Summary: Ruth 3

1  By Naomi's instruction
5  Ruth lies at Boaz's feet
8  Boaz acknowledges the right of a kinsman
14  He sends her away with six measures of barley

What do the individual words in Ruth 3:1 mean?

And said to her Naomi her mother-in-law My daughter shall not I seek for you security that it may be well with you
וַתֹּ֥אמֶר לָ֖הּ נָעֳמִ֣י חֲמוֹתָ֑הּ בִּתִּ֞י הֲלֹ֧א אֲבַקֶּשׁ־ לָ֛ךְ מָנ֖וֹחַ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִֽיטַב־ לָֽךְ

וַתֹּ֥אמֶר  And  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
לָ֖הּ  to  her 
Parse: Preposition, third person feminine singular
נָעֳמִ֣י  Naomi 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: נָעֳמִי  
Sense: wife of Elimelech, mother of Mahlon and Chilion, and mother-in-law of Ruth and Orpah.
חֲמוֹתָ֑הּ  her  mother-in-law 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person feminine singular
Root: חָמֹות  
Sense: mother-in-law, husband’s mother.
בִּתִּ֞י  My  daughter 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: בַּת  
Sense: daughter.
הֲלֹ֧א  shall  not 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
אֲבַקֶּשׁ־  I  seek 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: בָּקַשׁ  
Sense: to seek, require, desire, exact, request.
לָ֛ךְ  for  you 
Parse: Preposition, second person feminine singular
מָנ֖וֹחַ  security 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָנׄוחַ  
Sense: resting place, state or condition of rest, place.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
יִֽיטַב־  it  may  be  well 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָטַב  
Sense: to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad.
לָֽךְ  with  you 
Parse: Preposition, second person feminine singular