The Meaning of Ruth 3:17 Explained

Ruth 3:17

KJV: And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

YLT: And she saith, 'These six measures of barley he hath given to me, for he said, Thou dost not go in empty unto thy mother-in-law.'

Darby: And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty to thy mother-in-law.

ASV: And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And she said,  These six  [measures] of barley  gave  he me; for he said  to me, Go  not empty  unto thy mother in law. 

What does Ruth 3:17 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 3:17 mean?

And she said six [ephahs] of barley these he gave me for he said her to me not do go empty-handed to your mother-in-law
וַתֹּ֕אמֶר שֵׁשׁ־ הַשְּׂעֹרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה נָ֣תַן לִ֑י כִּ֚י אָמַ֣ר (אֵלַ֔י) אַל־ תָּב֥וֹאִי רֵיקָ֖ם אֶל־ חֲמוֹתֵֽךְ

וַתֹּ֕אמֶר  And  she  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
שֵׁשׁ־  six 
Parse: Number, feminine singular construct
Root: שֵׁשׁ  
Sense: six.
הַשְּׂעֹרִ֥ים  [ephahs]  of  barley 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine plural
Root: שְׂעֹרָה  
Sense: barley.
הָאֵ֖לֶּה  these 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, common plural
Root: אֵהֶל 
Sense: these.
נָ֣תַן  he  gave 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
לִ֑י  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
אָמַ֣ר  he  said 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
(אֵלַ֔י)  her 
Parse: Preposition, third person feminine singular
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
אַל־  to  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
תָּב֥וֹאִי  not  do  go 
Parse: Pd, Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person feminine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
רֵיקָ֖ם  empty-handed 
Parse: Adverb
Root: רֵיקָם  
Sense: vainly, emptily.
חֲמוֹתֵֽךְ  your  mother-in-law 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, second person feminine singular
Root: חָמֹות  
Sense: mother-in-law, husband’s mother.

What are the major concepts related to Ruth 3:17?

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