Ruth 3:9 "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."

◄ Ruth 3:9 ►

New International Version
“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.”

New Living Translation
“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”

English Standard Version
He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

Berean Standard Bible
“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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.”

New American Standard Bible
So he said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your slave. Now spread your garment over your slave, for you are a redeemer.”

NASB 1995
He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.”

NASB 1977
And he said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maidservant. So spread your wing over your maidservant, for you are a kinsman redeemer.”

Amplified Bible
So he said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. Spread the hem of your garment over me, for you are a close relative and redeemer.”

Christian Standard Bible
So he asked, “Who are you? ” “I am Ruth, your servant,” she replied. “Take me under your wing, for you are a family redeemer.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So he asked, “Who are you?"” I am Ruth, your slave,” she replied. “Spread your cloak over me, for you are a family redeemer.”

American Standard Version
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thy handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

Contemporary English Version
"Who are you?" he asked. "Sir, I am Ruth," she answered, "and you are the relative who is supposed to take care of me. So spread the edge of your cover over me."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Who are you?" he asked. She answered, "I am Ruth. Spread the corner of your garment over me because you are a close relative who can take care of me."

Good News Translation
"Who are you?" he asked. "It's Ruth, sir," she answered. "Because you are a close relative, you are responsible for taking care of me. So please marry me."

International Standard Version
He asked her, "Who are you?" She answered, "I'm only Ruth, your servant. Spread the edge of your garment over your servant, because you are my related redeemer."

Majority Standard Bible
“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.”

NET Bible
He said, "Who are you?" She replied, "I am Ruth, your servant. Marry your servant, for you are a guardian of the family interests."

New Heart English Bible
He said, "Who are you?" She answered, "I am Ruth your handmaid. Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your handmaid; for you are a redeeming kinsman."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thy handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

World English Bible
He said, “Who are you?” She answered, “I am Ruth your servant. Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your servant; for you are a near kinsman.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And he says, “Who [are] you?” And she says, “I [am] Ruth your handmaid, and you have spread your skirt over your handmaid, for you [are] a redeemer.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith, 'Who art thou?' and she saith, 'I am Ruth thy handmaid, and thou hast spread thy skirt over thy handmaid, for thou art a redeemer.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Who art thou? And she will say, I am Ruth thy servant: and spread thy wing over thy servant, for thou a blood relation.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to her: Who art thou? And she answered: I am Ruth thy handmaid: spread thy coverlet over thy servant, for thou art a near kinsman.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to her, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your handmaid. Spread your covering over your servant, for you are a near relative.”

New American Bible
“Who are you?” he asked. She replied, “I am your servant Ruth. Spread the wing of your cloak over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

New Revised Standard Version
He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant; spread your cloak over your servant, for you are next-of-kin.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And he said to her, Who are you? And she answered, I am Ruth, your handmaid; cover therefore your maidservant with the end of your robe, for you are a near kinsman.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to her: “Who are you?”, and she said to him: “I am Ruth your Maid Servant, but cover your Maid Servant with the skirt of your cloak, because you are a Redeemer of Inheritance”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'Who art thou?' And she answered: 'I am Ruth thine handmaid; spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, Who art thou? and she said, I am thine handmaid Ruth; spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid, for thou art a near relation.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Ruth Claims Boaz as Kinsman
8At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman! 9“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.” 10Then Boaz said, “May the LORD bless you, my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before, because you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 25:5-10
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ...

Genesis 38:8
Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”

Leviticus 25:25
If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.

Ruth 2:20
Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”

Ezekiel 16:8
Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 54:5
For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.

Genesis 24:60
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”

1 Kings 2:19
So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.

Genesis 19:32-36
Come, let us get our father drunk with wine so we can sleep with him and preserve his line.” / So that night they got their father drunk with wine, and the firstborn went in and slept with her father; he was not aware when she lay down or when she got up. / The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Look, I slept with my father last night. Let us get him drunk with wine again tonight so you can go in and sleep with him and we can preserve our father’s line.” ...

Matthew 22:24-28
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. / The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh. ...

Luke 20:28-33
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless. / Then the second ...

Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

1 Corinthians 6:20
you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Treasury of Scripture

And he said, Who are you? And she answered, I am Ruth your handmaid: spread therefore your skirt over your handmaid; for you are a near kinsman.

Ruth

Ruth 2:10-13
Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? …

1 Samuel 25:41
And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

Luke 14:11
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Ezekiel 16:8
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

a near kinsman.

Ruth 3:12
And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

Ruth 2:20
And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

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Close Corner Covering Handmaid Kin Kinsman Kinsman-Redeemer Maid Maidservant Redeemer Redemption Relation Relative Right Ruth Servant Skirt Spread Wife

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Close Corner Covering Handmaid Kin Kinsman Kinsman-Redeemer Maid Maidservant Redeemer Redemption Relation Relative Right Ruth Servant Skirt Spread Wife

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

Berean Study Bible

Who are you?
This question posed by Boaz is both literal and symbolic. In the darkness of the threshing floor, Boaz seeks to identify the person at his feet. Symbolically, it represents a deeper inquiry into identity and purpose. In Hebrew, the question "Mi at?" (מִי־אָתְּ) reflects a moment of recognition and potential transformation. Boaz's inquiry sets the stage for Ruth's declaration of identity and intention, highlighting the importance of knowing and understanding one's role in God's plan.

I am your servant Ruth
Ruth's response is humble and respectful. The term "servant" (Hebrew: אֲמָתֶךָ, "amatkha") indicates her willingness to submit and serve, a reflection of her character throughout the narrative. By identifying herself as "Ruth," she asserts her identity and her Moabite heritage, yet she aligns herself with Boaz's household. This duality underscores the theme of inclusion and redemption, as Ruth, a foreigner, is embraced within the covenant community of Israel.

Spread the corner of your garment over me
This phrase is rich with cultural and covenantal significance. The Hebrew word for "corner" is "kanaf" (כָּנָף), which also means "wing." This imagery evokes protection and provision, akin to a bird sheltering its young. In the context of ancient Near Eastern customs, spreading one's garment over another symbolized a pledge of marriage or protection. Ruth's request is a bold yet humble appeal for Boaz to act as her protector and provider, invoking the imagery of God's protective "wings" over His people (cf. Psalm 91:4).

for you are a kinsman-redeemer
The term "kinsman-redeemer" (Hebrew: גֹּאֵל, "go'el") is central to the narrative. It refers to a close relative who has the responsibility to redeem a family member in distress, whether through marriage, land redemption, or avenging blood. This role is rooted in the Levitical laws (Leviticus 25:25-55) and underscores God's provision for the vulnerable. Ruth's appeal to Boaz as a "go'el" highlights the themes of redemption and restoration, pointing to the ultimate redemption found in Christ, our Kinsman-Redeemer, who restores us to God.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Skirt.--Literally wing; Heb. canaph, as in Ruth 2:12. The Targum treats this as in itself the claim to espousal on her part. The metaphor may be illustrated from Ezekiel 16:8, and more generally from Matthew 23:37.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - And he said, Who art thou? And she said, I am Ruth, thy handmaid; and thou hast spread thy wings over thy handmaid, for thou art kinsman. The Syriac translator spoils the question of Boaz by metamorphosing it from "Who art thou?" into "What is thy message?" Tremulous would be the voice of Ruth as she replied, "I am Ruth, thy handmaid." What she said in continuance has been very generally, and by Driver, among others ('Hebrew Tenses,' p. 135), misapprehended. Not by Raabe, however. It has been regarded as a petition presented to Boaz - "Spread thy wings (or, thy wing) over thy handmaid, for thou art kinsman." The literal translation, however, and far the more delicate idea, as also far the more effective representation, is, "And thou hast spread thy wings over thy handmaid, for thou art kinsman." Ruth explains her position under Boaz's coverlet as if it were his own deliberate act. Such is her felicitous way of putting the case. It is as if she had said, "The position in which thy handmaid actually is exhibits the true relation in which thou standest to thy handmaid. She is under thy wings. Thou hast benignantly spread them over her, for thou art kinsman." The Masorites have correctly regarded כנפ as a scriptio defectiva for the dual of the noun, and hence have punctuated it כְּנָפֶך, "thy wings." The majority of interpreters, however, have assumed that the word is singular, and have hence translated it as if it had been punctuated כְּנָפְך. The dual reading is to be preferred. Boaz himself had represented Ruth as having come trustfully under the wings of Yahveh (see Ruth 2:12). She accepted the representation. It was beautifully true. But, as she was well aware that God often works through human agency, she now recognized the Divine hand in the kindness of Boaz. "Thou hast spread thy wings over thine handmaid." She was under his wings because she had come under the wings of Yahveh. She felt like a little timid chicken; but she had found a refuge. It is the wings of tender, gentle, sheltering care that are referred to. There is only indirect allusion to the typical coverlet under which she lay. For thou art kinsman (see Ruth 2:20). The native modesty of Ruth led her to account for her position by a reference to the law of kinship. She had rights, and she stood upon them. She conceived that Boaz had correlative duties to discharge; but we may be sure that she would never have made the least reference to her rights, or to the correlative duties which she regarded as devolving on Boaz, had she not known that his heart was already hers.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“Who
מִי־ (mî-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

are you?”
אָ֑תּ‪‬ (’āt)
Pronoun - second person feminine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

he asked.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I [am]
אָנֹכִי֙ (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

your servant
אֲמָתֶ֔ךָ (’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave

Ruth,”
ר֣וּת (rūṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7327: Ruth -- 'friendship', a Moabite ancestress of David

she replied.
וַתֹּ֗אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Spread
וּפָרַשְׂתָּ֤ (ū·p̄ā·raś·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6566: To break apart, disperse

the corner of your garment
כְנָפֶ֙ךָ֙ (ḵə·nā·p̄e·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

me,
אֲמָ֣תְךָ֔ (’ă·mā·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you
אָֽתָּה׃ (’āt·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are a kinsman-redeemer.”
גֹאֵ֖ל (ḡō·’êl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

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OT History: Ruth 3:9 He said Who are you? She answered (Ru Rut.)