Ruth 3:9
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New International Version (©1984)
"Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer."

New American Standard Bible (©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."

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
"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."

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.

American King James Version
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.

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.

Bible in Basic English
And he said, Who are you? And she answering said, I am your servant Ruth: take your servant as wife, for you are a near relation.

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.

Darby Bible Translation
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth, thy handmaid: spread thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou hast the right of redemption.

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.

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 handmaid. Therefore spread your skirt over your handmaid; for you are a near kinsman."

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.'

Geneva Study 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.

Wesley's Notes

3:9 Spread thy Skirt - That is, take me to be thy wife, and perform the duty of an husband to me.

King James Translators' Notes

a near...: or, one that hath right to redeem

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

9. I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman-She had already drawn part of the mantle over her; and she asked him now to do it, that the act might become his own. To spread a skirt over one is, in the East, a symbolical action denoting protection. To this day in many parts of the East, to say of anyone that he put his skirt over a woman, is synonymous with saying that he married her; and at all the marriages of the modern Jews and Hindus, one part of the ceremony is for the bridegroom to put a silken or cotton cloak around his bride.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:6-13 What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or another nation. Being a judge of Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person. The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged.


Ruth 3:8 It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
Ruth 3:10 Then he said, "May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. (NASB ©1995)

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


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.

Ruth Ru 2:10-13 1Sa 25:41 Lu 14:11

spread therefore [heb] 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 talisth 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 Ru 3:12 2:20

Bible Gateway: Ruth Chapter 3 Verse 9 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: a am And answered are asked close corner covering for garment he I kinsman-redeemer maid me of over relative Ruth said servant she since So Spread the Who you your

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OT History: Ruth 3:9 He said Who are you? She answered (Ru Rut.) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools

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