Ruth 3:12

Ruth 3:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
• New International Version (NIV)Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.

Context of Ruth 3:12

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. 11And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character. Yes, it is true that I am a kinsman-redeemer, but there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13Stay here tonight, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, good. Let him redeem you. But if he does not want to redeem you, as surely as the LORD lives, I will. Now lie here until morning.” 14So she lay down at his feet until morning, but she got up before anyone else could recognize her. Then Boaz said, “Do not let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor.”

Ruth 3:12 word by word

וְעַתָּה֙ כִּ֣י אָמְנָ֔ם כִּ֥י גֹאֵ֖ל אָנֹ֑כִי וְגַ֛ם יֵ֥שׁ גֹּאֵ֖ל קָר֥וֹב מִמֶּֽנִּי׃Read the interlinear

• ·עַתָּ֫ה‛attâh · nowH6258
• Yesכִּיkîy · forH3588
• it is trueאׇמְנָם'omnâm · trulyH551
• Iאָֽנֹכִ֫י'ânôkîy · IH595
• ·אִם'im · ifH518
• a kinsman-redeemerגָּאַלgâ'al · to redeem: redeemH1350
• butגַּםgam · alsoH1571
• there isיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• nearerקָרֹבqârôb qârôb · nearH7138
• than Iמִן־min minnîy minnêy · fromH4480

Cross-references for Ruth 3:12

• Ruth 4:1Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.
• Matthew 7:12In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:6and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you.

Commentaries on Ruth 3:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12There is a kinsman nearer than I - It is very likely that Naomi was not acquainted with this circumstance. Some have supposed that there was a brother of Elimelech remaining, who was nearer than Boaz, who is supposed to have been only a nephew; the former, therefore, must have a prior right.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12By “kinsman,” understand the גאל gā'al (Rth 2:20 note).Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-13Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-13Another man was more closely related to Elimelech than Boaz. He had the first right to act as the family redeemer and, according to most interpreters, to marry Ruth.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-132. he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor--The winnowing process is performed by throwing up the grain, after being trodden down, against the wind with a shovel. The threshing-floor, which was commonly on the harvest-field, was carefully leveled with a large cylindric roller and consolidated with chalk, that weeds might not spring up, and that it might not chop with drought. The farmer usually remained all night in harvest-time on the…Read the comment

Topics related to Ruth 3:12

• Chastity
• Continence
• Courtship
• Threshing

In the dictionaries

• Daughter
• Fall
• Goel
• Kinsman
• Levirate Law
• Skirt
• Boaz
• Kinsman; Kinswoman
• Naomi
• Near, Nigh

Commentaries on Ruth 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary