God’s Word Translation
Ruth 3:12
12It is true that I am a close relative of yours, but there is a relative closer than I.
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
10Boaz replied, “May the Lord bless you, my daughter. This last kindness—that you didn’t go after the younger men, whether rich or poor—is better than the first. 11Don’t be afraid, my daughter. I will do whatever you say. The whole town knows that you are a woman who has strength of character. It is true that I am a close relative of yours, but there is a relative closer than I. 13Stay here tonight. In the morning if he will agree to take care of you, that is good. He can take care of you. But if he does not wish to take care of you, then, I solemnly swear, as the Lord lives, I will take care of you myself. Lie down until morning.” 14So Ruth lay at his feet until morning. Then she got up early before anyone could be recognized. At that moment Boaz thought to himself, “I hope that no one will ever know that this woman came to the threshing floor.”
Read all of Ruth 3Ruth 3:12 word by word
וְעַתָּה֙ כִּ֣י אָמְנָ֔ם כִּ֥י גֹאֵ֖ל אָנֹ֑כִי וְגַ֛ם יֵ֥שׁ גֹּאֵ֖ל קָר֥וֹב מִמֶּֽנִּי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ruth 3:12
- Ruth 4:1Boaz went to the city gate and sat there. Just then, the relative about whom he had spoken was passing by. Boaz said, “Please come over here and sit, my friend.” So the man came over and sat down.
- Matthew 7:12“Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is ⌞the meaning of⌟ Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:6No one should take advantage of or exploit other believers that way. The Lord is the one who punishes people for all these things. We’ve already told you and warned you about this.
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
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries