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 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. 11So now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you say, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. But now, although it is true that I am a redeemer, yet there is also a redeemer more closely related than I. 13Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.” 14So she lay at his feet until morning, and got up before one person could recognize another; and he said, “Do not let it be known that the 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

• But nowעַתָּ֫ה‛attâh · nowH6258
• althoughכִּיkîy · forH3588
• it is trueאׇמְנָם'omnâm · trulyH551
• that I am a redeemerגָּאַלgâ'al · to redeem: redeemH1350
• yet thereיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• alsoגַּםgam · alsoH1571
• moreמִן־min minnîy minnêy · fromH4480
• closelyקָרֹבqârôb qârôb · nearH7138
• thanמִן־min minnîy minnêy · fromH4480

Cross-references for Ruth 3:12

• Ruth 4:1Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the redeemer of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Come over here, friend, sit down here.” And he came over and sat down.
• Matthew 7:12“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:6and that no one violate the rights and take advantage of his brother or sister in the matter, because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you previously 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
• Naomi
• Near, Nigh
• Relationships, Family

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