New King James Version
Ruth 3:12
12Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, 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 Living Translation (NLT)But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am.
Context of Ruth 3:12
10Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. 11And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.” 14So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the 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 4:1Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down.
- Matthew 7:12Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:6that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries