Ruth 3 16

Ruth 3:16 kjv

And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.

Ruth 3:16 nkjv

When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "Is that you, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her.

Ruth 3:16 niv

When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, "How did it go, my daughter?" Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her

Ruth 3:16 esv

And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "How did you fare, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her,

Ruth 3:16 nlt

When Ruth went back to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, "What happened, my daughter?" Ruth told Naomi everything Boaz had done for her,

Ruth 3 verses

Ruth 3 16 Meaning

Upon her return from the threshing floor, Ruth's mother-in-law, Naomi, eagerly asks about the outcome of her encounter with Boaz. Ruth then fully recounts Boaz's protective actions, his affirmation of her character, and his generous provisions, confirming his intent to fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer for her. The verse highlights Naomi's anxious anticipation and Ruth's immediate and transparent report, which is foundational for Naomi's subsequent wise counsel.

Ruth 3 16 Context

Ruth 3:16 serves as a pivotal transition within the narrative, connecting the daring encounter at the threshing floor to the morning's anticipated resolution. Immediately preceding this verse, Ruth follows Naomi's meticulous instructions to approach Boaz during the night (vv. 1-7). After she makes her plea for redemption (vv. 8-9), Boaz acknowledges her virtuous character and willingness to honor the kinsman-redeemer law, promising to fulfill it if the closer kinsman declines. He sends her away before dawn with a generous six measures of barley, symbolic of his intent and protection of her reputation (vv. 10-15).

This verse captures the anxious moments as Ruth returns to Naomi, signifying the completion of her daring mission. The question posed by Naomi reveals her deep concern and immediate need for information, reflecting the cultural context where a woman's security and future depended significantly on her marital status and male guardianship within the family. The promptness and comprehensiveness of Ruth's response lay the groundwork for Naomi's continued strategic planning for Ruth's welfare in the very next verse.

Ruth 3 16 Word analysis

• So when she came: The Hebrew "וַתָּבֹ֣וא" (vatavo’) is a Qal imperfect with waw-consecutive, indicating sequential action. It implies Ruth's successful return after the night's events, concluding the preceding action and introducing the new interaction.
• to her mother-in-law: The Hebrew "חֲמוֹתָהּ֙" (ḥamotāh) refers directly to Naomi, emphasizing the central, enduring, and interdependent relationship that is a cornerstone of the Book of Ruth. It underscores the shared life and destiny between them.
• she said: The Hebrew "וַתֹּ֗אמֶר" (vatomer) is a simple narrative connective. It signals the start of direct speech, crucial for understanding Naomi's immediate and probing inquiry.
• “How did you fare, my daughter?”: The Hebrew "מִי־אָ֥תְּ בִּתִּ֔י" (mi-’at bitti), literally "Who are you, my daughter?" is a profound and intensely anxious question. In the dark or dim morning light, it may literally reflect difficulty seeing Ruth clearly. More importantly, it is an idiomatically charged inquiry about Ruth's status: "Have you succeeded?" "Is your fortune changed?" or "Are you returning with new hope or still as you were?" It underscores Naomi's deep longing for a positive outcome for Ruth's future. The term "my daughter" ("בִּתִּ֔י," bitti) reaffirms her enduring love and motherly concern.
• And she told her: The Hebrew "וַתַּגֶּד־לָהּ֙" (vattaged-lah) uses the Hiphil stem, "to declare" or "to make known," suggesting a detailed and thorough report, not just a casual answer. It implies Ruth disclosed everything Boaz had done and said.
• all that: The Hebrew "כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר" (kol-’asher) literally means "the whole that" or "everything which." This detail stresses the complete transparency and trust in Ruth's communication to Naomi, withholding nothing.
• the man: The Hebrew "הָאִֽישׁ" (ha’ish) with the definite article refers specifically to Boaz. There is no ambiguity; he is the man of the hour, the object of their hopes.
• had done for her: The Hebrew "לָהּ֙ עָשָֽׂה" (lah ‘asah) means "he had done for her." This emphasizes Boaz's decisive actions and the beneficial impact on Ruth personally, covering his protective care, verbal assurance, and generous provision.

Words-group analysis:

• "How did you fare, my daughter?": This isn't merely a polite greeting but a weighty question charged with anticipation and suspense. It reflects Naomi's eager desire to know the night's outcome and the impact on Ruth's status, signaling her vested interest in Ruth's security and future. This demonstrates the bond of trust and dependency between them.
• "And she told her all that the man had done for her": This phrase highlights Ruth's obedience, honesty, and transparency towards Naomi. Her comprehensive account allows Naomi to understand the situation fully, empowering her to plan the next strategic move in the redemptive process. This also implicitly validates Boaz's character and his commitment, shifting the narrative from anxiety to confident expectation.

Ruth 3 16 Bonus section

The seemingly simple question, "How did you fare, my daughter?" might also carry an underlying anxiety related to Ruth's chastity. In that cultural context, for an unaccompanied woman to be at a threshing floor overnight could raise questions about her reputation. Naomi's quick inquiry might be partially a test to discern Ruth's physical safety and moral standing. Ruth's detailed reply, including the specific protective actions taken by Boaz (e.g., waiting until morning), directly reassures Naomi of her blameless conduct. The gift of six measures of barley, carried back by Ruth, was more than just provision; it served as a tangible token of Boaz's commitment, a kind of promise or earnest money, signaling his serious intentions to claim her as his wife and redeem their family land. This large gift also implies his recognition of Ruth's inherent worth and dignity. This verse thus solidifies Naomi's renewed hope and marks the turning point where God's hand becomes more overtly manifest through human actions guided by wisdom and love.

Ruth 3 16 Commentary

Ruth 3:16 serves as a moment of great anticipation and disclosure. Naomi, driven by love and a desire for Ruth's secure future, presses for news. Her question, "How did you fare, my daughter?" expresses her deep concern and immediate expectation of whether Ruth's status had changed from a widowed sojourner to a prospective wife under Boaz's protection. Ruth's immediate and detailed recounting—"all that the man had done for her"—demonstrates her filial obedience, her transparent communication, and her unwavering trust in Naomi's guidance. This honest reporting validates Naomi's wise strategy, assuring her that Boaz is indeed the promised kinsman-redeemer. The events described implicitly include not just Boaz's words of commitment but also his concrete actions, like giving her the barley (from the preceding verse), which serves as physical proof and a down payment of his good intentions. This intimate exchange underscores the powerful bond between these two women, as Naomi now has the necessary information to move confidently toward the culmination of their plan, trusting in God's providence through Boaz.