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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:12

There 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 more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:13

As the Lord liveth - Thus he bound himself by an oath to take her to wife if the other should refuse. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:15

Bring the veil - פחת המט hammit pachath ; this seems to have been a cloak, plaid, or what the Arabs call hayk , which has been largely explained elsewhere. See Judges 14:12 . Six measures of barley - We supply the word measures, for the Hebrew mentions no quantity. The Targum renders six seahs, סאין שית shith sein , which, as a seah was about two gallons and a half, must have been a very heavy load for a woman; and so the Targumist thought, for he adds, And she... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 3:18

Until thou know how the matter will fall - That is, whether he who is nearer of kin than Boaz will take thee to wife; do not return again till this thing is determined. Boaz lost no time to bring this to an issue, as we shall see in the following chapter, Ruth 4 (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:1-18

Naomi's maternal solicitude. This is one of those paragraphs of Scripture which require delicate handling, but which, for that very reason, are full of suggestiveness that comes home to the bosom. Under strange, old-fashioned forms of things there was often much real virtue and true nobility of character. 1. It may be regarded as certain that while the harvest lasted Boaz and Ruth would be coming daily into contact with each other. 2. It may likewise be assumed as certain that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:10-11

"And now, my daughter, fear not"—give not thyself any anxious concern in reference to the result. "All the people in the gate of my city know that thou art a virtuous woman ." Yes, she was virtuous; and yet she was much more. She was endowed with all the capabilities which fitted her for the position she was willing to occupy (see the Exposition ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:11

And now, my daughter, fear not: all that thou sayest I shall do to thee, for it is on all hands known in the gate of my people that thou art a truly capable woman. The word חָיִל in the expression אֵשֶׁת חֱיִל is of many-sided import, and has no synonym in English, German, Latin, or Greek. But every side of its import brings into view one or other or more of such affiliated ideas as strength , force , forces , capability —whether mental and moral only, or also financial; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:11

A virtuous woman. The circumstances of the narrative read strangely to us. But one nation and one age cannot fairly apply its standards to another. Nothing is more certain than that the conduct of Naomi, of Ruth, and of Boaz was perfectly correct, and probably Ruth's proceeding was wise and justifiable. Upon her character no breath of suspicion rested; she was, in the language of the text, "a virtuous woman." I. RUTH 'S VIRTUE WAS MANIFESTED BY HER CIRCUMSPECT CONDUCT ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:11

Above rubies. "A virtuous woman." Here is the crown of all beauty. What a renown is this of Ruth's. No jeweled necklet, no Eastern retinue, can give such attraction as this. We may have women of genius, and we admire genius; we may have women of scientific attainment, and God has given no lack of intellectual endowments to women, but we must have virtue. Let the history of later Rome tell us what the loss of this is. I. NO LIFE IS HIDDEN . "All the city of my people doth know... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 3:12

And now it is the case of a truth that while I am a kinsman, there is yet a kinsman nearer than I. Or the rendering might with greater brevity be given thus: And now of a truth I am a kinsman; and yet there is a kinsman nearer than I. The survivals of a very ancient style of elaborately-detailed composition are here preserved. The archaism, however, was not quite appreciated by the Mazorites, who, in accordance with the spirit of the age in which they flourished, took but little note of... read more

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