Ruth at the Threshing Floor
Ruth 3
On Noemin's instruction, Ruth goes at night to the threshing floor where Booz is winnowing barley, and after he lies down she uncovers his feet and lies there, asking him as a near kinsman to spread his covering over her. Booz praises her faithfulness and acknowledges his kinship, but reveals a nearer kinsman with the first right to act as redeemer, and sends Ruth home before dawn with six measures of barley.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAND Noemin her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek a rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
BrentonAnd she lodged with her mother-in-law: and Noemin her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
GreekΚαὶ ἐκάθισε μετὰ τῆς πενθερᾶς αὐτῆς· εἶπε δὲ αὐτῇ Νωεμὶν ἡ πενθερὰ αὐτῆς, θύγατερ, οὐ μὴ ζητήσω σοι ἀνάπαυσιν, ἵνα εὖ γένηταί σοι;
KJVThen Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
JPSAnd Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her: ‘My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
2
ThomsonNow is not Boaz our relation, with whose girls thou hast been? Behold he is winnowing barley in the threshing floor.
BrentonAnd now is not Booz our kinsman, with whose damsels thou wast? behold, he winnows barley this night in the floor.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν οὐχὶ Βοὸζ γνώριμος ἡμῶν, οὗ ἦς μετὰ τῶν κορασίων αὐτοῦ; ἰδοὺ αὐτὸς λικμᾷ τὸν ἅλωνα τῶν κριθῶν ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτί.
KJVAnd now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
JPSAnd now is there not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor.
3
ThomsonThis very night therefore thou shalt wash, and anoint thyself, and put on thy raiment, and go up to the threshing floor. But make not thyself known to the man till he hath done eating and drinking.
BrentonBut do thou wash, and anoint thyself, and put thy raiment upon thee, and go up to the threshing-floor: do not discover thyself to the man until he has done eating and drinking.
GreekΣὺ δὲ λούσῃ, καὶ ἀλείψῃ, καὶ περιθήσεις τὸν ἱματισμόν σου ἐπὶ σὲ, καὶ ἀναβήσῃ ἐπὶ τὸν ἅλω· μὴ γνωρισθῇς τῷ ἀνδρὶ ἕως τοῦ συντελέσαι αὐτὸν τοῦ φαγεῖν καὶ πιεῖν.
KJVWash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
JPSWash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the threshing-floor; but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
4
ThomsonAnd when he goeth to rest, mark the place where he lieth down, and go and uncover his feet, and lie down, and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
BrentonAnd it shall come to pass when he lies down, that thou shalt mark the place where he lies down, and shalt come and lift up the covering of his feet, and shalt lie down; and he shall tell thee what thou shalt do.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ἐν τῷ κοιμηθῆναι αὐτὸν, καὶ γνώσῃ τὸν τόπον ὅπου κοιμᾶται ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἐλεύσῃ καὶ ἀποκαλύψεις τὰ πρὸς ποδῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ κοιμηθήσῃ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἀπαγγελεῖ σοι ἃ ποιήσεις.
KJVAnd it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
JPSAnd it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.’
5
ThomsonAnd Ruth said to her, All that thou hast ordered me I will do.
BrentonAnd Ruth said to her, All that thou shalt say, I will do.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ῥοὺθ πρὸς αὐτὴν, πάντα ὅσα ἂν εἴπῃς, ποιήσω.
KJVAnd she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
JPSAnd she said unto her: ‘All that thou sayest unto me I will do.’
6
ThomsonSo she went up to the threshing floor, and did all that her mother-in-law commanded her.
BrentonAnd she went down to the threshing-floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law enjoined her.
GreekΚαὶ κατέβη εἰς τὸν ἅλω, καὶ ἐποίησε κατὰ πάντα, ὅσα ἐνετείλατο αὐτῇ ἡ πενθερὰ αὐτῆς.
KJVAnd she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
JPSAnd she went down unto the threshing-floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her.
7
ThomsonAnd when Boaz had eaten, and drunk, and his heart was cheered, he went and lay down at the side of a heap of corn. Then she went in softly and uncovered his feet.
BrentonAnd Booz ate and drank, and his heart was glad, and he came to lie down by the side of the heap of corn; and she came secretly, and lifted up the covering of his feet.
GreekΚαὶ ἔφαγε Βοὸζ καὶ ἔπιε, καὶ ἠγαθύνθη ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἦλθε κοιμηθῆναι ἐν μερίδι τῆς στοιβῆς· ἡ δὲ ἦλθεν ἐν κρυφῇ, καὶ ἀπεκάλυψε τὰ πρὸς ποδῶν αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
JPSAnd when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn; and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
8
ThomsonAnd in the middle of the night the man was astonished, and troubled, for lo! a woman was lying at his feet.
BrentonAnd it came to pass at midnight that the man was amazed, and troubled, and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
GreekἘγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ μεσονυκτίῳ, καὶ ἐξέστη ὁ ἀνὴρ, καὶ ἐταράχθη, καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ κοιμᾶται πρὸς ποδῶν αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
JPSAnd it came to pass at midnight, that the man was startled, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9
ThomsonAnd he said, Who art thou? And she said, I am Ruth thy handmaid; therefore spread thy skirt over thy handmaid, for thou art near a kinsman.
BrentonAnd he said, Who art thou? and she said, I am thine handmaid Ruth; spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid, for thou art a near relation.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ, τίς εἶ σύ; ἡ δὲ εἶπεν, ἐγὼ εἰμι Ῥοὺθ ἡ δούλη σου, καὶ περιβαλεῖς τὸ πτερύγιόν σου ἐπὶ τὴν δούλην σου, ὅτι ἀγχιστεὺς εἶ σύ.
KJVAnd he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
JPSAnd he said: ‘Who art thou?’ And she answered: ‘I am Ruth thine handmaid; spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.’
10
ThomsonAnd Boaz said, Blessed art thou of the Lord God, my daughter; for thou hast shewn more kindness in this last act than in the former, in not going after young men either poor or rich.
BrentonAnd Booz said, Blessed be thou of the Lord God, my daughter, for thou hast made thy latter kindness greater than the former, in that thou followest not after young men, whether any be poor or rich.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Βοὸζ, εὐλογημένη σὺ τῷ Κυρίῳ Θεῷ, θύγατερ, ὅτι ἠγάθυνας τὸ ἔλεός σου τὸ ἔσχατον ὑπὲρ τὸ πρῶτον, μὴ πορευθῆναί σε ὀπίσω νεανιῶν, εἴτοι πτωχὸς εἴτοι πλούσιος.
KJVAnd he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
JPSAnd he said: ‘Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter; thou hast shown more kindness in the end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou didst not follow the young men, whether poor or rich.
11
ThomsonNow therefore, my daughter, be not afraid, I will do for thee all thou hast said; for all the tribe of my people know that thou art a virtuous woman.
BrentonAnd now fear not, my daughter, whatever thou shalt say I will do to thee; for all the tribe of my people knows that thou art a virtuous woman.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν θύγατερ μὴ φοβοῦ, πάντα ὅσα ἐὰν εἴπῃς ποιήσω σοι· οἶδε γὰρ πᾶσα φυλὴ λαοῦ μου ὅτι γυνὴ δυνάμεως εἶ σύ.
KJVAnd now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
JPSAnd now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou sayest; for all the men in the gate of my people do know that thou art a virtuous woman.
12
ThomsonNow indeed it is true that I am a near relation; but there is a relation nearer of kin than I.
BrentonAnd now I am truly akin to thee; nevertheless there is a kinsman nearer than I.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν ὁ ἀληθῶς ἀγχιστεὺς ἐγώ εἰμι· καί γε ἐστὶν ἀγχιστεὺς ἐγγίων ὑπὲρ ἐμέ.
KJVAnd now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
JPSAnd now it is true that I am a near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
13
ThomsonTarry this night, and it shall be, in the morning, that if he perform to thee the part of a kinsman, well: let him do so. But if he decline to perform to thee the part of a kinsman, I myself will do the kinsman’s part for thee, as the Lord liveth. Go to sleep till the morning.
BrentonLodge here for the night, and it shall be in the morning, if he will do the part of a kinsman to thee, well—let him do it: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, I will do the kinsman's part to thee, as the Lord lives; lie down till the morning.
GreekΑὐλίσθητι τὴν νύκτα, καὶ ἔσται τοπρωῒ ἐὰν ἀγχιστεύσῃ σε, ἀγαθόν· ἀγχιστευέτω· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ βούληται ἀγχιστεῦσαί σε, ἀγχιστεύσω σε ἐγώ· ζῇ Κύριος· κοιμήθητι ἕως τοπρωΐ.
KJVTarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.
JPSTarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part; but if he be not willing to do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth; lie down until the morning.’
14
ThomsonSo she lay at his feet till the morning, and arose before one could know another. And Boaz said, Let it not be known that a woman came to the threshing floor.
BrentonAnd she lay at his feet until the morning; and she rose up before a man could know his neighbour; and Booz said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκοιμήθη πρὸς ποδῶν αὐτοῦ ἕως πρωΐ· ἡ δὲ ἀνέστη πρὸ τοῦ ἐπιγνῶναι ἄνδρα τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ· καὶ εἶπε Βοὸζ, μὴ γνωσθήτω, ὅτι ἦλθε γυνὴ εἰς τὸν ἅλω.
KJVAnd she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
JPSAnd she lay at his feet until the morning; and she rose up before one could discern another. For he said: ‘Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor.’
15
ThomsonThen he said to her, Bring the sash which is girt about thee. So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her, and went to the city.
BrentonAnd he said to her, Bring the apron that is upon thee: and she held it, and he measured six measures of barley, and put them upon her, and she went into the city.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ, Φέρε τὸ περίζωμα τὸ ἐπάνω σου· καὶ ἐκράτησεν αὐτὸ, καὶ ἐμέτρησεν ἓξ κριθῶν, καὶ ἐπέθηκεν ἐπʼ αὐτὴν, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν.
KJVAlso he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
JPSAnd he said: ‘Bring the mantle that is upon thee, and hold it’; and she held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; and he went into the city.
16
ThomsonAnd Ruth went to her mother-in-law. And her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter! And when Ruth had told her all that the man had done to her;
BrentonAnd Ruth went in to her mother-in-law, and she said to her, My daughter! and Ruth told her all that the man had done to her.
GreekΚαὶ Ῥοὺθ εἰσῆλθε πρὸς τὴν πενθερὰ αὐτῆς· ἡ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῇ, θύγατερ· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησεν αὐτῇ ὁ ἀνήρ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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.
17
Thomsonand said to her, He gave me also these six measures of barley; for said he to me, Thou must not go empty to thy mother-in-law;
BrentonAnd she said to her, He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said to me, Go not empty to thy mother-in-law.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ, τὰ ἕξ τῶν κριθῶν ταῦτα ἔδωκέ μοι, ὅτι εἶπε πρὸς μὲ, μὴ εἰσέλθῃς κενὴ πρὸς τὴν πενθεράν σου.
KJVAnd she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
JPSAnd she said: ‘These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me: Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.’
18
Thomsonshe said, Sit still my daughter till thou know the issue of this matter; for the man will not rest till the affair is now brought to a conclusion.
BrentonAnd she said, Sit still, my daughter, until thou shalt know how the matter will fall out; for the man will not rest until the matter be accomplished this day.
GreekἩ δὲ εἶπε, κάθου θύγατερ, ἕως τοῦ ἐπιγνῶναί σε πῶς οὐ πεσεῖται ῥῆμα· οὐ γὰρ μὴ ἡσυχάσῃ ὁ ἀνὴρ ἕως ἂν τελεσθῇ τὸ ῥῆμα σήμερον.
KJVThen said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
JPSThen said she: ‘Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall; for the man will not rest, until he have finished the thing this day.’