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Ruth 3:10

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Ruth 3:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said, Blessed be thou of Jehovah, my daughter: thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said, Blessed be thou of Jehovah, my daughter: thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
Ruth 3:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Ruth 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
8And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thy handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
10And he said, Blessed be thou of Jehovah, my daughter: thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
11And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou sayest; for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a worthy woman.
12And now it is true that I am a near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
13Tarry 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 Jehovah liveth: lie down until the morning.
← Ruth 3:9Ruth 3:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said, blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter, etc.] Instead of calling her an immodest woman for laying herself down at his feet, and a bold impudent woman, she being poor, to ask marriage of him; and instead of being angry with her, and chiding and reproving her for disturbing and frightening him in the night, he blesses her, and pray’s to God to bless her, and prosper her in what she had engaged, and in a kind and loving manner calls her his daughter: for thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning; that is, to her husband’s family; she had shown much love to her husband living and dying, and to her mother-in-law, in leaving her country and kindred to…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thou hast shewed more kindness ... - Literally, “Thou hast made thy last kindness better than the first.” Her last kindness was her willingness to accept Boaz for her husband, advanced in years as he was. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Shewed kindness - Both to thy deceased husband, the continuance of whose name and memory thou seekest; and to thy mother - in - law, whose commands thou hast punctually obeyed. Followedst not - To seek thy marriage here, or in thy own country, as thou wouldst have done if thou hadst not preferred obedience to God's command, before pleasing thyself. Ruth 3:13”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:10 You are showing even more family loyalty: Ruth was not obligated to come to Bethlehem with Naomi, nor did she have to marry within Elimelech’s family or provide them with an heir to the land (see 4:5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Blessed: Rut 2:4, Rut 2:20; Co1 13:4, Co1 13:5 at the beginning: Rut 1:8 Ruth 3:11”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Boaz praised her conduct: "Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter (see Rut 2:20); thou hast made thy later love better than the earlier, that thou hast not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. " Ruth's earlier or first love was the love she had shown to her deceased husband and her mother-in-law (comp. Rut 2:11, where Boaz praises this love); the later love she had shown in the fact, that as a young widow she had not sought to win the affections of young men, as young women generally do, that she might have a youthful husband, but had turned trustfully to the older man, that he might find a successor to her deceased husband, through a marriage with him, in accordance with family…”
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Related study paths

Read Ruth 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification