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Ruth 3:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Ruth 3:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 — American Standard Version

Context — Ruth 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
14And 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.
15And 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.
16And 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.
17And she said, These six [measures] of barley gave he me; for he said, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.
18Then 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.
← Ruth 3:15Ruth 3:17 →
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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 when she came to her mother in law, etc.] To Naomi, in Bethlehem: she said, who art thou, my daughter? it being near dusk, she could not discern her, or perhaps she put the question before she opened the door and saw her; though one would think, if Ruth had called to her, she would have known her voice: rather therefore the particle may be rendered, “what” or “how” f67, instead of “who”; and the sense be, what had befallen her? what success had she had? how had things gone with her? was she married or not? or rather, had she got a promise of it? or was it likely that she should be married? with which the answer agrees: and she told her all that the man had done to her; what kindness he…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who art thou, my daughter? - In the dim twilight Ruth 3:14 her mother was not sure at first who the young woman was, who sought admittance into the house. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Ruth 3". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/ruth-3.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
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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
“Who art thou? - This is not a question of doubting, but of wonder, as if she had said, Art thou in very deed my daughter? I can hardly believe it. How camest thou hither in this manner, and thus early? Next: Ruth Chapter 4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Who art thou: Or, as the Vulgate renders, Quid egisti filiȧ "What hast thou done, my daughter?" Rut 3:16 Ruth 3:18”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“When Ruth returned home, her mother-in-law asked her, "Who art thou?" i.e., as what person, in what circumstances dost thou come? The real meaning is, What hast thou accomplished? Whereupon she related all that the man had done (cf. Rut 3:10-14), and that he had given her six measures of barley for her mother. The Masorites have supplied אלי after אמר, as at Rut 3:5, but without any necessity. The mother-in-law drew from this the hope that Boaz would now certainly carry out the matter to the desired end. "Sit still," i.e., remain quietly at home (see Gen 38:11), "till thou hearest how the affair turn out," namely, whether the nearer redeemer mentioned by Boaz, or Boaz himself, would grant…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification