Ruth 3:2

“And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? etc.] He was, and her question supposes and concludes it, and which she observes, that Ruth might take notice of it, and encouragement from it; and the rather, since she had been admitted into the company and conversation of his maidens; and which was more, though not mentioned, into the company and conversation of himself, and whom Ruth knew full well; and who being, Naomi thought, the next nearest kinsman, and obliged by the law in (<052505>Deuteronomy 25:5) to marry Ruth, with which view his relation is mentioned: behold, he winnoweth barley tonight in the threshingfloor; which afforded a fit opportunity of meeting with…”

“Behold, he winnoweth barley ... - The simple manners of Boaz and his times are here before us. This “mighty man of wealth” assists personally in the winnowing of his barley, which lies in a great heap on the floor Ruth 3:15, and sleeps in the open threshing-floor to protect his grain from depredation. Tonight - For the sake of the breeze which springs up at sunset, and greatly facilitates the “cleansing” (separation) of the grain tossed up across the wind. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Threshing - floor - Which was in a place covered at the top, but open elsewhere, whither Ruth might easily come. And this work of winnowing corn was usually ended with a feast. Ruth 3:3”

“3:2 As a close relative, Boaz might act as a redeemer for Ruth and Naomi (see study notes on 2:20; 3:9). • The threshing floor was a flat surface of stone or hardened earth. The farmer spread sheaves of grain over its surface and beat them to separate the grain from the straw. Then the farmer would begin winnowing by throwing the mixed straw and grain into the air with a wooden fork or shovel. The breeze carried the lighter straw and chaff downwind, while the heavier grains fell to the threshing floor.”

“is not Boaz: Rut 2:20-23; Deu 25:5, Deu 25:6; Heb 2:11-14 with whose: Rut 2:8, Rut 2:23 he winnoweth: It is probable that the winnowing of grain was effected by taking up a portion of the corn in a sieve, and letting it down slowly in the wind; thus the grain would, by its own weight, fall in one place, while the chaff, etc., would be carried a distance by the wind. It is said here that this was done at night; probably what was threshed out in the day was winnowed in the evening, when the sea breeze set in, which was common in Palestine. Ruth 3:3”