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Ruth 3:8

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Ruth 3:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
Ruth 3:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Ruth 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And she said unto her, All that thou sayest I will do.
6And she went down unto the threshing-floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her.
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.
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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 it came to pass at midnight, etc.] So long Boaz slept without knowledge of any person being at his feet, and so long Ruth had lain there; but awaking, and perceiving something at his feet, which pressed them, it made him look about and feel, and so affected him, that the man was afraid; though a man, and a man of spirit, he was afraid, a panic seized him, not knowing but it might be a spectre, a spirit, or a demon, as Jarchi; and such an instance we have in history f58 of an apparition, which seemed to put off clothes, and place itself in a bed where a man lay, etc. and turned himself; to see who it was: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet; which he knew by putting his hand upon her…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Turned himself - Rather, “bent forward,” so as to feel what it was which was at his feet. The same word is translated “took hold of,” in Judges 16:29. 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
“At midnight - He did not discover her sooner. Ruth 3:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:8 He was surprised (literally He was terrified): Boaz knew that a woman lay at his feet, but he did not know who she was or why she was there.”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“About midnight the man was startled, namely, because on awaking he observed that there was some one lying at his feet; and he "bent himself" forward, or on one side, to feel who was lying there, "and behold a woman was lying at his feet." מרגּלתיו is accus. loci. Ruth 3:9”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification