Ruth 3:14 · Bible study
Ruth 3:14 Commentary: Protecting a Good Name
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why Boaz insisted on secrecy after Ruth's threshing-floor visit and what it reveals about honor, prudence, and legal fairness.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Boaz protects Ruth's honor and the legal process by insisting on secrecy about her visit.
- Key words: 'al (let not), yivvada (be known), a wish/precaution; ish (anyone) and re'a (neighbor) emphasize recognition.
- Main debate: Whether Boaz spoke to Ruth, to himself, or to his workers.
- Theological theme: Shielding the vulnerable and acting with wisdom as part of faithful living.
- Best use: A model of cautious care in relationships and community life.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
So she lay down at his feet until morning, but she got up before anyone else could recognize her. Then Boaz said, “Do not let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
She lay at his feet until the morning, then she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
KJV King James Version 1769
And 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And 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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And she lieth down at his feet till the morning, and riseth before one doth discern another; and he saith, `Let it not be known that the woman hath come into the floor.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And 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 threshing-floor.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
So she slept at his feet till the night was going off. And she arose before men could know one another, and Booz said: Beware lest any man know that thou camest hither.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y después que reposó á sus pies hasta la mañana, levantóse, antes que nadie pudiese conocer á otro. Y él dijo: No se sepa que haya venido mujer á la era.
E depois que repousou a seus pés até a manhã, levantou-se, antes que ninguém pudesse conhecer a outro. E ele disse: Não se saiba que tenha vindo mulher à eira.
Elle resta couchée à ses pieds jusqu’ au matin, et elle se leva avant qu’ on pût se reconnaître l’ un l’ autre. Boaz dit: Qu’ on ne sache pas qu’ une femme est entrée dans l’ aire.
Und sie schlief bis zum Morgen zu seinen Füßen. Und sie stand auf, ehe denn einer den andern erkennen konnte; und er gedachte, daß nur niemand innewerde, daß das Weib in die Tenne gekommen sei.
Alzo lag zij neder aan zijn voetdeksel tot den morgen toe; en zij stond op, eer dat de een den ander kennen kon; want hij zeide: Het worde niet bekend, dat een vrouw op den dorsvloer gekomen is.
Ed ella rimase coricata ai suoi piedi fino alla mattina; poi si alzò, prima che due si potessero riconoscere l’un l’altro; giacché Boaz avea detto: “Nessuno sappia che questa donna e venuta nell’aia!”
A tak spała u nóg jego aż do poranku, a wstała przedtem niż mógł rozeznać jeden drugiego; bo rzekł Booz: Niech nikt nie wie, że przyszła ta niewiasta na bojewisko.
И спала она у ног его до утра и встала прежде, нежели могли они распознать друг друга. И сказал Вооз: пусть не знают, что женщина приходила на гумно.
路得便在他腳下 躺 到 天快亮，人 彼此 不能 辨認 的時候就起來了。波阿斯說：「不可 使人知道 有女子 到 場上來」；
And she took her rest at his feet till the morning: and she got up before it was light enough for one to see another. And he said, Let it not come to anyone's knowledge that the woman came to the grain-floor.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Ruth 3:14
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that Boaz's insistence on secrecy in this verse is driven by concern for reputation and the integrity of the legal process. Matthew Henry notes that Boaz took care to preserve 'not only his conscience towards God, but his reputation, and hers also, among men.' Wesley echoes this: 'He takes care to preserve not only his conscience towards God, but his reputation, and hers also, among men.' Gill adds a practical layer: Boaz wanted to prevent scandal that might arise from people assuming the worst, and also to avoid hindering the nearer kinsman from acting, since that kinsman might refuse if he heard Ruth had been alone with Boaz. The consensus is that Boaz acted honorably, protecting Ruth's good name while still moving forward with the legal duty of redemption.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Boaz acted to protect Ruth's and his own reputation and to avoid prejudicing the legal process of redemption.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Recipient of Boaz's command | Boaz is the speaker; it is a command or wish to keep the visit quiet. | Some think he spoke to Ruth (Gill suggests he called to her), others that he said it to himself as a prayer (Matthew Henry mentions this), and the Targum suggests he charged his young men. |
| Motivation for secrecy | To avoid scandal and protect reputations. | Some emphasize protecting the legal process (Gill: the nearer kinsman might refuse), while others focus on guarding against false accusations (Wesley, Matthew Henry). |
| Propriety of the visit | Both Boaz and Ruth acted with pure motives and no impropriety. | Some early readers (e.g. Poole) saw the situation as risky and potentially scandalous; others (Keil & Delitzsch) saw it as fully in line with custom and Ruth's character. |
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, the threshing floor was a communal work site where grain was separated from chaff. During harvest, men often slept there to guard the crop (Ruth 3:7). A woman appearing at the threshing floor at night would have been deeply unusual and could invite gossip and suspicion. Bethlehem was a small town; any hint of impropriety would travel fast. Boaz and Ruth were both aware of how their actions might be perceived, even if their intentions were pure.
The legal backdrop is the institution of the go'el (kinsman-redeemer). A closer relative than Boaz had the first right to marry Ruth and redeem the family property (Ruth 3:12-13). If word got out that Ruth had spent the night with Boaz, the nearer kinsman might refuse to act, either because he assumed Boaz had already taken her or because he wanted to avoid a messy situation. Boaz's caution ensured that the legal process remained transparent and pressure-free.
Verse 14 shows Ruth rising 'before one could discern another', before dawn, when shapes were still indistinct. This timing minimized the chance of being recognized. Boaz's command 'Let it not be known' (Hebrew 'al yivvada) is a wish or precaution. It reflects not shame over what happened, but wisdom in a world where perception often shapes reality.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Ruth 3:14. The Masoretic Text is stable. Some manuscripts show minor differences in pronominal suffixes (e.g., va/tavo vs. va/tavo'), but these do not affect meaning. The verse is consistent across Hebrew witnesses and ancient translations.
Reception History
In early Jewish interpretation, the Midrash Ruth highlights Boaz's prayer that the matter remain secret so that God's name not be blasphemed. Christian commentators from the Reformation onward, Matthew Henry, Wesley, Gill, consistently read this verse as a model of prudence and care for reputation. Henry contrasts Ruth's willingness to be seen as a gleaner with her concern not to be seen as a 'night-walker,' underscoring the value she placed on virtue. The verse has been used in pastoral teaching on guarding one's good name and avoiding the appearance of evil, often paired with 1 Thessalonians 5:22.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The setting of vulnerability. Ruth sleeps at Boaz's feet, obedient to Naomi's plan. The night hours are fraught with risk, both physical and reputational.
- The prudence of Boaz. He insists on early departure and secrecy. His actions show that righteousness requires not only a clear conscience but also a wise regard for how others see us.
- The honor in secrecy. Secrecy here is not about hiding sin but about protecting the innocent. Boaz shields Ruth from gossip and preserves the legal path for redemption.
Five-point outline
- Ruth's obedience and courage (v.14a)
- The timing of her departure (v.14b)
- Boaz's command (v.14c)
- The gift of barley (v.15)
- Naomi's faith that Boaz will act (vv.16-18)
Illustration hooks
- A businesswoman leaves a late meeting first, careful not to be seen alone with a male colleague, not because anything wrong happened, but because she knows how appearances can be twisted.
- A couple engaged in foster care chooses not to post about the process on social media until it is finalized, protecting the child and the family from premature opinions.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Did Boaz and Ruth do something wrong? Why all the secrecy if they were innocent?
- How can we protect others' reputations without being dishonest?
- When is it wise to keep a good deed private rather than publicize it?
Leading a Discussion
This verse shows a moment of both vulnerability and careful wisdom. Ruth has followed Naomi's plan, and Boaz has responded honorably. But the night is not over until morning, and secrecy becomes necessary. As you discuss, consider how the characters balance integrity with the need to be above reproach.
Discussion questions
- What words or actions in this verse show that Boaz and Ruth are acting honorably?
- Why do you think Boaz says 'Let it not be known that a woman came to the threshing floor'? What might happen if it became known?
- What does this story teach about the relationship between a pure conscience and a good reputation?
- In what situations today should Christians be especially careful about appearances, even when motives are pure?
- How does Boaz's concern for secrecy connect with the wider biblical theme of protecting the vulnerable?
- Read Romans 12:17 and 2 Corinthians 8:21. How do these verses inform Boaz's actions?
- What can we learn from Boaz about leadership and protecting those under our care?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Ecclesiastes 7:1 | A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one’s birth. |
| Romans 12:17 | Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. |
| Romans 14:16 | Then don’t let your good be slandered, |
| I Corinthians 10:32 | Give no occasion for stumbling, whether to Jews, to Greeks, or to the assembly of God; |
| II Corinthians 8:21 | Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. |
| I Thessalonians 5:22 | Abstain from every form of evil. |
| I Peter 2:12 | having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God in the day of visitation. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator observes that the phrase "he said" here means he thought to himself, an internal reflection rather than spoken words. A similar use appears in the book of Ruth. The point highlights that this private thought demonstrated both consideration and good sense.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note emphasizes the careful discretion of both Ruth and Boaz. She lay at his feet until morning yet rose while it was still too dark to be recognized. Boaz insisted no one should know a woman had come to the threshing floor, guarding both their reputations from scandal.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Boaz's instruction to keep Ruth's presence secret may have been directed to her, to his servants, or even offered as a silent prayer. The key point is protecting their reputations from scandal, which could hinder the nearer kinsman or bring reproach on God's name.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch clarifies that the "later love" Boaz praises is Ruth's decision not to pursue young men but to trustfully seek marriage with an older redeemer according to family custom. Boaz saw nothing improper in her coming to him and promised to marry her if the nearer redeemer declined.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights Ruth’s request to Boaz to spread his wings over her as a symbolic claim to the legal right of redemption. The covering wing, echoing God’s protection in the psalms, represents the husband’s care. He also interprets the six measures of barley as a hint that the time of labor is ending and rest is near.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that Ruth was not ashamed of being known as a poor gleaner, but she guarded her reputation carefully by leaving before daylight so no one would see her as a night-walker. Her virtue was her greatest honor, and Boaz wisely urged secrecy to prevent unfounded suspicions.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley points out that this person is careful to preserve not only his own conscience toward God but also his reputation among people. He extends that same care to protect her reputation as well, showing concern for both spiritual integrity and public honor.