Ruth 3:15 · Bible study
Ruth 3:15 Commentary: The Generous Gift of a Redeemer
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why Boaz gave Ruth six measures of barley and what it means for his commitment to redeem her, with analysis of the original language and cultural context.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Boaz's generous act of provision as a sign of his commitment to redeem Ruth and support Naomi.
- Key words: mitpachat (mantle/shawl), barley, six (measures), the verb ‘to measure’ (madad).
- Main debate: The exact volume of the six measures (seah vs. omer) and whether the text says “he went” or “she went” into the city.
- Theological theme: The kinsman-redeemer provides abundantly, reversing emptiness and securing the family's future.
- Best use: A model of tangible love and fidelity; a type of Christ's provision for his people.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And he told her, “Bring the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he shoveled six measures of barley into her shawl. Then he went into the city.
WEB World English Bible 2000
He said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” She held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; then he went into the city.
KJV King James Version 1769
Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And 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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And he saith, `Give the covering which is on thee, and keep hold on it;' and she keepeth hold on it, and he measureth six measures of barley, and layeth it on her; and he goeth into the city.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And he said, Bring the cloak that thou hast 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.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And again he said: Spread thy mantle, wherewith thou art covered, and hold it with both hands. And when she spread it and held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it upon her. And she carried it, and went into the city,
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Después le dijo: Llega el lienzo que traes sobre ti, y ten de él. Y teniéndolo ella, él midió seis medidas de cebada, y púsoselas á cuestas: y vínose ella á la ciudad.
Depois lhe disse: Aproxima o lenço que trazes sobre ti, e segura-o. E enquanto ela o segurava, ele mediu seis medidas de cevada, e as pôs às costas: e veio ela à cidade.
Et il ajouta: Donne le manteau qui est sur toi, et tiens-le. Elle le tint, et il mesura six mesures d’ orge, qu’ il chargea sur elle. Puis il rentra dans la ville.
Und sprach: Lange her den Mantel, den du anhast, und halt ihn. Und sie hielt ihn. Und er maß sechs Maß Gerste und legte es auf sie. Und er kam in die Stadt.
Voorts zeide hij: Lang den sluier, die op u is, en houd dien; en zij hield hem; en hij mat zes maten gerst, en legde ze op haar; daarna ging hij in de stad.
Poi aggiunse: “Porta qua il mantello che hai addosso, e tienlo con ambe le mani”. Ella lo tenne su, ed egli vi misuro dentro sei misure d’orzo, e glielo mise in ispalla; poi se ne venne in città.
Nadto rzekł: Daj płachtę, którą masz na sobie, a trzymaj ją; a gdy ją trzymała, namierzył jej sześć miarek jęczmienia, i założył na nię, i weszła do miasta.
И сказал ей: подай верхнюю одежду, которая на тебе, подержи ее. Она держала, и он отмерил [ей] шесть мер ячменя, и положил на нее, и пошел в город.
又對路得說：「 打開 你 所 披的外衣。」她打開了，波阿斯就撮了 六 簸箕大麥，幫她 扛 在肩上，她便進 城去了。
And he said, Take your robe, stretching it out in your hands: and she did so, and he took six measures of grain and put them into it, and gave it her to take: and she went back to the town.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Ruth 3:15
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Boaz's gift of six measures of barley was both a generous provision and a tangible expression of his commitment to redeem Ruth and support Naomi. As Keil and Delitzsch note, the gift ensured that Ruth did not return 'empty' to her mother-in-law, reversing the emptiness Naomi lamented in Ruth 1:21. The exact volume of the measures remains uncertain; some (Targum, Barnes) suggest six seahs (two ephahs), which would have been too heavy for a woman to carry naturally, while others (Gill, Cambridge Bible) favor six omers as more feasible. Either way, the gift is substantial. The mantle (mitpachat), described as a large cloak or shawl (Clarke, Keil & Delitzsch), served as a makeshift sack. Boaz's act of measuring and laying the barley on her shows personal care. The Targum even reads the number six prophetically, linking it to six righteous figures from David to the Messiah. Underneath the scholarly discussion lies firm agreement: Boaz is acting generously and decisively as a kinsman-redeemer.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal provision: Boaz simply gives a generous gift for Naomi's immediate need (Barnes, Gill).
- Symbolic/messianic: The six measures foretell the six righteous men culminating in Messiah (Targum, cited by Clarke).
- Betrothal token: The gift functions as a bridal payment or legal gesture, sealing Boaz's intent to marry (some modern readings).
What is clear: Boaz's act demonstrates his commitment to care for Ruth and Naomi and to fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Size of the six measures | The gift is generous and substantial. | Some (Targum, Barnes) hold it was six seahs (about 2 ephahs), which would be impossibly heavy; others (Gill, Cambridge Bible) suggest six omers (a lighter, more portable load). |
| Subject of the verb ‘went’ | The verse records movement toward the city after the gift is given. | Most commentators (Keil, Gill) read the Hebrew as ‘he went’ (Boaz), but some manuscripts and translations read ‘she went’ (Ruth). |
| Symbolic meaning of the number six | The specific number invites reflection on its significance. | The Targum sees six as prophetic of six righteous figures culminating in Messiah; other readings treat it as simply a generous quantity. |
| Purpose of the gift | The gift provides for Ruth and Naomi. | Some view it as a simple provision; others see it as a legal token or betrothal gift signaling Boaz's intent to marry. |
| The mantle (mitpachat) | It was a large outer garment used as a container. | Descriptions range from a ‘vail’ (AV) to a ‘shawl’ (WEB) to a ‘sheet’ (Geneva); the exact style is uncertain. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The threshing floor was a social and economic center during harvest. Boaz, as landowner, slept near his grain both to protect it and to tend the winnowing. When Ruth approached at night, she placed herself under the symbolic wing of Yahweh through Boaz (Ruth 3:9, using the word 'wings'). The gift of barley is not merely a random present, it is a legal token of his intention to act as go'el, the kinsman-redeemer.
In Israelite society, betrothal involved a bride-price paid to the bride's family. Here, Boaz gives grain directly to Ruth and, through her, to Naomi. The six measures likely represent a significant portion of his harvest. The Targum and rabbis saw the number as symbolic of six righteous men (David, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and the Messiah), but the plain sense points to immediate provision. The early morning timing (v.14) shows Boaz's discretion; he protects Ruth's reputation while fulfilling his duty.
The mantle (mitpachat), also mentioned in Isaiah 3:22, was a large outer wrap worn over ordinary clothing. By having Ruth hold it open, Boaz filled it like a sack. Women of that era commonly carried heavy loads on their heads or shoulders. Gill notes that Boaz likely helped her lift the burden onto her shoulder. The whole scene conveys a careful, honorable man providing for a vulnerable woman.
Textual Notes
The Masoretic Text reads “and he went into the city” (vayavo ha’ir, masculine singular, pointing to Boaz). A small number of Hebrew manuscripts and some ancient versions (Septuagint, Syriac) read “and she went,” likely a scribal adjustment to harmonize with Ruth's return to Naomi. Most commentators (Gill, Keil and Delitzsch) accept the MT reading as original, noting that the flow of the narrative places Boaz in the city gate in chapter 4:1. The consulted sources note no other significant textual variants for this verse.
Reception History
The Targum of Ruth (an Aramaic paraphrase) already reads the six measures prophetically, pointing to six righteous persons: David, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and the King Messiah. Some church fathers allegorized the barley as the Old Testament and the six measures as the days of creation or the ages of the world. Medieval Jewish commentators like Rashi linked the gift to the redemption of the land and lineage. Reformation-era Protestants (Luther, Calvin, Matthew Henry) focused on Boaz's integrity and generosity as a model of godly love. Puritan preaching used the verse to illustrate the believer's security in Christ, who gives more than asked. Across traditions, the act has been seen as a picture of God's provision through a faithful human agent.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Generosity as the signature of commitment. Boaz does not just promise to act; he gives immediately and generously. His gift is a down payment on his word.
- Reversing emptiness. Earlier, Naomi said she went out full and returned empty (Ruth 1:21). Now Ruth carries six measures of barley home, a tangible sign that God is filling what was empty.
- Small details carry weight. The six measures, the mantle, the morning departure, every element shows deliberate care. God works through ordinary acts of kindness.
Five-point outline
- Boaz's practical love: he gives what he has.
- The mantle of trust: Ruth holds open her cloak, a gesture of vulnerability and faith.
- Six measures of hope: the specific number invites reflection on God's provision.
- The journey to the city: Ruth carries the promise into the community.
- A mother-in-law who waits: Naomi receives the gift and recognizes its meaning.
Illustration hooks
- A farmer giving a generous first installment of the purchase price before the contract is signed.
- A parent sending a care package with a grown child, saying “this is just the start.”
- A friend offering practical help, groceries, a ride, a check, before a difficult conversation even begins.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why six measures? Is there a symbolic meaning, or is it just a generous amount?
- Did Ruth have to struggle to carry the load? What does that teach about accepting help?
- How does this gift foreshadow Christ's provision for us?
Leading a Discussion
This short verse captures a turning point in Ruth's story. After a night of risk and hope, Ruth leaves the threshing floor carrying more than barley, she carries Boaz's promise. Discuss what this gift communicates about character, faith, and God's providence.
Discussion questions
- What do you notice about the way Boaz gives the barley, the commands, the actions, the amount?
- Why do you think Boaz sends a gift with Ruth rather than giving it directly to Naomi later?
- The Hebrew text says “he went into the city,” while many English translations say “she went.” Why does that detail matter?
- How does this gift connect to the theme of ‘emptiness’ in Ruth 1:21?
- What does the mantle (mitpachat) tell us about Ruth's social position and her trust in Boaz?
- If you were Ruth, carrying that heavy load home, what would you be thinking and feeling?
- How can we show commitment to others through tangible acts of provision and 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)
| Isaiah 32:8 | But the noble devises noble things, and he will continue in noble things. |
| Galatians 6:10 | So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith. |
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
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights the Targum's symbolic reading, where the six measures of barley represent six future righteous figures: David, Daniel, his three companions, and the King Messiah, each blessed with six benedictions. He notes that this interpretation traces the Messiah through David's line and connects to Daniel's clear prophecy of the Messiah's coming and sacrificial death.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes clarifies that the "vail" is a loose cloak, not the veil mentioned elsewhere, and that the six measures (two ephahs) made a heavy load meant to be carried on the head. He also notes that the original Hebrew says "he went into the city," referring to Boaz, not Ruth, a detail the verse's English rendering obscures.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes the gift of barley is likely six omers, a manageable load, not the heavier six seahs. This gift was given to Naomi, reinforcing her role as Ruth's parent who must approve the marriage. A Babylonian tablet shows a similar custom of approaching the widowed mother.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Also he sayd, Bring the sheete that thou hast vpon thee, and holde it. And when she helde it, he measured sixe measures of barly, and layde them on her, and she went into the citie.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill focuses on the practical details: the veil was likely a head covering or apron, and the six measures were probably six omers, a manageable load for a woman. He also notes the Hebrew verb is masculine, suggesting Boaz himself accompanied Ruth into Bethlehem rather than sending her alone.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that Eastern veils were large sheets, not small headscarves. Wealthy women wore red silk, while poorer women used blue or striped linen. The veil was wrapped to hide the entire face except one eye, which explains how Ruth could hold out such a large cloth to receive the barley.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch note that the garment Ruth held open was a large outer cloak, making it practical for receiving grain. They argue the six measures could not have been two ephahs, as some rabbis claimed, since Ruth could not have carried that weight. They also affirm the Hebrew reading that Boaz, not Ruth, went into the city.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange draws attention to the symbolic language in Ruth's request to Boaz: "spread thy wings over thine handmaid." He explains that this act, rooted in ancient custom, uses the Hebrew word for wings to represent marriage protection, echoing how God shelters Israel under His wings.
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.