Ruth 3:17 · Bible study
Ruth 3:17 Commentary: Boaz's Gift and the Kinsman-Redeemer
Hebrew · 6 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explores why Boaz sent Ruth home with six measures of barley, connecting provision to his role as redeemer and God's care for the vulnerable.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Boaz provides barley as a sign of his role as kinsman-redeemer, ensuring Naomi is not sent away empty-handed.
- Key words: rēqām (empty) echoes law and prophecy; gā'al (redeem) is implied in the context.
- Main debate: Whether the six measures have allegorical significance (Gill cites Jewish traditions) or are simply a generous literal gift.
- Theological theme: God's provision through human covenant loyalty; the gō'ēl as type of Christ.
- Best use: Preaching on God's care for the vulnerable, or teaching on the book of Ruth as a redemption narrative.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And she said, “He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
WEB World English Bible 2000
She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’”
KJV King James Version 1769
And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And she saith, `These six measures of barley he hath given to me, for he said, Thou dost not go in empty unto thy mother-in-law.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And she said, These six [measures] of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty to thy mother-in-law.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And she said: Behold he hath given me six measures of barley: for he said: I will not have thee return empty to thy mother in law.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y dijo: Estas seis medidas de cebada me dió, diciéndome: Porque no vayas vacía á tu suegra.
E disse: Estas seis medidas de cevada me deu, dizendo-me: Porque não vás vazia à tua sogra.
Elle dit: Il m’ a donné ces six mesures d’ orge, en disant: Tu ne retourneras pas à vide vers ta belle-mère.
und sprach: Diese sechs Maß Gerste gab er mir; denn er sprach: Du sollst nicht leer zu deiner Schwiegermutter kommen.
Ook zeide zij: Deze zes maten gerst heeft hij mij gegeven; want hij zeide tot mij: Kom niet ledig tot uw schoonmoeder.
e aggiunse: “M’ha anche dato queste sei misure d’orzo; perché m’ha detto: “Non devi tornare dalla tua suocera con le mani vuote”.
I rzekła: Oto sześć miarek tego jęczmienia dał mi; bo rzekł do mnie: Nie wrócisz się próżno do świekry twojej.
И сказала [ей]: эти шесть мер ячменя он дал мне и сказал мне: не ходи к свекрови своей с пустыми руками.
又說：「那人給了 我 六 簸箕大麥， 對我說：『你不可 空手 回去 見 你的婆婆。』」
And she said, He gave me these six measures of grain, saying, Do not go back to your mother-in-law with nothing in your hands.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Ruth 3:17
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, with the command that Ruth not return empty-handed to Naomi, is a deliberate act of provision that signals his intentions as kinsman-redeemer. Gill notes that Boaz's words show 'a compassionate concern for her support' and give Ruth assurance of her success. Keil and Delitzsch observe that Naomi interprets the gift as grounds for confident hope: 'the man will not rest until he has settled this today.' Matthew Henry highlights the practicality: the barley meets immediate physical needs while also acting as a pledge of further provision. The quantity, about fifteen gallons, a heavy load (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown), underscores generosity that goes beyond courtesy. While Jewish interpreters like Jarchi and the Targum read the six measures allegorically as six blessings or descendants (cited by Gill), the literal meaning remains clear: Boaz provides a tangible token of his commitment to redeem.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Boaz's gift of six measures of barley is a deliberate provision for Naomi and Ruth, demonstrating his compassion and his intention to fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Significance of six measures | All traditions agree the gift is generous and sufficient for the women's needs. | Some Jewish and Christian interpreters (e.g., Jarchi, Gill) see symbolic meaning, six blessings or six descendants; others read it as a literal, practical provision. |
| Boaz's command not to return empty | Commentators agree it shows his compassionate regard for Naomi and his desire to assure Ruth. | Whether this primarily echoes Deuteronomy 15:13 (legal obligation) or is an expression of personal generosity (Matthew Henry emphasizes the latter). |
| The barley as a pledge | All agree the gift strengthens Ruth's trust and gives Naomi hope. | Whether it functions as a formal legal earnest (Keil) or merely as a generous tip (some earlier commentators). |
| Allegorical vs. literal reading | The story is historically situated in Bethlehem during barley harvest. | Some traditions (notably Targum and medieval Jewish) read the numbers and details as typological; most Protestant and Catholic exegetes focus on the literal narrative and its moral lessons. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Ruth 3 takes place at the threshing floor, a central site for harvest and community life. Barley was a staple grain, less prized than wheat but vital for the poor. Six seahs (Hebrew seah ≈ 2.5 gallons each) formed a substantial load, roughly 35, 40 pounds (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown). Such a gift would sustain Naomi and Ruth for days.
The phrase 'go not empty' carries legal and theological weight. In Deuteronomy 15:13, a master must not send a freed servant away empty; the same word (rēqām) appears here. Boaz's command aligns with the law's demand for generosity toward the vulnerable. It also echoes God's own character: the Lord does not send the needy away without provision (Psalm 68:6, Isaiah 55:11 uses the same term).
The gift functions as a śōbad (collateral or earnest) in ancient Near Eastern custom. By accepting it, Ruth shows that Boaz's proposal is accepted. The threshing floor setting, a place of winnowing, judgment, and revelation, underscores that this is a decisive moment. Boaz's provision confirms he is the gō'ēl (kinsman-redeemer) who can restore Naomi's land and name. For two destitute widows, the barley is more than grain; it is a sign of hope and covenant loyalty.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Ruth 3:17. The Hebrew text is consistent across manuscripts, with the Masoretes supplying a qere/kethiv for the phrase 'he said to me' (adding the preposition 'ēlay for clarity, as noted in Keil and Delitzsch). This does not alter the meaning.
Reception History
Ruth 3:17 has been received in diverse ways. Early Jewish exegesis, as represented by the Targum and Jarchi (cited by Gill), allegorized the six measures as six blessings or six notable descendants (David, Daniel, and the Messiah). This tradition sees in the barley a hidden sign of future greatness. Christian interpreters from the Reformation onward, such as Matthew Henry, focus on the moral example of Boaz's generosity and the practical wisdom of Ruth's report to Naomi. Matthew Henry commends Boaz's discretion and care for Naomi. In the broader church, the verse has been used to illustrate God's provision through human covenant loyalty, and typologically to point to Christ the Redeemer who fills the empty-handed. The phrase 'don't go empty' has also been applied in sermons on charity and the duty of believers to meet tangible needs.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Provision in the present. Boaz meets immediate physical need. The gift is practical, generous, and timely. God often provides through tangible means, food, shelter, relationships.
- A pledge of future redemption. The barley is not a final settlement but a token of greater things to come. Boaz hints at his plan to fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer fully.
- A picture of God's care. The command 'Don't go empty' echoes God's own character (Psalm 68:6, Isaiah 55:11). Through Boaz's compassion, we see the Father who does not abandon the helpless.
Five-point outline
- Generosity that speaks. Six measures, a heavy load, shows Boaz's willingness to go beyond what is expected.
- The weight of gift as assurance. Ruth carries not only barley but a message: Boaz means business.
- Naomi's role as interpreter. She reads the gift as a sign of hope and tells Ruth to wait.
- Echoes of the law. Deuteronomy 15:13 forbids sending a servant away empty. Boaz acts justly toward the vulnerable.
- Typological resonance. Boaz foreshadows Christ, the ultimate Redeemer who does not send us away empty (John 6:37).
Illustration hooks
- A neighbor dropping off groceries for a struggling single mother.
- A small down payment on a house that says, 'I am committed to this.'
- A boss giving a bonus to an employee in crisis, with no strings attached.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did Boaz send barley, not money or a promise?
- Does this gift mean Boaz will definitely marry Ruth?
- How can I be someone who 'does not send others away empty' today?
Leading a Discussion
This verse captures a moment of testing and hope. Ruth returns home with more than barley; she carries evidence that God is at work through Boaz. As a small group, explore how tangible acts of kindness can become signs of God's larger redemption.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What exactly does Ruth say Boaz gave her, and what did he say about Naomi?
- Interpretation: Why do you think Boaz emphasized not sending Naomi empty? What does this reveal about his character?
- Connection: How does this gift relate to the role of a kinsman-redeemer (gō'ēl) as described in Leviticus 25:25-28 and Deuteronomy 25:5-6?
- Application: Have you ever received a gift that felt like a pledge of something greater? What did it mean to you?
- Community: How can we as a small group provide tangible help to someone who is 'empty' in our own context?
- Faith: Naomi tells Ruth to 'wait' (verse 18). How do you discern when an act of provision is a sign to act or to trust?
- Gospel: In what ways does Boaz's gift point to Jesus, the Redeemer who 'did not come empty' for us?
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.
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And said, These sixe measures of barly gaue he me: for he sayd to me, Thou shalt not come emptie vnto thy mother in lawe.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill reports that Jewish interpreters saw the six measures of barley as foreshadowing six spiritual blessings or six notable descendants including David and the Messiah. Beyond this allegory, he notes the gift itself proved Boaz's favor and ensured that Ruth would not return empty-handed to Naomi.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the Hebrew text specifies "six seahs" of barley, each seah holding about two and a half gallons. This detail highlights that Ruth carried a surprisingly heavy load home, a burden that would have been arduous for any woman.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch emphasize that Naomi’s question to Ruth probes what she has accomplished, not just her identity. From the report, Naomi gains immediate confidence and tells Ruth to stay home quietly, convinced that Boaz will not rest until the matter is settled that very day.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange reads Ruth's request for Boaz to spread his “wings” over her as a symbolic claim of the right of redemption, using the same protective imagery she earlier sought under God's wings. He sees Boaz's response as an active faith that holds firm both in public and in the solitary hour of temptation.
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.