OET interlinear RUTH 3:9

3:9a

“Who are you?” he asked: As in previous verses, you may want to put the quote introducer at the beginning. For example:

He asked, “Who are you?” (CJB)

3:9b

“I am your servant Ruth,” she replied: Again, the BSB has placed the words she replied after the quoted words of Ruth. In most languages, it is more natural to put this quote introducer at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. (ESV)

your servant: When Ruth referred to herself as your servant, she spoke in a figurative way. She did not literally mean that she was his slave or servant.3:9 + Many commentators discuss here the slight difference in meaning between these two Hebrew words for a female servant. Both terms could be used by a woman to address someone with respect. But the word used here implies a slightly higher social status than the one used in 2:13 and it can imply that Ruth was available to Boaz as a wife or concubine. Ruth used this figure of speech to indicate her respect and humility to someone who had higher status than herself.

There are two options to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the literal meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

  I am Ruth, your servant girl (NCV)

• Use a term of respect that expresses the meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

  Sir, I am Ruth (CEV)

  My lord, it is I, Ruth

3:9c–d

3:9c

Spread the corner of your garment over me: This clause is a Hebrew idiom with a double meaning. The figurative meaning of the idiom is “marry me” or “take me as your wife.” However, the literal meaning (expressed in the BSB) also fits this context. (See the note and footnote under corner of your garment below.) With this statement, Ruth was asking for two things. She wanted Boaz to take her as his wife, and she also wanted him to cover her up from the cold night air.

Here are some options to translate this idiom:

• Translate the literal meaning and put the figurative meaning in a footnote. For example:

  So spread the edge of your cover over me. (CEV)

  FOOTNOTE: In Hebrew, these words have another meaning, which is, “Look after me as your wife.”

• Translate the figurative meaning and put the literal meaning in a footnote. For example:

  Please marry me.

  FOOTNOTE: In Hebrew she said, “Cover me with the edge of your robe/blanket.” But these words have another meaning which is, “Look after me as your wife.”

• Use a short clause that expresses both the literal and figurative meaning. For example:

  Spread the edge of your robe over me to show that you will marry me.

Translate this clause in a natural and meaningful way in your language.

Spread…over me: This means “cover me with” or “stretch out over me.”

the corner of your garment: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as the corner of your garment refers to the “edge,” “boundary,” or “corner” of a blanket, covering, or item of clothing. This Hebrew word has a double meaning which is important in this context. It can also refer to the “wings” of a bird or animal. This was a figure of speech that referred to care and protection, like a young bird seeking protection under the “wings” of its mother.With this meaning, the whole idiom would be expressed literally as, “Spread your wings over me” (similarly as ESV). In 2:12b Boaz spoke to Ruth with a similar figure of speech, “under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” There, the Lord’s “wings” were a figurative reference to his care and protection for Ruth in a lasting relationship. Here Ruth was asking Boaz for care and protection in a lasting relationship of marriage. In ancient Hebrew culture, when one spoke of a man covering a woman with his “wings” (or edge of his robe), it meant that he was promising to take her into his protection and care as a wife (Block, page 180, and Bush, pages 164–165). See also Ezekiel 16:8.

me: In Hebrew, Ruth spoke of herself to Boaz here as “your servant.” She did not use the pronoun me. This is the same word for “servant” that she used to refer to herself in 3:9b. See the note there. In both places, she used this word as a figure of speech to show humility and respect to Boaz.

If referring to yourself as someone’s “servant” is a natural or possible way in your language to show respect, consider saying it that way here. For example:

Spread out your robe over your servant. (CEB)

If your audience would assume that Ruth meant that she was a literal servant to Boaz, you should follow the BSB and some other translations by using the pronoun me.

3:9d

for: The Hebrew conjunction which the BSB translates as for means “because.” Here it introduces a basis or reason for the request that Ruth made to Boaz in 9c. If you are reordering 9c–d as described in the General Comment above, it may not be necessary to include an explicit translation of this conjunction.

you are a kinsman-redeemer: See the notes on 2:20d. The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as kinsman-redeemer refers to someone who was responsible to defend and protect the rights of needy relatives, including widows. Ruth reminded Boaz that this was his duty because he was a close relative of her dead husband.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

you are the relative who is supposed to take care of me (CEV)

one of those who have responsibility to care for our family

Because you are a close relative, you are responsible for taking care of me. So please marry me. (GNT)

you have a duty to help/protect our^(excl) family

See how you translated this word in 2:20d and use a similar expression here.