Ruth 3:2
Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Naomi highlights Boaz's active role in his harvest, mentioning he's "winnowing barley tonight." This isn't just about separating grain; it signifies he's personally involved and working late, creating a specific, opportune moment for Ruth to approach him.
Naomi, seeing Ruth's devotion and wanting her to find security, hatches a bold plan. She reminds Ruth that Boaz, a relative who has already shown them kindness, is currently winnowing barley at the threshing floor that evening. This work, often done at night to take advantage of cooler breezes for separating grain from chaff, presents a strategic opportunity for Ruth to approach him.
Naomi's suggestion to Ruth is sudden and specific. What makes Boaz the right man, and why is this particular night the perfect opportunity?
Naomi's plan hinges on two key elements: Boaz's identity and the timing.
Boaz: The Right Relative
Naomi reminds Ruth that Boaz is their kinsman. This isn't just any relationship; in ancient Israel, a 'kinsman' (or 'goel') had specific responsibilities, including the potential to marry a widow to preserve her deceased husband's family line and name. Boaz had already shown kindness to Ruth (in Ruth 2), demonstrating a potential willingness to fulfill this role. His position as a respected, wealthy man ('mighty man of wealth,' as described in commentaries) also made him a desirable 'rest' for Ruth's future.
Tonight: The Threshing Floor Opportunity
Winnowing barley was a crucial harvest task. It involved separating the grain from the chaff, usually done in the evening when a cooler breeze would help carry the lighter chaff away. This process often happened outdoors, away from the main village. Naomi identifies this specific time and place – Boaz working late at night on the threshing floor – as a unique window of opportunity. It was a time when Boaz might be more relaxed, perhaps even alone, and less guarded, making it possible for Ruth to approach him according to Naomi's strategy.
Winnowing barley wasn't just farm work; it was tied to community, celebration, and even potential feasting. What does this reveal about the setting of Naomi's plan?
The act of winnowing barley at this time carried significant cultural weight beyond the practical task of grain separation.
A Time of Celebration and Community
Commentaries suggest that the completion of threshing and winnowing often concluded with a feast or celebration for the workers. This implies a sense of accomplishment and community gathering around the harvest. Boaz, a leader, was present, overseeing and participating in this vital work, demonstrating his engagement with his people and his harvest.
Understand the original words
muda' · Hebrew Noun
In the Old Testament, a relative or kinsman (goel) refers to a close family member who has the right and responsibility to redeem, protect, or assist their relatives in times of need, such as poverty, slavery, or the loss of family land/lineage.
goren · Hebrew Noun
The threshing floor was a flat, open area, often on high ground, where harvested grain was beaten to separate the edible grain from the chaff. It functioned as a significant community space in ancient Israelite agriculture, often associated with labor, provision, and sometimes divine judgment.
c. 13th-11th century BC
Period of the Judges
The Book of Ruth is set during this era in Israel's history, a time characterized by tribal governance, periods of oppression, and the leadership of judges.
c. 11th century BC
Elimelech's family moves to Moab
Due to famine in Bethlehem, Elimelech, Naomi's husband, takes his family to live in Moab, settling there for about ten years.
c. 11th century BC
Deaths of Elimelech and his sons
Elimelech dies in Moab, followed by his sons Mahlon and Chilion, who marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth.
c. 11th century BC
Naomi returns to Bethlehem
After hearing the famine has ended, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem. Her widowed daughter-in-law Orpah stays in Moab, but Ruth insists on accompanying Naomi.
c. 11th century BC
Ruth gleans in Boaz's field
Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Ruth goes to glean in the fields to support herself and Naomi, and happens upon the field of Boaz, a relative of Elimelech.
This passage lays out the legal and social framework for the 'kinsman-redeemer' role, which is central to Boaz's actions and Naomi's plans for Ruth.
Ruth 2:8-9This earlier interaction highlights Boaz's protective kindness towards Ruth and hints at his potential suitability as a kinsman, setting the stage for Naomi's strategy.
Ruth 4:13-17This section shows the fulfillment of Naomi's hopes, with Boaz acting as kinsman-redeemer and providing for Ruth, demonstrating God's provision and blessing.
Galatians 3:28While Boaz is fulfilling a specific cultural role, this verse speaks to the deeper reality in Christ where social distinctions are overcome, offering a spiritual parallel to inclusivity.
clarkeRuth 3:2: "And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor."
He winnoweth barley tonight - It is very likely that the winnowing of grain was effected by taking up, in a broad thin vessel or sieve, a portion of the corn, and letting it down slowly in the wind; thus the grain would, by its own weight, fall in one place, while the chaff, etc., would be carried to a distance by the wind. It is said here that this was done…
henryRuth 3:1-5: "Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?"
3:1-5 The married state should be a rest, as much as any thing upon earth can be so, as it ought to fix the affections and form a connexion for life. Therefore it should be engaged in with great seriousness, with earnest prayers for direction, for the blessing of God, and with regard to his precepts. Parents should carefully advise their children in this importan…
Naomi highlights Boaz's active role in his harvest, mentioning he's "winnowing barley tonight." This isn't just about separating grain; it signifies he's personally involved and working late, creating a specific, opportune moment for Ruth to approach him.
Naomi, seeing Ruth's devotion and wanting her to find security, hatches a bold plan. She reminds Ruth that Boaz, a relative who has already shown them kindness, is currently winnowing barley at the threshing floor that evening. This work, often done at night to take advantage of cooler breezes for separating grain from chaff, presents a strategic opportunity for Ruth to approach him.
Naomi, seeing Ruth's devotion and wanting her to find security, hatches a bold plan. She reminds Ruth that Boaz, a relative who has already shown them kindness, is currently winnowing barley at the threshing floor that evening. This work, often done at night to take advantage of cooler breezes for separating grain from chaff, presents a strategic opportunity for Ruth to approach him.
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A Setting for Approach
This work happening late in the evening, in an open, possibly somewhat isolated location (the threshing floor, often outside the village), was key to Naomi's strategy. It provided a setting where Ruth could approach Boaz with a degree of privacy, away from the constant scrutiny of the village. The combination of the late hour, the specific task, and the location created a unique moment for Naomi's bold, culturally-informed plan to unfold.
c. 11th century BC— this verse
Boaz winnows barley at the threshing floor
Boaz is winnowing barley, a crucial agricultural task often done at night to take advantage of evening breezes for separating grain from chaff. This setting provides an opportunity for Naomi's plan to unfold.
c. 11th century BC
Naomi devises a plan for Ruth
Naomi, seeking a "secure home" for Ruth, instructs her to approach Boaz at the threshing floor, leveraging ancient customs related to kinsman-redeemers.
"Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor." — Naomi highlights Boaz's active role in his harvest, mentioning he's "winnowing barley tonight." This isn't just about separating grain; it signifies he's personally involved and working late, creatin…
