B. Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor (3:6-15)
The author has carefully and artistically created an air of mystery in this unit that centers around a “contrived ambiguity” (Campbell, 130-31). Each element in the narrative contributes to the desired effect. The secrecy of Ruth’s mission, the privacy at the far end of the grain pile, the darkness of midnight and early dawn in which the encounter takes place, the danger of being discovered, and the ambiguity of Ruth’s actions all contribute to the aura of suspense and anticipation. Ruth’s request is an honorable one and does not constitute anything of an illicit nature. But she has placed herself in a compromising situation, and the audience is immediately aware that impropriety is possible, perhaps imminent. This is heightened by the recurrence of the word “to lie down” (eight times in vv.4-14), which frequently in Hebrew has clear sexual connotations. The audience is suddenly left with the question: will the characters continue to act in righteousness or not?
Ruth carefully followed the instructions of her mother-in-law. But at the moment of disclosure (v.9), she uses a graphic metaphor when she asks Boaz to spread the corner (lit. “wing”) of his garment over her. Again we are confronted with an ancient custom, the meaning of which is not entirely clear. Garments were frequently used symbolically in the Bible (2Ki 2:13; 9:13) and elsewhere in the ancient Near East (e.g., occasionally in Nuzi customs). This particular metaphor is used in Eze 16:8 for the commitment of marriage. This symbolic language further creates a wordplay with Boaz’s statement in 2:12 where he asserts that Ruth has found security under the “wings” of the God of Israel. In essence, her request was to find further security under the wings of Boaz.
The suspense and ambiguity of the narrative are soon resolved. Not only does Boaz behave nobly, but decisively and honestly. He is genuinely honored and surprised by Ruth’s request for marriage, for he assumed she would have preferred a younger man. He states that this kindness (ḥesed̠, “loyalty”) is greater than her earlier expression, presumably referring to her faithfulness to Naomi (v.10). The implication is that Ruth has consistently given higher priority to family obligations than to her own personal well-being. The audience is given assurance of a happy ending by his “I will do for you all you ask” (v.11). He assures her that over the last two months it has become obvious to everyone in Bethlehem that she is an attractive prospect for marriage. But in a surprising twist, he informs Ruth that there is another man closer in relationship than he (vv.12-13). This was apparently news to Ruth, though Naomi must surely have known it. Reasons for Naomi’s silence about this relative are unknown. She must have favored Boaz as the prospective husband for Ruth. Boaz apparently did not consider marrying Ruth without first giving preference to the closer relative, even though he held the advantage. His integrity is exemplary.
To avoid any appearance of impropriety, he advises Ruth to leave before dawn to remain undetected (v.14). He sends her back to Naomi with a generous portion of the grain (v.15). Again, Ruth and Boaz have acted admirably in admittedly delicate circumstances. “It is not prudery which compels the conclusion that there was no sexual intercourse at the threshing floor; it is the utter irrelevance of such a speculation” (Campbell, 138).