Ruth 3:10

Authorized King James Version

And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
בְּרוּכָ֨ה
Blessed
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
#3
אַ֤תְּ
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#4
לַֽיהוָה֙
be thou of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
בִּתִּ֔י
my daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#6
הֵיטַ֛בְתְּ
for thou hast shewed
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
#7
חַסְדֵּ֥ךְ
more kindness
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
#8
הָאַֽחֲר֖וֹן
in the latter end
hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
#9
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#10
הָֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן
than at the beginning
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#11
לְבִלְתִּי
not
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
#12
לֶ֗כֶת
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#13
אַֽחֲרֵי֙
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#14
הַבַּ֣חוּרִ֔ים
young men
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
#15
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#16
דַּ֖ל
whether poor
properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin
#17
וְאִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#18
עָשִֽׁיר׃
or rich
rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ruth. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ruth Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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