Ruth 3:13

Authorized King James Version

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Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.

Original Language Analysis

לִ֣ינִי׀ Tarry H3885
לִ֣ינִי׀ Tarry
Strong's: H3885
Word #: 1 of 19
to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
הַלַּ֗יְלָה this night H3915
הַלַּ֗יְלָה this night
Strong's: H3915
Word #: 2 of 19
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וְהָיָ֤ה H1961
וְהָיָ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 3 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַבֹּֽקֶר׃ and it shall be in the morning H1242
הַבֹּֽקֶר׃ and it shall be in the morning
Strong's: H1242
Word #: 4 of 19
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 5 of 19
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
וּגְאַלְתִּ֥יךְ let him do the kinsman's part H1350
וּגְאַלְתִּ֥יךְ let him do the kinsman's part
Strong's: H1350
Word #: 6 of 19
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
טוֹב֙ well H2896
טוֹב֙ well
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 7 of 19
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וּגְאַלְתִּ֥יךְ let him do the kinsman's part H1350
וּגְאַלְתִּ֥יךְ let him do the kinsman's part
Strong's: H1350
Word #: 8 of 19
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
וְאִם H518
וְאִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 9 of 19
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֨א H3808
לֹ֨א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַחְפֹּ֧ץ but if he will H2654
יַחְפֹּ֧ץ but if he will
Strong's: H2654
Word #: 11 of 19
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
וּגְאַלְתִּ֥יךְ let him do the kinsman's part H1350
וּגְאַלְתִּ֥יךְ let him do the kinsman's part
Strong's: H1350
Word #: 12 of 19
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
וּגְאַלְתִּ֥יךְ let him do the kinsman's part H1350
וּגְאַלְתִּ֥יךְ let him do the kinsman's part
Strong's: H1350
Word #: 13 of 19
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
אָנֹ֖כִי H595
אָנֹ֖כִי
Strong's: H595
Word #: 14 of 19
i
חַי liveth H2416
חַי liveth
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 15 of 19
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוָ֑ה to thee as the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֑ה to thee as the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 16 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שִׁכְבִ֖י lie down H7901
שִׁכְבִ֖י lie down
Strong's: H7901
Word #: 17 of 19
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 18 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַבֹּֽקֶר׃ and it shall be in the morning H1242
הַבֹּֽקֶר׃ and it shall be in the morning
Strong's: H1242
Word #: 19 of 19
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

Analysis & Commentary

Boaz's plan: 'Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not, then will I do the part of a kinsman unto thee, as the LORD liveth'. Boaz instructs Ruth to stay until morning for safety and propriety. His promise invokes God's name in oath form—'as the LORD liveth'—showing serious covenant commitment. He'll give the nearer kinsman first opportunity but promises to redeem if that man refuses. The oath demonstrates integrity (proper legal process) and commitment (he WILL redeem her either way). 'Lie down until the morning' instructs Ruth to sleep safely under his protection until dawn.

Historical Context

Traveling at night was dangerous for women. Boaz's instruction to stay protected Ruth from physical danger and reputational harm—being seen leaving the threshing floor at night could create scandal. His oath 'as the LORD liveth' was legally binding, invoking divine witness. Ancient Israelite oaths calling on God's name carried absolute obligation. Boaz's careful balance of giving the nearer kinsman his legal rights while committing absolutely to Ruth demonstrated both justice and mercy—he wouldn't circumvent proper process but would definitely redeem if permitted.

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