Ruth 3:14

Authorized King James Version

And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתִּשְׁכַּ֤ב
And she lay
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
#2
מַרְגְּלוֹתָו֙
at his feet
(plural for collective) a footpiece, i.e., (adverbially) at the foot, or (direct.) the foot itself
#3
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#4
הַבֹּ֔קֶר
until the morning
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
#5
וַתָּ֕קָם
and she rose up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#6
בְּטֶ֛רֶוֹם
before
not yet
#7
יַכִּ֥יר
could know
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (
#8
אִ֖ישׁ
one
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
רֵעֵ֑הוּ
another
an associate (more or less close)
#11
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#13
יִוָּדַ֔ע
Let it not be known
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#14
כִּי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#15
בָ֥אָה
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#16
הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה
that a woman
a woman
#17
הַגֹּֽרֶן׃
into the floor
a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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