Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, July 27th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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Read the Bible
THE MESSAGE
Ruth 3:8
In the middle of the night the man was suddenly startled and sat up. Surprise! This woman asleep at his feet!
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
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- EveryParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman!
At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman!
Hebrew Names Version
It happened at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
It happened at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
King James Version
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
Lexham English Bible
And it happened in the middle of the night the man was startled and he reached out and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
And it happened in the middle of the night the man was startled and he reached out and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
English Standard Version
At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!
At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!
New Century Version
About midnight Boaz was startled and rolled over. There was a woman lying near his feet!
About midnight Boaz was startled and rolled over. There was a woman lying near his feet!
New English Translation
In the middle of the night he was startled and turned over. Now he saw a woman lying beside him!
In the middle of the night he was startled and turned over. Now he saw a woman lying beside him!
Amplified Bible
In the middle of the night the man was startled and he turned over, and found a woman lying at his feet.
In the middle of the night the man was startled and he turned over, and found a woman lying at his feet.
New American Standard Bible
And it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
And it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And at midnight the man was afraide and caught holde: and loe, a woman lay at his feete.
And at midnight the man was afraide and caught holde: and loe, a woman lay at his feete.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
Then it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
Contemporary English Version
In the middle of the night, Boaz suddenly woke up and was shocked to see a woman lying at his feet.
In the middle of the night, Boaz suddenly woke up and was shocked to see a woman lying at his feet.
Complete Jewish Bible
In the middle of the night the man was startled and turned over, and — there was a woman lying at his feet!
In the middle of the night the man was startled and turned over, and — there was a woman lying at his feet!
Darby Translation
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was startled, and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was startled, and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
Easy-to-Read Version
About midnight, Boaz rolled over in his sleep and woke up. He was very surprised. There was a woman lying near his feet.
About midnight, Boaz rolled over in his sleep and woke up. He was very surprised. There was a woman lying near his feet.
George Lamsa Translation
And it came to pass at midnight that the man woke up and was startled when he saw a woman lying at his feet.
And it came to pass at midnight that the man woke up and was startled when he saw a woman lying at his feet.
Good News Translation
During the night he woke up suddenly, turned over, and was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet.
During the night he woke up suddenly, turned over, and was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet.
Literal Translation
And it happened in the middle of the night, that the man trembled and turned himself. And, behold, a woman was lying at his feet!
And it happened in the middle of the night, that the man trembled and turned himself. And, behold, a woman was lying at his feet!
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Now wha it was midnight, the man was afrayed, and groped aboute him, and beholde, a woman laye at his fete.
Now wha it was midnight, the man was afrayed, and groped aboute him, and beholde, a woman laye at his fete.
American Standard Version
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
Bible in Basic English
Now in the middle of the night, the man awaking from his sleep in fear, and lifting himself up, saw a woman stretched at his feet.
Now in the middle of the night, the man awaking from his sleep in fear, and lifting himself up, saw a woman stretched at his feet.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And at midnight, the man was afraide, and caught holde: and beholde, a woman lay at his feete.
And at midnight, the man was afraide, and caught holde: and beholde, a woman lay at his feete.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was startled, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was startled, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
King James Version (1611)
And it came to passe at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himselfe: and behold, a woman lay at his feete.
And it came to passe at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himselfe: and behold, a woman lay at his feete.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And it came to pass at midnight that the man was amazed, and troubled, and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
And it came to pass at midnight that the man was amazed, and troubled, and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
English Revised Version
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
Berean Standard Bible
At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman!
At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman!
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And lo! now at mydnyyt `the man dredde, and was troblid; and he siy a womman lyggynge at hise feet;
And lo! now at mydnyyt `the man dredde, and was troblid; and he siy a womman lyggynge at hise feet;
Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, at the middle of the night, that the man trembleth, and turneth himself, and lo, a woman is lying at his feet.
And it cometh to pass, at the middle of the night, that the man trembleth, and turneth himself, and lo, a woman is lying at his feet.
Update Bible Version
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and saw that a woman lay at his feet.
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and saw that a woman lay at his feet.
Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
World English Bible
It happened at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
It happened at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
New King James Version
Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.
Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.
New Living Translation
Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet!
Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet!
New Life Bible
The man was surprised late in the night. He turned and saw that a woman was lying at his feet.
The man was surprised late in the night. He turned and saw that a woman was lying at his feet.
New Revised Standard
At midnight the man was startled, and turned over, and there, lying at his feet, was a woman!
At midnight the man was startled, and turned over, and there, lying at his feet, was a woman!
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And it came to pass, in the middle of the night, that the man started up, and turned, - and lo! a woman, lying at his feet.
And it came to pass, in the middle of the night, that the man started up, and turned, - and lo! a woman, lying at his feet.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And behold, when it was now midnight the man was afraid, and troubled: and he saw a woman lying at his feet,
And behold, when it was now midnight the man was afraid, and troubled: and he saw a woman lying at his feet,
Revised Standard Version
At midnight the man was startled, and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!
At midnight the man was startled, and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!
New American Standard Bible (1995)
It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
Contextual Overview
6 She went down to the threshing floor and put her mother-in-law's plan into action. 7 Boaz had a good time, eating and drinking his fill—he felt great. Then he went off to get some sleep, lying down at the end of a stack of barley. Ruth quietly followed; she lay down to signal her availability for marriage. 8 In the middle of the night the man was suddenly startled and sat up. Surprise! This woman asleep at his feet! 9 He said, "And who are you?" She said, "I am Ruth, your maiden; take me under your protecting wing. You're my close relative, you know, in the circle of covenant redeemers—you do have the right to marry me." 10He said, " God bless you, my dear daughter! What a splendid expression of love! And when you could have had your pick of any of the young men around. And now, my dear daughter, don't you worry about a thing; I'll do all you could want or ask. Everybody in town knows what a courageous woman you are—a real prize! You're right, I am a close relative to you, but there is one even closer than I am. So stay the rest of the night. In the morning, if he wants to exercise his customary rights and responsibilities as the closest covenant redeemer, he'll have his chance; but if he isn't interested, as God lives, I'll do it. Now go back to sleep until morning."
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Cross-References
Genesis 3:1
The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal God had made. He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?"
The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal God had made. He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?"
Genesis 3:2
The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"
The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"
Genesis 3:9
God called to the Man: "Where are you?"
God called to the Man: "Where are you?"
Genesis 3:10
He said, "I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid."
He said, "I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid."
Genesis 3:12
The Man said, "The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it." God said to the Woman, "What is this that you've done?"
The Man said, "The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it." God said to the Woman, "What is this that you've done?"
Genesis 3:21
God made leather clothing for Adam and his wife and dressed them.
God made leather clothing for Adam and his wife and dressed them.
Genesis 3:22
God said, "The Man has become like one of us, capable of knowing everything, ranging from good to evil. What if he now should reach out and take fruit from the Tree-of-Life and eat, and live forever? Never—this cannot happen!"
God said, "The Man has become like one of us, capable of knowing everything, ranging from good to evil. What if he now should reach out and take fruit from the Tree-of-Life and eat, and live forever? Never—this cannot happen!"
Deuteronomy 5:25
Moses Teaches Israel on the Plains of Moab Moses called all Israel together. He said to them, Attention, Israel. Listen obediently to the rules and regulations I am delivering to your listening ears today. Learn them. Live them. God , our God, made a covenant with us at Horeb. God didn't just make this covenant with our parents; he made it also with us, with all of us who are alive right now. God spoke to you personally out of the fire on the mountain. At the time I stood between God and you, to tell you what God said. You were afraid, remember, of the fire and wouldn't climb the mountain. He said: I am God , your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of a house of slaves. No other gods, only me. No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am God, your God, and I'm a most jealous God. I hold parents responsible for any sins they pass on to their children to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation. But I'm lovingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments. No using the name of God , your God, in curses or silly banter; God won't put up with the irreverent use of his name. No working on the Sabbath; keep it holy just as God , your God, commanded you. Work six days, doing everything you have to do, but the seventh day is a Sabbath, a Rest Day—no work: not you, your son, your daughter, your servant, your maid, your ox, your donkey (or any of your animals), and not even the foreigner visiting your town. That way your servants and maids will get the same rest as you. Don't ever forget that you were slaves in Egypt and God , your God, got you out of there in a powerful show of strength. That's why God , your God, commands you to observe the day of Sabbath rest. Respect your father and mother— God , your God, commands it! You'll have a long life; the land that God is giving you will treat you well. No murder. No adultery. No stealing. No lies about your neighbor. No coveting your neighbor's wife. And no lusting for his house, field, servant, maid, ox, or donkey either—nothing that belongs to your neighbor! These are the words that God spoke to the whole congregation at the mountain. He spoke in a tremendous voice from the fire and cloud and dark mist. And that was it. No more words. Then he wrote them on two slabs of stone and gave them to me. As it turned out, when you heard the Voice out of that dark cloud and saw the mountain on fire, you approached me, all the heads of your tribes and your leaders, and said, "Our God has revealed to us his glory and greatness. We've heard him speak from the fire today! We've seen that God can speak to humans and they can still live. But why risk it further? This huge fire will devour us if we stay around any longer. If we hear God 's voice anymore, we'll die for sure. Has anyone ever known of anyone who has heard the Voice of God the way we have and lived to tell the story? "From now on, you go and listen to what God , our God, says and then tell us what God tells you. We'll listen and we'll do it." God heard what you said to me and told me, "I've heard what the people said to you. They're right—good and true words. What I wouldn't give if they'd always feel this way, continuing to revere me and always keep all my commands; they'd have a good life forever, they and their children! "Go ahead and tell them to go home to their tents. But you, you stay here with me so I can tell you every commandment and all the rules and regulations that you must teach them so they'll know how to live in the land that I'm giving them as their own." So be very careful to act exactly as God commands you. Don't veer off to the right or the left. Walk straight down the road God commands so that you'll have a good life and live a long time in the land that you're about to possess.
Moses Teaches Israel on the Plains of Moab Moses called all Israel together. He said to them, Attention, Israel. Listen obediently to the rules and regulations I am delivering to your listening ears today. Learn them. Live them. God , our God, made a covenant with us at Horeb. God didn't just make this covenant with our parents; he made it also with us, with all of us who are alive right now. God spoke to you personally out of the fire on the mountain. At the time I stood between God and you, to tell you what God said. You were afraid, remember, of the fire and wouldn't climb the mountain. He said: I am God , your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of a house of slaves. No other gods, only me. No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am God, your God, and I'm a most jealous God. I hold parents responsible for any sins they pass on to their children to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation. But I'm lovingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments. No using the name of God , your God, in curses or silly banter; God won't put up with the irreverent use of his name. No working on the Sabbath; keep it holy just as God , your God, commanded you. Work six days, doing everything you have to do, but the seventh day is a Sabbath, a Rest Day—no work: not you, your son, your daughter, your servant, your maid, your ox, your donkey (or any of your animals), and not even the foreigner visiting your town. That way your servants and maids will get the same rest as you. Don't ever forget that you were slaves in Egypt and God , your God, got you out of there in a powerful show of strength. That's why God , your God, commands you to observe the day of Sabbath rest. Respect your father and mother— God , your God, commands it! You'll have a long life; the land that God is giving you will treat you well. No murder. No adultery. No stealing. No lies about your neighbor. No coveting your neighbor's wife. And no lusting for his house, field, servant, maid, ox, or donkey either—nothing that belongs to your neighbor! These are the words that God spoke to the whole congregation at the mountain. He spoke in a tremendous voice from the fire and cloud and dark mist. And that was it. No more words. Then he wrote them on two slabs of stone and gave them to me. As it turned out, when you heard the Voice out of that dark cloud and saw the mountain on fire, you approached me, all the heads of your tribes and your leaders, and said, "Our God has revealed to us his glory and greatness. We've heard him speak from the fire today! We've seen that God can speak to humans and they can still live. But why risk it further? This huge fire will devour us if we stay around any longer. If we hear God 's voice anymore, we'll die for sure. Has anyone ever known of anyone who has heard the Voice of God the way we have and lived to tell the story? "From now on, you go and listen to what God , our God, says and then tell us what God tells you. We'll listen and we'll do it." God heard what you said to me and told me, "I've heard what the people said to you. They're right—good and true words. What I wouldn't give if they'd always feel this way, continuing to revere me and always keep all my commands; they'd have a good life forever, they and their children! "Go ahead and tell them to go home to their tents. But you, you stay here with me so I can tell you every commandment and all the rules and regulations that you must teach them so they'll know how to live in the land that I'm giving them as their own." So be very careful to act exactly as God commands you. Don't veer off to the right or the left. Walk straight down the road God commands so that you'll have a good life and live a long time in the land that you're about to possess.
Job 38:1
And now, finally, God answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said:
And now, finally, God answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said:
Proverbs 15:3
God doesn't miss a thing— he's alert to good and evil alike.
God doesn't miss a thing— he's alert to good and evil alike.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And it came to pass at midnight,.... So long Boaz slept without knowledge of any person being at his feet, and so long Ruth had lain there; but awaking, and perceiving something at his feet, which pressed them, it made him look about and feel, and so affected him,
that the man was afraid; though a man, and a man of spirit, he was afraid, a panic seized him, not knowing but it might be a spectre, a spirit, or a demon, as Jarchi; and such an instance we have in history s of an apparition, which seemed to put off clothes, and place itself in a bed where a man lay, c.
and turned himself to see who it was:
and, behold, a woman lay at his feet; which he knew by putting his hand upon her head, as Jarchi thinks, and so knew her by her headdress, or vail; or rather by her voice, as Aben Ezra, and who supposes the moon might shine, and he might be able to discern she had no beard, as well as also discover her by her clothes.
s Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 2. c. 9.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Turned himself - Rather, “bent forward,” so as to feel what it was which was at his feet. The same word is translated “took hold of,” in Judges 16:29.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Ruth 3:8. The man was afraid, and turned himself — The verb ילפת yillapheth, which we render he turned himself, has puzzled even the Targumist, who translates the clause thus: "The man trembled, and his flesh became like a (boiled) turnip through fear." It is fully evident Boaz had no intimation of the present proceedings. To this verse the Targumist adds much; he says, "Boaz subdued his concupiscence, and acted towards her as Joseph did to the Egyptian wife of his master, and as Pelatiel, the son of Laish the pious, did to Michal, the daughter of Saul, the wife of David, who put a sword between Michal and himself, because he would not approach to her."
