Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. New Living Translation Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. English Standard Version Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Berean Standard Bible Therefore wash yourself, put on perfume, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. Berean Literal Bible And you shall wash, and you shall anoint yourself, and you shall put your garments on you, and you shall go down to the threshing floor. Do not make yourself known to the man until he finishes eating and drinking. King James Bible Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. New King James Version Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. New American Standard Bible Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not reveal yourself to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. NASB 1995 “Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. NASB 1977 “Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Legacy Standard Bible So you shall wash yourself and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and you shall go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Amplified Bible So wash and anoint yourself [with olive oil], then put on your [best] clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but stay out of the man’s sight until he has finished eating and drinking. Berean Annotated Bible Therefore wash yourself, put on perfume, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. Christian Standard Bible Wash, put on perfumed oil, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. Holman Christian Standard Bible Wash, put on perfumed oil, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. American Standard Version Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the threshing-floor, but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. Contemporary English Version Now take a bath and put on some perfume, then dress in your best clothes. Go where he is working, but don't let him see you until he has finished eating and drinking. English Revised Version Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put on thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the threshing-floor: but make not thyself known to the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. GOD'S WORD® Translation Freshen up, put on some perfume, dress up, and go down to the threshing floor. Don't let him know that you're there until he's finished eating and drinking. Good News Translation So wash yourself, put on some perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go where he is threshing, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. International Standard Version So get cleaned up, put on some perfume, dress up, and go to the threshing floor, but don't let him see you until after he's finished eating and drinking. NET Bible So bathe yourself, rub on some perfumed oil, and get dressed up. Then go down to the threshing floor. But don't let the man know you're there until he finishes his meal. New Heart English Bible Therefore wash yourself, anoint yourself, and put on your clothes, and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Webster's Bible Translation Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and go down to the floor: but make not thyself known to the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleTherefore wash yourself, put on perfume, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. World English Bible Therefore wash yourself, anoint yourself, get dressed, and go down to the threshing floor; but don’t make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand you have bathed, and anointed yourself, and put your garments on you, and gone down to the threshing-floor; do not let yourself be known to the man until he completes to eat and to drink; Berean Literal Bible And you shall wash, and you shall anoint yourself, and you shall put your garments on you, and you shall go down to the threshing floor. Do not make yourself known to the man until he finishes eating and drinking. Young's Literal Translation and thou hast bathed, and anointed thyself, and put thy garments upon thee, and gone down to the threshing-floor; let not thyself be known to the man till he complete to eat and to drink; Smith's Literal Translation And wash thou and anoint thyself, and put thy garments upon thee, and go down to the threshing-floor: thou shalt not make thyself known to the man till his finishing to eat and to drink. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWash thyself therefore and anoint thee, and put on thy best garments, and go down to the barnfloor: but let not the man see thee, till he shall have done eating and drinking. Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, wash and anoint yourself, and put on your decorative garments, and go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man see you, while he finishes eating and drinking. New American Bible Now, go bathe and anoint yourself; then put on your best attire and go down to the threshing floor. Do not make yourself known to the man before he has finished eating and drinking. New Revised Standard Version Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself, and put on your best garments, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not show yourself to him until he has finished eating and drinking. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Bathe therefore and anoint and adorn yourself in your garments, and go down to the threshing floor, and do not appear to him until he eats and drinks OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the threshing-floor; but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. Brenton Septuagint Translation But do thou wash, and anoint thyself, and put thy raiment upon thee, and go up to the threshing-floor: do not discover thyself to the man until he has done eating and drinking. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Naomi Instructs Ruth…2Now is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been working, a relative of ours? In fact, tonight he is winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3Therefore wash yourself, put on perfume, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4When he lies down, note the place where he lies. Then go in and uncover his feet, and lie down, and he will explain to you what you should do.”… Cross References Therefore wash yourself, 2 Kings 5:10 Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.” Exodus 19:10 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes 2 Samuel 12:20 Then David got up from the ground, washed and anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they set food before him, and he ate. put on perfume, Esther 2:12 In the twelve months before her turn to go to King Xerxes, the harem regulation required each young woman to receive beauty treatments with oil of myrrh for six months, and then with perfumes and cosmetics for another six months. Psalm 45:8 All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad. Songs 4:10 How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices. and wear your best clothes. Esther 5:1 On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance. Zechariah 3:4 So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.” Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Go down to the threshing floor, Genesis 50:10 When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wailed loudly, and Joseph mourned for his father seven days. 2 Samuel 24:18 And that day Gad came to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” 1 Chronicles 21:18 Then the angel of the LORD ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. but do not let the man know you are there Genesis 31:35 Rachel said to her father, “Sir, do not be angry that I cannot stand up before you; for I am having my period.” So Laban searched but could not find the household idols. Joshua 2:4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. So she said, “Yes, the men did come to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 2 Kings 11:2 But Jehosheba daughter of King Joram, the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, and he was not killed. until he has finished eating and drinking. 1 Samuel 1:9 So after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. Treasury of Scripture Wash yourself therefore, and anoint you, and put your raiment on you, and get you down to the floor: but make not yourself known to the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. anoint thee 2 Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: Psalm 104:15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. Ecclesiastes 9:8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. put thy Esther 5:1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. 1 Timothy 2:9,10 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; … Jump to Previous Anoint Bath Best Body Clothes Clothing Drinking Eating End Meal Oil Perfume Raiment Robe Rubbing Sweet Threshing Threshing-Floor Thyself WashJump to Next Anoint Bath Best Body Clothes Clothing Drinking Eating End Meal Oil Perfume Raiment Robe Rubbing Sweet Threshing Threshing-Floor Thyself WashRuth 3 1. By Naomi's instruction5. Ruth lies at Boaz's feet 8. Boaz acknowledges the right of a kinsman 14. He sends her away with six measures of barley Therefore wash yourself In the ancient Near East, washing was a significant act of purification and preparation. It symbolized a transition from one state to another, often from mourning to joy or from impurity to purity. In the context of Ruth, washing herself signifies her readiness to move from widowhood to a new phase of life. This act can be seen as a parallel to the spiritual cleansing that believers undergo, as seen in passages like Isaiah 1:16 and Ephesians 5:26. Put on perfume And wear your best clothes Go down to the threshing floor But do not let the man know you are there Until he has finished eating and drinking Persons / Places / Events 1. RuthA Moabite widow who has shown loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and to the God of Israel. Her actions in this chapter demonstrate her faith and obedience. 2. Naomi Ruth's mother-in-law, who guides Ruth in seeking security and provision through Boaz, a relative of Naomi's deceased husband. 3. Boaz A wealthy and influential relative of Naomi's late husband, Elimelech. He is a kinsman-redeemer, a concept in Hebrew law that involves protecting the interests of needy family members. 4. Threshing Floor A place where grain is separated from chaff. It is significant as the setting for Ruth's encounter with Boaz, symbolizing a place of provision and blessing. 5. Bethlehem The town where Naomi and Ruth have returned, and where Boaz lives. It is also the future birthplace of King David and Jesus Christ. Teaching Points Preparation and PurityRuth 3:3 instructs Ruth to wash, anoint herself, and put on her best clothes. This preparation signifies purity and readiness, reminding us of the importance of spiritual preparation and purity in our own lives. Obedience and Trust Ruth follows Naomi's instructions without hesitation, demonstrating trust and obedience. This teaches us the value of trusting wise counsel and being obedient to God's guidance. God's Provision The setting of the threshing floor, a place of harvest, symbolizes God's provision. We are reminded that God provides for our needs, often through unexpected means and people. Courage and Initiative Ruth's actions required courage and initiative. We are encouraged to step out in faith, trusting that God will honor our boldness when aligned with His will. Redemption and Hope The role of Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer points to the hope and redemption found in Christ. We are reminded of the hope we have in Jesus, who redeems and restores us. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ruth 3:3?2. How does Ruth 3:3 demonstrate obedience and preparation in following God's plan? 3. What cultural significance does "wash, anoint, and dress" have in Ruth 3:3? 4. How can Ruth's actions in Ruth 3:3 inspire our daily spiritual preparation? 5. What other biblical examples show preparation before approaching significant moments or decisions? 6. How can we apply Ruth's diligence in Ruth 3:3 to our faith journey? 7. What is the significance of Ruth washing and anointing herself in Ruth 3:3? 8. How does Ruth 3:3 reflect cultural practices of ancient Israel? 9. Why does Naomi instruct Ruth to change her clothes in Ruth 3:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ruth 3? 11. In Ruth 3:3–4, why would Naomi instruct Ruth to approach Boaz at night in secret instead of openly, raising questions about her motives or social conventions? 12. What is the Bible's stance on aromatherapy? 13. What defines a threshing floor? 14. In Ruth 3:7-8, how did Ruth's presence remain unnoticed until Boaz awoke, and what does this suggest about the setting or cultural practices? What Does Ruth 3:3 Mean Therefore wash yourselfCleanliness in Scripture often signals a fresh start and readiness to approach God’s purposes. Naomi’s first instruction reminds Ruth to leave behind the grief and dust of her widowhood. • Genesis 35:2 shows Jacob telling his household to “purify yourselves and change your clothes” before worship. • Exodus 19:10 has Israel wash before meeting the LORD at Sinai. • 2 Samuel 12:20 records David rising from mourning, washing, and worshiping. Like them, Ruth’s washing points to repentance, renewal, and expectation that God is about to act. put on perfume Fragrance in the Bible accompanies joy, honor, and covenant moments. Naomi’s counsel signals that the season of mourning is over and a new chapter of blessing is at hand. • Psalm 45:7-8 links anointing oil and gladness for a royal bridegroom. • Song of Songs 1:3 celebrates how “pleasing is the fragrance of your perfume.” • 2 Samuel 14:2 shows a woman told to omit perfume while mourning; Ruth does the opposite, declaring hope. The sweet aroma symbolizes favor and anticipates the pleasing work God will accomplish through Ruth and Boaz. and wear your best clothes Changing garments marks a decisive shift in identity. Ruth moves from destitute foreign widow to prospective bride within God’s covenant family. • Genesis 41:14—Joseph is shaved and given new clothes before promotion. • Isaiah 61:3 promises “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” • Colossians 3:12 urges believers to “clothe yourselves with compassion….” Ruth’s attire aligns her outward appearance with the inward faith she has already displayed (Ruth 1:16-17). Go down to the threshing floor The threshing floor is where harvest fruit is separated from useless chaff—a fitting place for a turning point. • Judges 6:11—an angel meets Gideon at a threshing place, calling him to deliver Israel. • Jeremiah 51:33 pictures threshing as judgment and redemption timing. Ruth’s obedience brings her into the very center of Boaz’s labor and provision, illustrating how God brings His people to the place of blessing at just the right time. but do not let the man know you are there Naomi’s strategy protects Ruth’s dignity and Boaz’s reputation, avoiding presumption while positioning her for a private conversation about redemption. • Proverbs 22:3 commends prudence in avoiding unnecessary danger. • John 7:10 notes Jesus going to the Feast “in secret” before revealing Himself—timing matters. Discretion here is not deceitful; it guards both parties from gossip and allows Boaz freedom to act honorably. until he has finished eating and drinking Waiting reflects respect for Boaz’s well-being and timing. A satisfied heart is more prepared to consider weighty matters. • Deuteronomy 16:13-15 speaks of rejoicing after harvest with food and drink as God’s blessing. • 1 Samuel 25:36 shows Abigail wisely delaying a serious discussion with Nabal until morning. Ruth’s patience underscores her humility and trust that God orchestrates circumstances far better than human haste. summary Ruth 3:3 portrays a faithful woman preparing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—for God’s next step. Washing, anointing, dressing well, going to the threshing floor, exercising discretion, and waiting for the right moment all reveal a blend of practical wisdom and deep faith. Ruth obeys Naomi, honors Boaz, and trusts the LORD, demonstrating that readiness, modest initiative, and patience position God’s people to receive His redemptive blessings. (3-5) The plan suggested by Naomi seems peculiar, yet some thoughts may give a certain colouring to it. (1) Naomi seems to have believed that Boaz was the nearest kinsman, being ignorant of the yet nearer one (Ruth 3:12). Consequently, according to Israelite law (Deuteronomy 25:5 sqq.), it would be the duty of Boaz to marry Ruth to raise up seed to the dead. (2) The general tone of Naomi's character is clearly shown in this book to be that of a God-fearing woman, so that it is certain that, however curious in its external form, there can be nothing counselled here which really is repugnant to God's law, or shocking to a virtuous man such as Boaz, otherwise Naomi would simply have been most completely frustrating her own purpose. (3) Her knowledge by long intimacy of Ruth's character, and doubtless also of that of Boaz by report, would enable her to feel sure that no ill effects could accrue.Verse 3. - So then wash thyself, and anoint thyself, and dress thyself? This latter phrase is in the original, "and put thy garments on thee." The verb וְשַׂמְתְּי with its final yod, was the archaic form of the second person feminine, though still much cut down and contracted from its oldest form. See Raabe's 'Zuruckfuhring,' and note the conduct of the verb, in its relation to the pronominal suffixes, when these are affixed. And go down to the threshing-floor. The town of Bethlehem lay on the summit of "the narrow ridge of a long gray hill" (Stanley's 'Sinai and Palestine,' p. 163), while the corn-fields, that gave the fortified place its name of Bread-town, stretched out expandingly in the valleys below. Dr. Robinson says, "We ascended gradually toward Bethlehem around the broad head of a valley running N.E. to join that under Mar Elyas The town lies on the E. and N.E. slope of a long ridge; another deep valley, Wady Ta'amirah, being on the south side, which passes down north of the Frank Mountain toward the Dead Sea, receiving the valley under Mar Elyas not far below. Toward the west the hill is higher than the village, and then sinks down very gradually toward Wady Ahmed ('Biblical Researches,' vol. 2. p. 158). Let not your presence be known to the man before he has finished eating and drinking. It would have been imprudent and impolite to have discovered her presence while his servants and himself were busied in operations which required to be actively prosecuted while the breeze was favorable, and the light of the moon serviceable. Ruth was to wait till the servants, having finished their work and their repast, had retired to their respective homes. The master, as Naomi knew, would remain gratefully and joyfully on the spot, to keep watch in the midst of his cereal treasures, and under the still magnificence of the broad canopy of heaven. Speaking of Hebron, Dr. Robinson says, "Here we needed no guard around our tent. The owners of the crops came every night and slept upon their threshing-floors to guard them, and this we had found to be universal in all the region of Gaza. We were in the midst of scenes precisely like those of the Book of Ruth, when Boaz winnowed barley in his threshing-floor, and laid himself down at night to guard the heap of corn" ('Biblical Researches, ' vol. 2. p. 446). Boaz's heart, when all was quiet around him, would be full of calm and comfort. He would pace about his well-heaped threshing-floor contentedly, contemplatively; and, as he paced, and thought, and adored, the figure of the beautiful and industrious gleaner might persist in coming in within the field of meditation. It might linger there, and be gladly allowed to linger.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Therefore wash yourself,וְרָחַ֣צְתְּ ׀ (wə·rā·ḥaṣt) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 7364: To wash, wash off or away, bathe put on perfume, וָסַ֗כְתְּ (wā·saḵt) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 5480: To pour (in anointing), anoint and wear וְשַׂ֧מְתְּ (wə·śamt) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set your best clothes. שִׂמְלֹתַ֛יִךְ (śim·lō·ṯa·yiḵ) Noun - feminine plural construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 8071: A dress, a mantle Go down וְיָרַ֣דְתְּ (wə·yā·raḏt) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend to the threshing floor, הַגֹּ֑רֶן (hag·gō·ren) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1637: A threshing-floor, open area but do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not let the man לָאִ֔ישׁ (lā·’îš) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person know תִּוָּדְעִ֣י (tiw·wā·ḏə·‘î) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 3045: To know you are there until עַ֥ד (‘aḏ) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while he has finished כַּלֹּת֖וֹ (kal·lō·ṯōw) Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent eating לֶאֱכֹ֥ל (le·’ĕ·ḵōl) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 398: To eat and drinking. וְלִשְׁתּֽוֹת׃ (wə·liš·tō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 8354: To imbibe Links Ruth 3:3 NIVRuth 3:3 NLT Ruth 3:3 ESV Ruth 3:3 NASB Ruth 3:3 KJV Ruth 3:3 BibleApps.com Ruth 3:3 Biblia Paralela Ruth 3:3 Chinese Bible Ruth 3:3 French Bible Ruth 3:3 Catholic Bible OT History: Ruth 3:3 Wash yourself therefore and anoint you (Ru Rut.) |
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