Teks -- Ruth 3:7 (NET)

3:7 When Boaz had finished his meal and was feeling satisfied, he lay down to sleep at the far end of the grain heap. Then Ruth crept up quietly, uncovered his legs, and lay down beside him.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Clarke: Rut 3:7 - When Boaz had eaten and drunk

When Boaz had eaten and drunk - The Targum adds, "He blessed the name of the Lord, who had heard his prayer, and removed famine from the land of Israel.

Clarke: Rut 3:7 - Went to lie down

Went to lie down - As the threshing-floors of the Eastern nations are in general in the open air, it is very likely that the owner or some confidential person continued in the fields till the grain was secured, having a tent in the place where the corn was threshed and winnowed. Boaz seems to have acted thus.

Defender: Rut 3:7 - merry

Ruth was not taking advantage of Boaz in a drunken state. The term "merry" only suggests a feeling of satisfaction with a job well done, followed by a good meal and a sense of thankfulness for God's blessing.

Defender: Rut 3:7 - laid her down

Ruth was not acting immorally, but in full accord with customs and procedures associated with the rights and obligations of the "kinsman-redeemer." A widow could in this way request the nearest kinsman of her deceased, childless husband to perform the duty of marrying the widow and raising up children to "the name of the dead upon his inheritance" (Rth 4:5)."

TSK: Rut 3:7 - his heart // went to lie

his heart : Gen 43:34; Jdg 16:25, Jdg 19:6, Jdg 19:9, Jdg 19:22; 2Sa 13:28; Est 1:10; Psa 104:15; Ecc 2:24, Ecc 3:12, Ecc 3:13, Ecc 8:15, Ecc 9:7, Ecc 10:19; 1Co 10:31; Eph 5:18

went to lie : Such was the simplicity of those early times, that the most wealthy persons looked after their own affairs, both at home and in the field. These threshing-floors were covered at top to keep off the rain, but lay open on all sides, that the wind might come in freely, for winnowing the corn; which being done, it is probable they were shut up at night, with doors fitted to them, that if any one lay there he might be kept warm, and the corn be secured from robbers.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Rut 3:7 - Had eaten and drunk

Had eaten and drunk to wit, liberally, as the manner was upon those occasions. See Jud 9:27 Psa 4:7 Isa 9:3 .

Haydock: Rut 3:7 - Merry // Sheaves

Merry. Hebrew, "good," yet by no means intoxicated. (Du Hamel; Menochius) ---

It was formerly the custom, as it is still in many places, (Haydock) to conclude the harvest with a feast; (Calmet) on which day Cato observes, that the men and oxen did not work. (De re Rust. c. 131.) Hence the vacuna of Ovid. (Fast. vi.) (Tirinus) ---

The pagans did this in honour of Jupiter and Ceres. But the true God had enjoined his people (Haydock) to offer the first-fruits to him, and to feast in his presence, Leviticus xxiii. 10., and Deuteronomy xxvi. 21. ---

Sheaves, either of corn or of straw. (Septuagint) ---

The Arabs and neighbouring nations still delight to rest upon the ground, with some clothes thrown over them. (Calmet)

Gill: Rut 3:7 - And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry // and she came softly // and uncovered his feet // and laid her down

And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry,.... Having ate and drank freely, though not to excess; and innocent mirth was always allowed in the time of harvest, and of the vintage, and of gathering the fruits of the earth, see Jdg 9:27 or "his heart was good"; he was in a good frame and disposition of mind, praising God for his goodness to him, and to his people; so the Targum,"and his heart was good, and he blessed the name of the Lord who had received his prayer, and removed the famine from the land of Israel:''he went to lie down at the heap of corn; in the threshingfloor, which had either been threshed out, or lay in sheaves to be threshed out: however, it seems probable that he had laid himself down on some of the straw of the corn threshed out, with his clothes on, covering his feet with the lower part of his garment; it being usual in those countries to wear long garments, which served to sleep in by nights, as well as to cover them by day; nor was it thought mean and unworthy of persons of note to sleep in such a place, and in such a manner as this ^r. And it might be chosen for coolness in those hot countries. Jarchi thinks it was to preserve his corn from thieves; though it might be because it was late ere the festival was over, and too late to go home, and besides he was ready for his business the next morning:

and she came softly; with stillness and quietness, as Jarchi, making as little noise as possible; or secretly, as the Targum, that no one might see her, and have knowledge of what she did:

and uncovered his feet; turned up the skirt of the garment that was upon his feet, or removed whatever covering was laid on them:

and laid her down; not on the side of him, which would have seemed immodest, but at his feet, perhaps across them.