Ruth 3:17
Ruth 3:17 in Multiple Translations
And she said, “He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.
And she said, He gave me these six measures of grain, saying, Do not go back to your mother-in-law with nothing in your hands.
“And he also gave me these six measures of barley,” she added. “He told me, ‘You mustn't go home to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
And said, These sixe measures of barly gaue he me: for he sayd to me, Thou shalt not come emptie vnto thy mother in lawe.
And she saith, 'These six [measures] of barley he hath given to me, for he said, Thou dost not go in empty unto thy mother-in-law.'
She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’”
And she said, These six measures of barley he gave me; for he said to me, Go not empty to thy mother-in-law.
And she said: Behold he hath given me six measures of barley: for he said: I will not have thee return empty to thy mother in law.
She also said to Naomi, “He gave me all this barley, saying ‘I do not want you to return to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’ ”
Berean Amplified Bible — Ruth 3:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ruth 3:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תֹּ֕אמֶר
שֵׁשׁ
הַ/שְּׂעֹרִ֥ים
הָ/אֵ֖לֶּה
נָ֣תַן
לִ֑/י
כִּ֚י
אָמַ֣ר
אֵלַ֔/י
אַל
תָּב֥וֹאִי
רֵיקָ֖ם
אֶל
חֲמוֹתֵֽ/ךְ
וַ/תֹּ֕אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
שֵׁשׁ
shêsh
H8337
six
Adj
הַ/שְּׂעֹרִ֥ים
sᵉʻôrâh
H8184
barley
Art | N-fp
הָ/אֵ֖לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Art | Pron
נָ֣תַן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לִ֑/י
Prep | Suff
כִּ֚י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אָמַ֣ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֵלַ֔/י
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תָּב֥וֹאִי
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Juss-2fs
רֵיקָ֖ם
rêyqâm
H7387
emptily
Adv
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
חֲמוֹתֵֽ/ךְ
chămôwth
H2545
mother-in-law
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ruth 3:17
וַ/תֹּ֕אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
שֵׁשׁ
shêsh
H8337
"six"
Adj
This Hebrew word means the number six, and is often used in the Bible to describe measurements, like the six days of creation in Genesis 1.
Definition: 1) six 1a) six (cardinal number) 1b) sixth (ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. See also: Genesis 7:6; 1 Kings 6:6; Proverbs 6:16.
הַ/שְּׂעֹרִ֥ים
sᵉʻôrâh
H8184
"barley"
Art | N-fp
This word refers to barley, a type of grain that was commonly eaten in ancient Israel. Barley was a staple food in the biblical world. It's mentioned in the story of Ruth.
Definition: 1) barley 1a) barley (of the plant) 1b) barley (of the meal or grain)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: barley. See also: Exodus 9:31; 2 Kings 7:1; Isaiah 28:25.
הָ/אֵ֖לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Art | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
נָ֣תַן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לִ֑/י
""
Prep | Suff
כִּ֚י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אָמַ֣ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֵלַ֔/י
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תָּב֥וֹאִי
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Juss-2fs
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
רֵיקָ֖ם
rêyqâm
H7387
"emptily"
Adv
This Hebrew word means doing something empty or without purpose, like acting in vain. It is used in the Bible to describe actions that have no real effect. In the KJV, it is translated as 'without cause' or 'in vain'.
Definition: 1) vainly, emptily 1a) in empty condition, empty, emptily 1b) in vain, without effect, vainly
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: without cause, empty, in vain, void. See also: Genesis 31:42; 1 Samuel 6:3; Psalms 7:5.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
חֲמוֹתֵֽ/ךְ
chămôwth
H2545
"mother-in-law"
N-fs | Suff
This word refers to a mother-in-law, the husband's mother, a family relationship. It appears in various biblical contexts.
Definition: mother-in-law, husband's mother
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: mother in law. See also: Ruth 1:14; Ruth 3:1; Micah 7:6.
Study Notes — Ruth 3:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Ruth’s Redemption Assured
15And he told her, “Bring the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured in six measures of barley and placed it on her. Then he went into the city.
16When Ruth returned to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked her, “How did it go, my daughter?” Then Ruth told her all that Boaz had done for her.
17And she said, “He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
18“Wait, my daughter,” said Naomi, “until you find out how things go, for he will not rest unless he has resolved the matter today.”Ruth 3:17 Summary
[This verse shows how Boaz, a kind and generous man, provided for Ruth and Naomi by giving them six measures of barley, demonstrating God's care and provision for those in need, as seen in Psalm 23:1-4. Ruth's story teaches us that God is always working to provide for us, even when we cannot see it. By trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, we can have peace and confidence, just like Ruth did when she obeyed Boaz's instructions, as described in Ruth 3:17 and Proverbs 3:5-6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the six measures of barley in Ruth 3:17?
The six measures of barley represent God's provision and care for Ruth and Naomi, as seen in Ruth 3:17, and demonstrate Boaz's kindness and generosity, foreshadowing the greater provision of Jesus Christ, who is our ultimate bread of life, as stated in John 6:35.
Why did Boaz instruct Ruth not to return to her mother-in-law empty-handed?
Boaz's instruction to Ruth not to return empty-handed shows his concern for Naomi's well-being and his desire to honor her, reflecting the biblical principle of caring for the poor and vulnerable, as taught in Deuteronomy 15:7-8 and Proverbs 19:17.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of Ruth and Naomi?
Ruth 3:17 is a pivotal moment in the story, as it shows Boaz's willingness to help Ruth and Naomi, ultimately leading to their redemption and inclusion in the family of God, as seen in the Book of Ruth and fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who is our kinsman-redeemer, as described in Isaiah 59:20.
What can we learn from Ruth's obedience to Boaz's instructions in this verse?
Ruth's obedience to Boaz's instructions demonstrates her trust and faith in his provision, teaching us the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- How has God provided for you in times of need, and how can you trust in His provision today?
- What are some ways you can show kindness and generosity to those in need, like Boaz did for Ruth and Naomi?
- How can you apply the principle of not returning 'empty-handed' to your relationships and interactions with others?
- What does this verse teach you about God's heart for the poor and vulnerable, and how can you reflect that heart in your own life?
Gill's Exposition on Ruth 3:17
And she said, these six measures of barley gave he me,.... Which she laid down before her, which was a proof of his kindness to her, that she was acceptable to him, and had well sped; of these six
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ruth 3:17
And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
Trapp's Commentary on Ruth 3:17
Rth 3:17 And she said, These six [measures] of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.Ver. 17. These six measures.] Love is liberal, it will not be hid: … quis enim celaverit ignem? For he said to me.] “ Dat bene, dat multum, qui dat cure munere vulture. ” Go not empty.] This was to lay up treasure in heaven, to lend to the Lord, to lay hold upon eternal life. "A liberal man deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things he shall stand."