Ruth came softly and UNCOVERED Boaz's FEET and lay down

[tonychanyt]

Deuteronomy described the levirate marriage in 25:

8 the elders of his city shall call him [a widow's brother] and speak to him, and if he persists, saying, ‘I do not wish to take her,’ 9 then his brother’s wife [the widow] shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’ 10 And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal pulled off.’

Leviticus described the kinsman redeemer in 25:

25 If your brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, then his nearest redeemer shall come and redeem what his brother has sold.

Naomi considered the above laws. There was no man in her house. She wanted to sell her dead husband's field to a kinsman redeemer so that her daughter-in-law Ruth would have children. That was the best plan. The redeemer would care for Naomi, the land, and Ruth and produce descendants.

Naomi advised her daughter-in-law in Ruth 3:

4 when he [Boaz] lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.”

Ruth lying down at Boaz's feet was a humble gesture.

Uncovering Boaz's feet alluded to his responsibility in (extended) levirate marriage (Deu 25:5).

7 when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

Naomi reminded Boaz's responsibility as a redeemer (Lev 25:25).

Why did Ruth uncover Boaz's feet?

1. It demonstrated her humble submission to Boaz.
2. It suggested a marriage proposal.
3. It reminded him of his responsibility in extended levirate marriage.
4. Ruth appealed to him for protection as her redeemer.

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

It could be more than that - Naomi schemed the prospective marriage with Boaz and instructed Ruth to:
- wash, put on best clothes and perfume
- go there at night-time (=unseen)
- wait until Boaz had finished eating/drinking (possibly wine) and had gone to bed

'Feet' in the TNK/OT is also used as a euphemism for genitals (Exodus 4:25, Isaiah 7:20).

Ruth request to 'Spread your garment over your servant, for you are a redeemer” (Ruth 3:9)' is a marriage request - a request for redemption/salvation, not a proposal - only a man could propose.

It could be Naomi counted on Boaz being intimate with Ruth in his vulnerable position at night-time, fed with food/drink and a woman at her fairest available, upon which Boaz would be forced to marry her anyway. Naomi's advice clearly was intended to present Ruth as alluring as possible, Boaz as vulnerable as possible and the whole situation as discrete/private as possible. I would not expect that to be the case when it was just a (levirate) redemption marriage request - that could be out in the open.

 

[bèlla]

Boaz instructed them not to reveal she'd been there because of the impropriety and assumptions that follow. Naomi knew he'd do the right thing based on his character and behavior towards Ruth thus far. And she never went home empty handed which demonstrated his concern for her.

The theme of the story is chesed (loving kindness). Ruth's towards Naomi (a vow to remain) and Boaz's to them both (a vow to provide through marriage).

~bella

 

[tturt]

Also, "So there were

14 generations from Abraham to David,
14 generations from David until the exile to Babylon,
14 generations from the exile until the Messiah."

including:
'Salmon and Rahab were the father and mother of Boaz.
Boaz and Ruth were the father and mother of Obed.
Obed was the father of Jesse," Matt 1:5, 17