Why does Ruth 3:15 mention both "cloak" and "shawl" in different Bible translations? Primary Hebrew Vocabulary The Masoretic Text reads, וַיֹּאמֶר הָבִי הַמִּטְפָּחַת (wayyōmer hāḇî ha-mitpāḥat), literally, “And he said, ‘Bring the mitpāḥat that is on you.’ ” • Mitpāḥat (מִטְפָּחַת) appears only twice in the Old Testament (Ruth 3:15; Isaiah 3:22). • Root meaning: “to spread out, to wrap.” • Semantic range: wrapper, cloak, mantle, shawl, veil—any flexible cloth large enough to envelop and, when needed, to carry goods. Because English has no single exact equivalent, translators choose any of several close synonyms. Hence “cloak” (ESV, CSB), “shawl” (NIV), “mantle” (NASB 1995), or “veil” (KJV 1769). Ancient Near-Eastern Garment Usage Archaeology (e.g., 12th-century B.C. figurines from Beth-Shean) shows outer squares of wool, tied or clasped, worn by both sexes for warmth, modesty, and carrying produce. Bedouin women in modern Jordan still knot the over-robe’s corners to form a pouch—direct continuity with Ruth’s action. Thus either “cloak” (an outer wrap) or “shawl” (a large scarf-like covering) is valid. Septuagint and Early Versions The Greek LXX renders πέπλον (peplon)—a broad rectangular cloth. The Vulgate has pallium. Both correspond to a wraparound outer garment, so later English translators were free to pick any synonymous term. Reformation-Era English Tradition • Coverdale (1535): “thy mantle.” • Geneva (1560): “thy cloke.” • KJV (1611): “thy vail.” Early Modern English used “veil” for any draped cloth, not merely a face covering. Modern translations adjust to contemporary usage, opting for “shawl” or “cloak” to avoid confusion. Why Two English Words Persist 1. Lexical breadth: one Hebrew word, several English possibilities. 2. Translator preference: committees weigh clarity, cadence, and readership familiarity. 3. Cultural resonance: “cloak” evokes an outer coat; “shawl” signals a feminine wrap; both suit the context of a young Moabite widow on a threshing floor. Theological Implications Regardless of term, the passage highlights Boaz’s provision and Ruth’s obedient faith. The six measures of barley foreshadow divine sufficiency and point ultimately to the generosity realized in Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9). Word choice does not affect doctrine; Scripture’s unity stands. Practical Application Readers need not stumble over differing English renderings. Picture Ruth gathering her outer wrap, stretching it wide, and receiving an overflowing gift. Such imagery invites believers to “open wide your mouth, and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10). Conclusion “Cloak” and “shawl” reflect the same Hebrew mitpāḥat, preserved uniformly in the manuscripts God has safeguarded. Translation variety enriches, rather than undermines, our grasp of a text that consistently testifies to Yahweh’s covenant kindness reaching its climax in the risen Christ. |
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