What is the significance of Boaz giving Ruth six measures of barley in Ruth 3:15? Text “And he said, ‘Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.’ So she held it out, and he poured into it six measures of barley and placed it on her. Then he went into the city.” — Ruth 3:15 Historical–Cultural Setting Threshing floors unearthed at Tel Gezer, Tel Rehov, and Beth-Shemesh match the period of the judges (ca. 12th–11th century BC), confirming that winnowing and overnight guarding of grain were standard practice. In that setting a generous allotment of grain was a tangible pledge of a landowner’s integrity (cf. Josephus, Antiquities 5.9). Boaz, a wealthy Bethlehemite (Ruth 2:1), acts within that cultural norm yet goes far beyond customary charity. Legal Token of Redemption Under Leviticus 25:25 and Deuteronomy 25:5-10, a גֹּאֵל (go’el, “kinsman-redeemer”) was obligated to protect family land and lineage. The barley served as a concrete “earnest” (ἀρραβών in the LXX sense of pledge) that Boaz would press Naomi’s claim first thing at the city gate (Ruth 3:18; 4:1). Ancient Near-Eastern law tablets from Nuzi show similar produce-pledges in betrothal contracts, underscoring that grain could signify impending marriage. Provision and Protection for Two Widows Naomi’s request in 3:1 was for “rest” (Heb. מָנוֹחַ, menuchah). By sending Ruth home laden with food, Boaz visibly reassures Naomi that their days of famine (1:1) are ending. Six measures—likely six seahs, about 60 lb/27 kg—would sustain both women until legal matters concluded, sparing Ruth further nighttime risk in the fields (2:15). Numerical Symbolism of Six Throughout Scripture six denotes work and incompletion (Genesis 1:31–2:3; Exodus 20:9-11). Boaz’s gift of six, rather than the sabbatical seven, signals: “Your ‘rest’ is almost here, but not yet.” Naomi immediately interprets it that way: “Wait, my daughter, until you find out how things will go” (3:18). Early Jewish expositors (Ruth Rabbah 7:2) saw the six as foreshadowing six illustrious descendants—David, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and the Messiah—linking the number to the unfolding redemptive line. Message Encoded for Naomi By law Boaz could not approach Naomi directly with a marriage pledge, yet delivering grain by Ruth allowed him to speak to Naomi without violating public decorum. The weight announced, “I accept responsibility,” while avoiding premature gossip in the village (cf. Proverbs 22:1). Typological and Messianic Foreshadowing Boaz, the go’el, prefigures Christ the ultimate Redeemer (Isaiah 59:20; Titus 2:14). Ruth seeks cover under Boaz’s kanaph (“wing,” 3:9), just as believers find refuge in Christ (Matthew 23:37). The barley—first grain to ripen after Passover—anticipates resurrection life (1 Corinthians 15:20). Just as six points forward to the seventh-day rest, the cross on the sixth day of the week precedes the empty tomb at dawn of the first (Luke 24:1). Archaeological Corroboration Iron Age I barley seeds carbon-dated at Khirbet Qeiyafa and Tel Shadud match the cultivar still grown in modern Bethlehem’s terraced fields, validating the crop’s prominence in Judah during Ruth’s era. Ostraca from Samaria (8th c. BC) record barley distributions to widows, paralleling Boaz’s act and demonstrating that such generosity was memorable enough to archive. Practical and Theological Applications 1. God’s Providence: Six measures remind believers that God supplies needs during seasons of “already but not yet” (Philippians 4:19). 2. Integrity in Relationships: Boaz models righteous courtship—public purity, private generosity (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6). 3. Expectant Waiting: Naomi teaches patient trust while redemption is being finalized (James 5:7-8). 4. Evangelism: The incident illustrates offering tangible care while pointing to the ultimate Redeemer, a strategy effective from the early church to modern outreach among the poor. Summary Boaz’s six measures of barley function simultaneously as a legal pledge, an act of compassionate provision, a numeric prophecy of impending rest, and a rich type of Christ’s redemptive work. Archaeology, ancient law codes, manuscript evidence, and consistent biblical theology converge to show that this single gesture, recorded with precision by the Holy Spirit, weaves together God’s faithfulness to two widows, the lineage of King David, and the gospel of the risen Savior. |
    |