Ruth 3:17
New International Version
and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

New Living Translation
and she added, “He gave me these six scoops of barley and said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

English Standard Version
saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’”

Berean Standard Bible
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.’ ”

King James Bible
And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

New King James Version
And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
She also said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

NASB 1995
She said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

NASB 1977
And she said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
She said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty.’”

Amplified Bible
She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley, and he said to me, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

Christian Standard Bible
She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley, because he said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley, because he said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

American Standard Version
And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.

Contemporary English Version
She also said, "Boaz gave me this grain, because he didn't want me to come back without something for you."

English Revised Version
And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
She said, "He gave me these six measures of barley and told me not to come back to you empty-handed."

Good News Translation
She added, "He told me I must not come back to you empty-handed, so he gave me all this barley."

International Standard Version
Ruth also said, "He gave me these six units of barley and told me, 'Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"

Majority Standard Bible
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.’”

NET Bible
She said, "He gave me these sixty pounds of barley, for he said to me, 'Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"

New Heart English Bible
She said, "He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said to me, 'Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
And she said, These six measures of barley he gave me; for he said to me, Go not empty to thy mother-in-law.

World English Bible
She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And she says, “These six [measures] of barley he has given to me, for he said, You do not go in empty to your mother-in-law.”

Young's Literal Translation
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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And she will say, These six of barley he gave to me; for he said, Thou shalt not go empty to thy mother-in-law.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And she said, “Behold, he gave me six measures of barley, for he said, ‘I am not willing to have you return empty to your mother-in-law.’ ”

New American Bible
and concluded, “He gave me these six measures of barley and said, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
saying, “He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And how he had given her six measures of barley, and had said to her, Go not empty-handed to your mother-in-law.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And that he gave her six measures of barley and that he said to her, “You shall not enter to your mother in law with nothing”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And she said: 'These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me: Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And she said to her, He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said to me, Go not empty to thy mother-in-law.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ruth Claims Boaz as Kinsman
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.”…

Cross References
Ruth 2:14-16
At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here; have some bread and dip it into the vinegar sauce.” So she sat down beside the harvesters, and he offered her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied and had some left over. / When Ruth got up to glean, Boaz ordered his young men, “Even if she gathers among the sheaves, do not insult her. / Rather, pull out for her some stalks from the bundles and leave them for her to gather. Do not rebuke her.”

Ruth 4:10
Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.”

Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. ...

Genesis 24:22
And after the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring weighing a beka, and two gold bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels.

Genesis 24:53
Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother.

1 Samuel 9:7-8
“If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” / The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.”

1 Samuel 25:18-19
Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys / and said to her young men, “Go ahead of me. I will be right behind you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

2 Samuel 16:1-2
When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. / “Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

2 Kings 4:42
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha.

Nehemiah 5:11
Please restore to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and oil that you have been assessing them.”

Esther 2:18
Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax holiday in the provinces and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty.

Job 42:11
All his brothers and sisters and prior acquaintances came and dined with him in his house. They consoled him and comforted him over all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. And each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.

Isaiah 32:8
But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.

Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 7:11
So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!


Treasury of Scripture

And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty to your mother in law.

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Ruth 3
1. By Naomi's instruction
5. Ruth lies at Boaz's feet
8. Boaz acknowledges the right of a kinsman
14. He sends her away with six measures of barley














He gave me
This phrase highlights Boaz's generosity and kindness. In the Hebrew context, the act of giving is deeply rooted in the concept of hesed, or loving-kindness, which is a central theme in the Book of Ruth. Boaz's actions reflect God's covenantal love and faithfulness, serving as a model for how believers are to treat one another.

these six measures of barley
The specific mention of "six measures" is significant. In ancient times, barley was a staple grain, symbolizing sustenance and provision. The number six, just shy of seven, which often represents completeness in the Bible, may suggest that Boaz's provision is abundant yet anticipates a future completion or fulfillment, possibly hinting at the forthcoming marriage between Boaz and Ruth.

for he said
This phrase indicates that Boaz's actions were intentional and purposeful. His words carry authority and reveal his character as a man of integrity and foresight. In the cultural context, verbal communication was a powerful tool for conveying intentions and promises, underscoring the importance of Boaz's statement.

‘Do not go back
This directive from Boaz is both practical and symbolic. Practically, it ensures Ruth's safety and well-being as she returns to Naomi. Symbolically, it represents a transition from emptiness to fullness, a recurring theme in Ruth's journey from Moab to Bethlehem.

to your mother-in-law
Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, is a pivotal character in the narrative. Her relationship with Ruth is marked by mutual loyalty and love. The mention of Naomi here emphasizes the restoration of her fortunes through Ruth's actions and Boaz's kindness, highlighting the communal aspect of God's redemptive work.

empty-handed
The term "empty-handed" contrasts with Naomi's earlier lament in Ruth 1:21, where she describes returning to Bethlehem empty. This phrase signifies a reversal of fortune, illustrating God's providence and the transformative power of faithfulness and obedience. It serves as a reminder that God fills the empty spaces in our lives with His abundance and grace.

Verse 17. - And she said, These six measures of barley he gave to me; for he said, Thou must not go empty to thy mother-in-law. The C'tib omission of "to me" after "for he said" is most likely to be the original reading. A fastidious Rabbi would rather originate this insertion than the omission.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And she said,
וַתֹּ֕אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“He gave
נָ֣תַן (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

me these
הָאֵ֖לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

six
שֵׁשׁ־ (šêš-)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

measures of barley,
הַשְּׂעֹרִ֥ים (haś·śə·‘ō·rîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8184: Barley

for
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he said,
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Do not
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 408: Not

go back
תָּב֥וֹאִי (tā·ḇō·w·’î)
Pd | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

your mother-in-law
חֲמוֹתֵֽךְ׃ (ḥă·mō·w·ṯêḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 2545: Husband's mother

empty-handed.’”
רֵיקָ֖ם (rê·qām)
Adverb
Strong's 7387: Emptily, ineffectually, undeservedly


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OT History: Ruth 3:17 She said These six measures of barley (Ru Rut.)
Ruth 3:16
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