He said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” She held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; then he went into the city.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 15. Mantle. The Syrian and Arab. ladies cover themselves all over with a large white veil, or piece of cloth, which has no hole”, so that Ruth might conveniently carry the barley in it.—Measures is not in Hebrew or Septuagint Most people supply ephi. S. Jerom, who has translated six bushels, (allowing three to the ephi; Calmet. 2:17,) has understood that Booz gave Ruth two ephi. If we explain it of six ephi, the burden would be great enough, consisting of 180 pints or pounds of barley. Bonfrere would supply six gomers, each of which consisted of only the tenth part of the ephi, or three pints, in all 18. But such a present seems too inconsiderable. We may therefore stick to S. Jerom, whose six measures ( Calmet.—modios, bushels; Bible.) make about 60 pints; ( Calmet.) or, according to others, 160 pounds, which, though heavy, a woman might carry. The Septuagint insinuate, that Ruth carried the barley in her apron. Menochius.—And. Hebrew “he went.” But the text is probably corrupted. Calmet.