He said, “Who are you?” She answered, “I am Ruth your servant. Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your servant; for you are a near kinsman.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 9. Kinsman. Hebrew “a redeemer;” ( Calmet.) one bound to defend and to espouse a brother’s widow, if others more nearly akin refuse. Bible.—Ruth modestly admonishes him of this duty, and begs that he would take her to wife, ( Calmet.) as he might then have done without any other formality. Serar. q. vii.—We find a similar expression, Ezekiel 16:8. Deuteronomy 22:30. Some think that she only asked for protection. The custom of the husband, stretching a part of his garment over his bride, was perhaps already established among the Hebrews. Calmet.—Hebrew and Septuagint “stretch thy wing over,” and so forth Chal. “Let thy name be invoked upon thy handmaid, to take me to wife.” Menochius. Isaiah 4:1.