And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
When he lies down to sleep, notice where he rests. Then go quietly, uncover his feet, and lie down there. He will tell you what to do next.
Naomi is giving Ruth specific instructions for approaching Boaz in a culturally appropriate way to request his protection and provision as their family redeemer.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, uncovering someone's feet and lying at them was a symbolic act of humility and a request for protection, similar to seeking refuge under someone's cloak. Naomi was instructing Ruth in the proper cultural protocol for asking Boaz, as their nearest male relative, to fulfill his duty as a 'kinsman-redeemer' - to marry Ruth and provide for their family line.
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