The Bible In Paintings: RUTH PROPOSES, BOAZ ACCEPTS!

[Hebrews 11:6]

The Bible In Paintings 2
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR APPRECIATING AND APPLYING GOD'S MESSAGE

R U T H
CHAPTER 3

One day Naomi said to her, “My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you? Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”

“I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.

1
RUTH COLLET
"Ruth came softly and uncovered his feet and
laid her down as Naomi had instructed her"

2
CHANA HELEN ROSENBERG
"Ruth and Boaz"

3
RICHARD MCBEE
"Ruth Approaches Boaz"

4
MILO SHOR
"Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor"

5
FRÉDÉRIC BAZILLE
"Ruth and Boaz"

6

7
JANNES DE VRIES
"Ruth and Boaz"

8
ALEXANDRE CABANEL
"Ruth et Booz"

In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.

“Who are you?” he asked.

9
CHARLES LOCK EASTLAKE
"Boaz and Ruth"

10

11
JAMES TISSOT
Source

12
Source

13
Source

14

“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman- redeemer.”

“The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it.”

15
SIMEON SOLOMON
"Ruth and Boaz"

16

17
KATHY HAUGE
"Ruth and Boaz"

18

19

20
NICK MYNHEER
"Ruth and Boaz"

21
DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI
"Ruth and Boaz"

22
LOUIS HERSENT
"Ruth et Booz"

So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “Don’t let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor.”

He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went back to town.

23

24

25
REMBRANDT
"Boaz Pouring Six Measures of Barley into Ruth's Veil"

26

27

"Boaz and Ruth"

When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?” Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her.

Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

New International Version ©1984, Abrdgd, EMPHASES Added
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[Hebrews 11:6]

R E S O U R C E S
Read RUTH 3 in full
Hear MAX McLEAN reading it
Hear a DRAMATIZATION of it
Read J-F-B's COMMENTARY
BIBLE TIMELINE

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[Hebrews 11:6]

R U T H
RUTH CLINGS TO NAOMI
RUTH THE GLEANER
RUTH PROPOSES, BOAZ ACCEPTS!
BOAZ REDEEMS & WEDS RUTH: OBED!
RUTH – BONUS COVERAGE

[z3n]

My, what big feet you have, Boaz

[Red Badger]

Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

Well, if she hadn’t woke him up in the middle of the night he’d have had a good night’s rest!..............

[Hebrews 11:6]

♫Getting to know you, getting to know all about you....♫

[Hebrews 11:6]

She did not awaken him: “something startled the man”.

[null and void]

Uncover his feet? I think I’m missing a cultural reference here.

[Red Badger]

If there was a strange woman lying on my feet I’d be startled too!................

[null and void]

#10 is oddly sweet.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Hoping some sage will ‘splain it to us....

[null and void]

I was hoping you were the sage on this one.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Have never been curious enough to research it.

[etabeta]

#8 by Cabanel; the very beautiful #13 and of course the glorious stained glass window at #27.
Boaz is a great example of how important generosity, integrity and compassion are in the character of a person.

[stars & stripes forever]

Beautiful story. Thank you for continuing this ministry.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Thank you Alba. Very well said.

[Hebrews 11:6]

So happy to be able to bring it to you, Debbie!

[spankalib]

Several commentators suggest it was a euphemism for sexual relations - I think I'm remembering a movie Streisand was in - Yentyl?- in which the picky/argumentative nature of (some?) Jewish rabbis was a highlight - in some of the rabbinical/orthodox analyses I briefly scanned, that seemed to be the consensus.

Others disagree, and (I tend to agree with them) - point to the integrity of both Ruth and Boaz, so that he would possibly grab his cloak to cover his feet - and "Who are you?" - continue reaching to cover her as well, symbolically taking over the job of protecting her: a symbolic "Yes, I'll marry you."

Interestingly, the artworks here seem almost evenly divided btwn interpretations; for the sexual side, look at # 22. Very suggestive, that.

Otoh, I like #5. Bazille was a "figure painter" liking nudes, etc. (BTW, he was somewhat heroic, leading a charge in the Franco-Prussian war, where he was killed at age 28. Sad, that.)

But note the great overall triangular balance: from Ruth to the crescent moon to Boaz. Also Bazille seems to strike, appropriately strike a delicate balance btwn the 2 interpretations. Ruth is hintingly voluptuous, with the large (able-to-bear-child) hips, yet she remains modestly at his feet. Boaz is drawn as significantly older (& who wouldn't want an attractive young girl at his feet?).

Yeah, I'd continue cloak-drawing over her, yesirree!

[Hebrews 11:6]

One of the greatest comments I’ve ever had on any thread, John, yesirree!

[null and void]

Excellent! Thanks!

[left that other site]

Good Morning, Dan! :-)