1 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you ?
2 Now isn’t Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were ? Behold, he will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor.
3 Therefore wash yourself, anoint yourself, get dressed, and go down to the threshing floor ; but don’t make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
4 It shall be, when he lies down, that you shall note the place where he is lying. Then you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down. Then he will tell you what to do.”
5 She said to her, “All that you say, I will do.”
Note · Ruth 3.1–5
Le projet de Naomi cherche un avenir au-delà de la récolte
Le repos qu’elle souhaite reprend celui demandé pour ses belles-filles au chapitre 1. La toilette, les vêtements et le déplacement à l’aire préparent une rencontre qui expose Ruth. Le récit ne fournit pas un conseil universel de séduction : une coutume ancienne ne doit pas être transformée en obligation de se mettre en danger pour obtenir protection ou mariage.
6 She went down to the threshing floor, and did everything that her mother-in-law told her.
7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. She came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.
8 At midnight, the man was startled and turned himself ; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9 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.”
Note · Ruth 3.6–9
Ruth ne demande pas seulement qu’on lui dise quoi faire
Lorsque Boaz se réveille, elle donne son nom puis demande l’extension de son aile, en invoquant sa responsabilité de parent. La scène porte une proximité et une tension réelles ; elle ne décrit pas explicitement une relation sexuelle. Une note ne doit ni affirmer un rapport qui n’est pas raconté ni prétendre dissiper toutes les ambiguïtés du langage. La demande engage l’union et la protection.
10 He said, “You are blessed by Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn’t follow young men, whether poor or rich.
11 Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do to you all that you say ; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman.
12 Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I.
13 Stay this night, and in the morning, if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, as Yahweh lives. Lie down until the morning.”
Note · Ruth 3.10–13
La reconnaissance de Ruth accompagne une limite à respecter
Boaz loue sa fidélité et reconnaît publiquement connue la valeur de sa conduite. Il accepte d’agir, mais rappelle le droit d’un parent plus proche. Il n’est pas présenté comme le frère du mari défunt : le rachat familial et le souci de maintenir un nom se rejoignent ici sans reproduire simplement, à l’identique, le lévirat de Deutéronome 25.5-10.
14 She lay at his feet until the morning, then she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
15 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.
16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter ?” She told her all that the man had done for her.
17 She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley ; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’”
18 Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know what will happen ; for the man will not rest until he has settled this today.”
Note · Ruth 3.14–18
L’attente est soutenue par un engagement et un don
Ruth repart avec de l’orge et raconte l’événement à Naomi. Ne pas rentrer à vide fait contraste avec les mains vides du premier chapitre. La discrétion du départ ne prouve pas qu’un acte sexuel aurait eu lieu ; elle montre aussi l’enjeu social d’une présence nocturne. Naomi peut maintenant attendre une démarche précise, et non seulement espérer une faveur indéfinie.