3:3a

Therefore: In Hebrew, this sentence starts with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore. It begins a series of instructions from Naomi to Ruth. So far, Naomi’s speech to Ruth which began in 3:1b has been describing a situation. Here in 3:3a she switched to giving instructions.

Here are some ways to introduce the series of instructions:

So… (NET Bible)
-or-
Now do as I tell you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Therefore I want you to…
-or-
You should… (CEB)

Consider the way that your language naturally switches from describing the important facts about a situation to giving instructions.

wash yourself, put on perfume: Naomi told Ruth to wash yourself, which means to bathe. The verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as put on perfume means to “anoint” or “apply oils or perfumes to the body.” Perfumed oil was a luxury item. Poor people would have used it only on special occasions.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

So bathe yourself, rub on some perfumed oil (NET Bible)
-or-
take a bath and put on perfume (New Living Translation (2004))

and wear your best clothes: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and wear your best clothes is literally “and you will put your clothing on yourself.” There is no Hebrew word that means best here, but many translations supply a description of the clothes as “best,” “nice,” or “good,” because it fits the context.

clothes: There is a textual issue here:

(1) In some Hebrew manuscripts the word for clothes is plural and refers to clothing in general. For example:

and put on your best clothes (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) In other Hebrew manuscripts and in the LXX, the word for clothes is singular, referring specifically to a “cloak,” “robe,” or “outer garment.” For example:

and put on your cloak (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. Also, it has strong manuscript support.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and dress in your nicest clothes (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and get dressed up (NET Bible)
-or-
dress up (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

3:3b

Go down to the threshing floor: Bethlehem was built on a hill that is higher than the surrounding land. A person would need to Go down to get to any place nearby. Threshing floors were also located on the tops or ridges of hills in order to catch good wind for blowing away the chaff. The threshing floor where Boaz worked was probably on the top of a lower hill close to Bethlehem.

In some languages, it may not be natural to say “go down” if a person goes slightly downhill. If that is true in your language, see the last three examples below.

Then go down ⌊the hill⌋ to the threshing place
-or-
After that, go over to the place where they crush/thresh the grain
-or-
Then go to the threshing floor (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

Go where he is working (Contemporary English Version)

3:3c

but: The instructions in 3:3a-b have all been positive commands (“wash…put on…wear…Go down…”). Here in 3:3c, she gave a negative command, telling Ruth what not to do. The Hebrew text does not use any conjunction here. In many languages, it will be natural to use a conjunction that indicates contrast. For example:

However,
-or-
But be careful…
-or-
But make sure…

do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking: Naomi told Ruth to remain out of Boaz’s sight until he had finished eating and had gone to sleep.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Do not let him recognize you while he is still eating and drinking
-or-
but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
but don’t let him recognize you. Once he’s finished eating and drinking,… (FBV)

In some languages, it may be more natural to use a positive command here rather than a negative one. For example:

But keep yourself out of his sight while…
-or-
But stay hidden until…

the man: There are three ways to translate this phrase:

• Translate it literally as the man, as in the Berean Standard Bible.

• Use the pronoun “him.”

• Refer to him by his name “Boaz.”

eating and drinking: The phrase eating and drinking is a Hebrew idiom that means “having a meal.”

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