Ruth 3:8 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. The man was afraid, and turned himself - The verb ילפת yillapheth, which we render he turned himself, has puzzled even the Targumist, who translates the clause thus: "The man trembled, and his flesh became like a (boiled) turnip through fear." It is fully evident Boaz had no intimation of the present proceedings. To this verse the Targumist adds much; he says, "Boaz subdued his concupiscence, and acted towards her as Joseph did to the Egyptian wife of his master, and as Pelatiel, the son of Laish the pious, did to Michal, the daughter of Saul, the wife of David, who put a sword between Michal and himself, because he would not approach to her."

Ruth 3:8

8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turnedb himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.