3:4 uncover his feet. A comparison of this scene with the history of Lot’s daughters (Gen. 19:30–38) is instructive. At Naomi’s suggestion, Ruth was approaching Boaz with some boldness. But her purpose was to become engaged. Her answer (v. 9) shows that she was not thinking of becoming pregnant outside wedlock.

lie down. Ruth lies patiently at Boaz’s feet until he wakes (vv. 8–9); nothing unseemly happens between them during the night (v. 11).