And it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall mark the place where he shall lie, and you shall go in, and uncover his feet, and lay down; and he will tell you what you shall do.
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Aquinas Study Bible
AD 2017
The custom in Israel was that the master held a great feast on the threshing floor for his boys and for his winnowers, and he slept on the threshing floor, abstaining from the embraces of women that night. The same thing happened at sheep-shearing and after the grape harvest. (Hugh of St. Cher Com Ruth)
Sleepeth. People of fortune did not disdain to sleep among the corn. Non pudor in stipulâ placid am cepisse quietem, Nec foenum capiti supposuisse suo.
-- Ovid, Fast. i. (Menochius)
Feet. It is said that women in the East, enter their husbands' bed at the feet, to show their submission. (Calmet)
Ruth was conducted on this occasion by a superior Being, who gave success to her undertaking, and disposed the mind of Booz (Theodoret) to grant her just claim. It was according to the law of Moses, that a widow might demand in marriage the next kinsman of her deceased husband, if she had no children by him. Ruth considered Booz in this light. (Haydock)
She was not actuated by a love of pleasure, as the latter was convinced, otherwise she would have desired to marry some young man, (Calmet) in her own country, ver. 10. Both parties would probably have their clothes on among the straw, so that there would be less danger; though, if their virtue had not been very constant, (Haydock) the situat...
