Ruth 3:11
“And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Boaz reassures Ruth, promising to do all she asks, for the whole town knows her to be virtuous.
What Does Ruth 3:11 Mean?
Boaz sets Ruth's heart at ease: fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest. He pledges to fulfill her appeal. And he gives the reason her request is honorable: all the city of my people knows that she is a virtuous woman. Ruth's character is not in doubt; her reputation for worth and integrity is established throughout Bethlehem.
The phrase virtuous woman uses the same word of strength and worth applied earlier to Boaz himself, the mighty man of valor. Ruth is his match in character, a woman of valor. Her quiet faithfulness through grief and labor has become known to all, and now it is honored. There is a beautiful lesson here: a life of steady integrity speaks for itself, earning a trust that opens doors. Boaz responds to Ruth not merely with affection but with respect for the godly character the whole town has witnessed. The Lord honors those whose worth is proven in faithful living, and He brings their reward in due time.
In the Original Language
chayil (חַיִל), 'virtuous' — strength, worth, and excellence of character; the same word Boaz bears as a 'mighty man,' marking Ruth his equal in valor.