וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ שְׁבִ֣י בִתִּ֔י עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽדְעִ֔ין אֵ֖יךְ יִפֹּ֣ל דָּבָ֑ר כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִשְׁקֹט֙ הָאִ֔ישׁ כִּֽי־אִם־כִּלָּ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַיֹּֽום׃
Contextual Introduction
Ruth 3:18 captures a moment of intense anticipation as Naomi counsels Ruth to wait for Boʿaz’s action. Following Ruth’s bold proposal at the threshing floor, the outcome now depends on Boʿaz fulfilling the role of go’el (kinsman-redeemer). The verse is rich in emotional and grammatical layers, blending imperative language, sequential narrative markers, and conditional clauses to portray both urgency and certainty in the unfolding drama of redemption.
Grammatical Focus: Imperative Syntax, Temporal Clause with עַד אֲשֶׁר, and Causal Intensification
1. וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ שְׁבִ֣י בִתִּ֔י – Narrative Verb and Imperative
– וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ (“and she said”) is wayyiqtol from אָמַר (“to say”), narrating Naomi’s speech.
– שְׁבִ֣י is a Qal imperative feminine singular from יָשַׁב (“to sit, dwell”), directed at Ruth, meaning “Sit.”
– בִתִּ֔י (“my daughter”) personalizes and softens the command, reflecting Naomi’s care.
2. עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽדְעִ֔ין אֵ֖יךְ יִפֹּ֣ל דָּבָ֑ר – Temporal Clause with Conditional Nuance
– עַד אֲשֶׁר (“until”) introduces a temporal waiting period.
– תֵּֽדְעִ֔ין (Qal imperfect 2fs from יָדַע) means “you will know.”
– אֵ֖יךְ יִפֹּ֣ל דָּבָ֑ר (“how the matter will fall”)—an idiomatic Hebrew expression meaning “how the matter will turn out.” יִפֹּ֣ל is Qal imperfect 3ms from נָפַל (“to fall”), metaphorically indicating resolution or outcome.
This clause urges Ruth to wait for the resolution of the uncertain situation.
3. כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִשְׁקֹט֙ הָאִ֔ישׁ – Causal Clause Expressing Determination
– כִּ֣י (“for”) introduces the reason Naomi is confident.
– לֹ֤א יִשְׁקֹט֙ (“he will not rest”) – יִשְׁקֹט is Qal imperfect 3ms from שָׁקַט (“to be still, rest”), negated with לֹא.
Boʿaz’s determination is highlighted—he will not be passive.
4. כִּֽי־אִם־כִּלָּ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַיֹּֽום – Causal-Conditional Clause Emphasizing Completion
– כִּֽי־אִם (“unless” or “rather”) sets up an emphatic conditional contrast: he will not rest except he finishes the matter.
– כִּלָּ֥ה (Piel perfect 3ms from כָּלָה “to complete, finish”) – intense completion.
– הַדָּבָ֖ר (“the matter”) refers to the redemption issue.
– הַיֹּֽום (“today”) situates the urgency—resolution must happen immediately.
Theological and Literary Implications
Theologically, Naomi’s certainty reflects trust in the righteous character of Boʿaz and the providential unfolding of YHWH’s purposes. Grammatically, the combination of imperatives and causal clauses mirrors the emotional journey: wait actively, trust the process, and anticipate imminent action.
The use of עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽדְעִ֔ין shows that waiting is not passive ignorance—it leads to revealed knowledge. Meanwhile, the repetition of הַדָּבָ֖ר frames the entire encounter as a divinely guided “matter,” moving toward fulfillment.
Ancient Versions and Linguistic Comparisons
The Septuagint reads: καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ, κάθου, θύγατερ, ἕως ἂν γνῷς πῶς ἀποβήσεται τὸ πρᾶγμα· οὐ γὰρ καταπαύσεται ὁ ἀνήρ, ἕως ἂν συντελέσῃ τὸ πρᾶγμα σήμερον—faithfully preserving the Hebrew’s intense urgency and conditional grammar.
The Vulgate: et ait: Sede filia mea donec videas quomodo res cadat: neque enim quiescet homo nisi compleverit rem hodie—similarly reflects the Hebrew emphasis on restlessness until completion.
Later Hebrew tends to formalize commands without the relational tenderness seen here (בִתִּי), highlighting the literary and theological richness of the biblical style.
When Waiting Is Faith: The Syntax of Redemption
Ruth 3:18 embodies the drama of trust through its grammar. The imperative שְׁבִ֣י, the temporal עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר clause, and the causal כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִשְׁקֹט֙ structure chart a journey not of passive resignation but of active expectancy. Here, the syntax itself invites the reader to sit with Ruth in patient hope, awaiting the completion of a matter that divine providence has already set in motion.
