Feet, Fear, and Form: The Binyanim Behind Ruth’s Nighttime Mission

וִיהִ֣י בְשָׁכְבֹ֗ו וְיָדַ֨עַתְּ֙ אֶת־הַמָּקֹום֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִשְׁכַּב־שָׁ֔ם וּבָ֛את וְגִלִּ֥ית מַרְגְּלֹתָ֖יו וְשָׁכַבְתְּ וְהוּא֙ יַגִּ֣יד לָ֔ךְ אֵ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעַשִֽׂין׃
(Ruth 3:4)

And it shall be when he lies down that you shall observe the place where he lies and you shall come and uncover his feet and lie down and he will tell you what you shall do

Obedience and Uncovering in Grammatical Tension

In this dramatic instruction to Ruth from Naomi, a bold plan unfolds: approach Boaz at night, uncover his feet, lie down, and wait for his direction. The verbs in this verse choreograph Ruth’s role step by step, but not just narratively. Their binyanim build a mood of solemn tension, careful obedience, and suspense. The binyanim Qal, Piel, and Hiphil provide the verbal scaffolding for one of the most delicate scenes in biblical narrative.

Verb-by-Verb Analysis

1. יִשְׁכַּב — He lies down

• Root: שׁ־כ־ב (“to lie down”)
• Binyan: Qal (imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular)
• Function: Describes Boaz’s resting action
• Voice: Active
• Syntactic Note: Used conditionally: “When he lies down…”
• Effect: Qal here reflects ordinary bodily action, helping ground the narrative in realism.

2. יָדַעַתְּ — You shall know

• Root: י־ד־ע (“to know”)
• Binyan: Qal (perfect, 2nd person feminine singular)
• Context: Instruction to Ruth—observe and identify the exact spot where Boaz is sleeping
• Voice: Active
• Semantic Force: “Knowing” here is active and careful observation—it is a necessary prelude to the rest of the action.

3. וּבָאת — And you shall come

• Root: ב־וֹ־א (“to come, enter”)
• Binyan: Qal (perfect with conversive vav, 2nd person feminine singular)
• Voice: Active
• Function: Sequential action: “after knowing, come to him”

4. גִּלִּית — You shall uncover

• Root: ג־ל־ה (“to uncover, reveal”)
• Binyan: Piel (perfect with conversive vav, 2nd person feminine singular)
• Voice: Active, intensive
• Why Piel?: The Piel adds deliberate action and emotional intensity. This is not accidental exposure—it is symbolic and deliberate, tied to ancient legal custom (possibly invoking levirate overtones or submission).

5. שָׁכַבְתְּ — You shall lie down

• Root: שׁ־כ־ב
• Binyan: Qal (perfect with conversive vav, 2nd person feminine singular)
• Voice: Active
• Comment: Like Boaz’s earlier action, this verb is simple but loaded—it marks obedience, submission, and trust in Naomi’s plan.

6. יַגִּיד — He will declare

• Root: נ־ג־ד (“to declare, inform”)
• Binyan: Hiphil (imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular)
• Voice: Causative
• Force: Boaz will cause knowledge to be known—he will “make it clear” what Ruth should do next
• Significance: The only Hiphil in the verse, it shifts agency to Boaz. Until now, Ruth is the one acting; from here, Boaz will determine the course.

7. תַעֲשִׂין — You shall do

• Root: ע־שׂ־ה (“to do”)
• Binyan: Qal (imperfect, 2nd person feminine singular)
• Voice: Active
• Function: Anticipates Ruth’s obedient action based on Boaz’s instruction

Table of Binyanim in Ruth 3:4

How the Binyan Shapes the Subtext

The dominant binyan in this verse is Qal, the default narrative stem. It moves Ruth through her actions simply, but not passively. Each Qal verb is deliberate and obedient. The one Piel verb, גִּלִּית, is the most daring moment. It heightens intensity and ritual intimacy. The only Hiphil verb, יַגִּיד, transfers control to Boaz.

Thus, binyanim mirror the choreography of submission and responsibility. Ruth obeys, Boaz responds, and everything turns on a Piel uncovering and a Hiphil declaration.

The Binyanim Beneath the Terebinth

In a hushed night scene, Ruth risks everything. But she moves not through chance, but through grammatically defined precision. The verbs, like footsteps, are careful and exact. The Qal gives her presence, the Piel gives her boldness, and the Hiphil passes the narrative into Boaz’s hands.

That’s how Ruth 3:4 uses binyanim to walk the line between modesty and risk, obedience and empowerment.