Definition: Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: [but] make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ruth 3. It’s a really important and slightly unusual passage! Here's what it means in plain language: Basically, this verse is telling us to be completely humble and obedient to God. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “Wash thyself”: This means to cleanse yourself. It’s about purifying yourself – removing anything that might distract you from God. “and anoint thee”: This signifies a special honor or blessing, like being treated with respect and reverence. “put thy raiment upon thee”: This refers to taking off your clothes, signifying surrender and submission. It's about stripping yourself of pride and self-importance. “get thee down to the floor”: This is a very unusual instruction! It means to lower yourself completely on the ground. “but make not thyself known unto the man”: This is the crucial part. It's saying do not reveal your presence or actions to anyone. You should remain hidden and unassuming. “until he shall have done eating and drinking”: This means you shouldn’t be seen, heard, or acknowledged until this person has finished their meal and drink. So, the whole verse is a command to show humility and obedience to God by remaining quiet and unassuming. It's about prioritizing God’s presence over your own self-importance. What does it mean in context? This passage comes from a story about Ruth, a Moabite woman who marries a man from Israel. Ruth is incredibly faithful and kind, and her actions demonstrate a willingness to obey God even when it's difficult. This verse emphasizes the importance of humility – recognizing your dependence on God and offering Him gratitude for His blessings. In essence, it’s a reminder to be a humble servant of God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss a specific theme from this passage (like obedience or humility)?