At midnight Boaz was startled awake and found Ruth lying at his feet. Ruth identified herself and said, “Spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman,” requesting that Boaz marry her and become her protector according to the levirate law. Similar symbolism is found in 1 Samuel 18:3–4 when Jonathan demonstrated his desire to protect David by taking off his cloak and giving it to David.

The word translated as “skirt” in verse 9 is translated in most other places in the Old Testament as “wing.” The word translated as “kinsman” is go‘el. Using the metaphor of a wing covering Ruth brings a symbol of the Atonement into the story. The Hebrew word for atonement is kawfar, which means “to cover.” Thus Ruth is calling on the go‘el to cover and protect her just as the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers and protect us.

Boaz acknowledged that Ruth was a virtuous woman and was known as such throughout the city. The Hebrew word used here for “virtuous” is chayil and refers to traits of “strength, ability, and wealth.”

Boaz also acknowledged that he was a relative in line to be the go‘el but said there was another man who was a closer relative and should be consulted first. He told Ruth to wait until the morning, when he would approach the other relative. If that man would not perform the redeemer role, Boaz would be Ruth’s redeemer, or go‘el.

To protect Ruth’s reputation, Boaz told Ruth to leave before anyone saw her.

Before she left, Boaz filled her shawl with barley to take home to Naomi, which further emphasized his intent to fulfill the promises he had made to her.

When Ruth returned to Naomi, she explained everything that had happened, and Naomi, knowing the character of Boaz, told her that he would indeed do that very day what he had promised.