Why Does Ruth Uncover Boaz’s Feet?

“Ruth secretly came over, uncovered Boaz’s feet, and lay down next to his feet.”

—Ruth 3:7 (simplified)

What’s the significance of uncovering his feet? What’s the meaning behind lying down next to his uncovered feet?

Boaz was covered

It sounds like Boaz must have been sleeping under a blanket that covered his entire body to shelter and protect it from the elements. His feet would have been covered under this blanket too.

I think that Boaz’s blanket was a physical covering that represented the security that Ruth would have if she were married to him. If they were married, Ruth would be provided for and taken care of. She would be under the covering of Boaz’s provision and care.

Ruth created an entryway to Boaz’s covering

When Ruth “uncovered Boaz’s feet,” she was creating an opening in the blanket was covering him. At that point, his entire body would have been covered except for his feet. This opening created an entryway for someone new to enter under his blanket.

When she opened a doorway to his blanket, that symbolized opening a doorway to the covering of security he would provide if they were married.

Ruth waited at the entryway to Boaz’s covering

“Ruth secretly came over, uncovered Boaz’s feet, and lay down next to his feet.”

—Ruth 3:7 (simplified)

After uncovering Boaz’s feet, Ruth lay down next to his uncovered feet, as if politely waiting to be invited in. It would be like going up to someone who is under a blanket and asking, “Can I join?”

When Boaz woke up in the middle of the night and realized that there was woman lying at his feet, scripture says,

“Boaz asked, ‘Who’s there?’ Ruth answered, ‘It’s me, Ruth, your maid. Spread your covering over me because you are my redeemer.’

—Ruth 3:9

Ruth was waiting to be invited into Boaz’s physical blanket, but she was also waiting to be invited under the umbrella of Boaz’s love, protection, security, and care.