What Does Ruth 3:17 Mean in the King James?

And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

Ruth 3:17 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The word “empty” is answered not with reassurance but with barley Ruth can carry to Naomi.

THE MEANING

Six measures of barley make care tangible: provision moves through Ruth toward Naomi. A return that could hold only emptiness instead carries something they can touch and share. The verse holds open the possibility that one person’s giving reaches another through the bond between them.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie this verse undoes is that returning from vulnerability must mean returning empty-handed.

THE ROOT

רֵיקָם

reikām

GROWS FROM

ריק

r-y-q

To be empty or to make empty.

“empty” in this verse is reikām. ⁨רֵיקָם⁩ describes more than an inward feeling of lack: it pictures coming or going with nothing in one’s hands. The barley answers that emptiness materially, carried through Ruth to Naomi.

ALSO GROWS

rîq: Emptiness, vanity, or what has no substance.

רִיק

This noun shows the root can name emptiness itself, the condition Ruth is told not to bring to Naomi.

hērîq: To empty out or pour out.

הֵרִיק

This form makes emptiness something that can be brought about; here, what might have remained empty is met with a gift.

THE PATTERN

Scripture marks a just passage onward by whether the one who leaves is sent empty-handed or carrying provision.

And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:

Exodus 3:21 · KJVThose leaving Egypt are promised provision for the journey, just as Ruth carries barley on her return.

And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:

Deuteronomy 15:13 · KJVFreedom includes sending a person onward with something in hand, rather than leaving them without provision.

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Luke 1:53 · KJVThe verse turns the pattern around: the hungry receive good things, while the rich are the ones sent away empty.

THE THREAD

And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:

Exodus 3:21 · KJV

The same Hebrew word, ⁨רֵיקָם⁩ (reikām, empty-handed), marks Israel’s departure from Egypt and Ruth’s return to Naomi. The shared word links both passages through a journey answered with provision in hand.

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