The second person verb forms that occur in Ruth 3.4 (ושׁכבתי) and 4.5 (קניתי)
are quite anomalous because elsewhere throughout the text we see these
characters use the ‘normal’ forms of the second person verbs. I wonder
whether here we do not have two Freudian slips (excuse the anachronism) in
which the two older characters (Naomi and Boaz) both reveal the hidden
feelings for the person of their affection (Naomi for Boaz; Boaz for Ruth).
Thoughts welcome.
GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
www.moore.edu.au