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Removing Ruth: Tiqqune Sopherim in Ruth 3.3-4?

Knox College, University of Toronto, 59 St George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2E6, Canada

Commentators on Ruth 3.3-4 often pause to note the kethib—qere found in these verses, explaining the unusual form of the kethibs and as archaic second feminine singular perfects. This article suggests that the kethib forms found in Ruth 3.3-4 are not archaic, but are the result of an intentional emendation of the text by a scribe intent on reconciling the passage with the teaching of the Torah. The effect of this change is to remove Ruth from any possible intimate encounter with Boaz and replace her with Naomi. Thus, these two readings should be considered as an unrecognized occurrence of tiqqune sopherim.

Key Words: Ruth • Naomi • Boaz • tiqqune sopherim • scribal emendation • kethib—qere • threshing floor • sex in the Bible.

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