kanaph

What it means

Means a bird's wing, and also the edge or corner of a garment. Boaz blesses Ruth for taking refuge under God's wings (2:12); later Ruth asks Boaz to spread his wing over her (3:9). The repeated word suggests Boaz becomes part of God's answer.

Range of meaning

• A wingA bird's wing, and so a picture of shelter.
• Corner or edge of a garmentThe hem or flap of a cloak.
• The far edge of somethingAs in "the ends of the earth."

In Ruth

• Chapter 2

  Boaz speaks of Ruth taking refuge under God's "wings" (2:12). Watch for this word again in Chapter 3.

• Chapter 3

  Ruth asks Boaz to spread his "wing" (the corner of his garment) over her (3:9), echoing 2:12.