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Ruth 2:2-7

Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I find favor.” She said to her, “Go, my daughter.”

She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “May Yahweh be with you.” They answered him, “May Yahweh bless you.”

Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, “Whose young lady is this?”

The servant who was set over the reapers answered, “It is the Moabite lady who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab. She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she rested a little in the house.”

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Ruth 2:2-7 sits inside this longer paragraph.

Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz. Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I find favor.” She said to her, “Go, my daughter.”

She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “May Yahweh be with you.” They answered him, “May Yahweh bless you.”

Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, “Whose young lady is this?”

The servant who was set over the reapers answered, “It is the Moabite lady who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab. She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she rested a little in the house.”

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I find favor.” She said to her, “Go, my daughter.”

    She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

    Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “May Yahweh be with you.” They answered him, “May Yahweh bless you.”

    Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, “Whose young lady is this?”

    The servant who was set over the reapers answered, “It is the Moabite lady who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab.

    She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she rested a little in the house.”

  • KJV King James Version

    And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

    And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

    And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

    Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

    And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

    And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi: 'Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find favour.' And she said unto her: 'Go, my daughter.'

    And she went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

    And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers: 'The LORD be with you.' And they answered him: 'The LORD bless thee.'

    Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers: 'Whose damsel is this?'

    And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said: 'It is a Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the field of Moab;

    and she said: Let me glean, I pray you, and gather after the reapers among the sheaves; so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, save that she tarried a little in the house.'

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Cross-references (43)

  • Psalms 129:7-8 (v4) with which the reaper doesn’t fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom. Neither do those who go by say, “The blessing of Yahweh…
  • Judges 6:12 (v4) Yahweh’s angel appeared to him, and said to him, “Yahweh is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
  • Luke 1:28 (v4) Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (v4) Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.
  • 2 Timothy 4:22 (v4) The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Show all 43 cross-references
  • Leviticus 23:22 (v2) “ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not wholly reap into the corners of your field, and you must not gather the gleanings…
  • Psalms 118:26 (v4) Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name! We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house.
  • Genesis 18:19 (v4) For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do…
  • Joshua 24:15 (v4) If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the…
  • Leviticus 19:9 (v2) “ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of…
  • Ruth 4:11 (v4) All the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house like…
  • Psalms 133:1-3 (v4) See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the…
  • Deuteronomy 24:19-21 (v2) When you reap your harvest in your field, and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go again to get it. It shall be for the…
  • Ruth 1:22 (v6) So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem…
  • Proverbs 15:33 (v7) The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:12 (v3) Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.
  • Proverbs 13:4 (v7) The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
  • Proverbs 18:23 (v7) The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
  • Proverbs 22:29 (v7) Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
  • Matthew 10:29 (v3) “Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father’s will,
  • Matthew 24:45 (v6) “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season?
  • Luke 10:31 (v3) By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
  • Ephesians 5:21 (v7) subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (v3) and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we…
  • 1 Peter 5:5-6 (v7) Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another;…
  • 2 John 1:10-11 (v4) If anyone comes to you, and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him, for he who welcomes him…
  • Genesis 15:2 (v6) Abram said, “Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, since I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”
  • Genesis 24:2 (v6) Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh.
  • Genesis 39:4 (v6) Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his…
  • Leviticus 19:16 (v2) “ ‘You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people. “ ‘You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Yahweh.
  • Ruth 1:16 (v6) Ruth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you, and to return from following you, for where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay.…
  • Ruth 1:19 (v6) So they both went until they came to Bethlehem. When they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was excited about them, and they asked, “Is…
  • Ruth 2:7 (v2) She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came, and has continued even from the morning until…
  • Ruth 4:21 (v5) and Salmon became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the father of Obed,
  • 2 Kings 8:5 (v3) As he was telling the king how he had restored to life him who was dead, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, begged the…
  • 1 Chronicles 2:11-12 (v5) and Nahshon became the father of Salma, and Salma became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father…
  • Ecclesiastes 9:10 (v7) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are…
  • Matthew 20:8 (v6) When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last…
  • Galatians 6:9 (v7) Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.
  • 1 Timothy 6:2 (v4) Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who…
  • Esther 6:1-2 (v3) On that night, the king couldn’t sleep. He commanded the book of records of the chronicles to be brought, and they were read to the king.…
  • Matthew 5:3 (v7) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
  • Romans 12:11 (v7) not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (20 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv2, 7 This her humility declareth her great affection toward her…

This her humility declareth her great affection toward her mother-in-law, forasmuch as she spareth no painful diligence to get both their livings.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–7 Rth 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 6, 7 Gleaning was permitted to the poor and the stranger,…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v4 Now Boaz himself appears, and a great deal of…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–7 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi,.... After they…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 7 Glean - Which was permitted to the poor, and…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 5, 7 Verse 2. Glean ears of corn] The word glean…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 7 Rth 2:2. Let me go to the field and…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v7 The house - The shed or booth where they…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv2, 4, 5, 7 To me. It was the privilege of the poor…
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 1864 · Public Domain On v2 The Reward of Faithfulness begins.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 5, 7 her hap was to light on a part of…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv2–7 2. Let me now go to the field —…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 7 2. Permission to glean in the harvest field was…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 6 (2) Let me now go.—The character of Ruth comes…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv2–7 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, Let me…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv2–5 Let me now go to the field, and glean.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v4 Rth_2:4. And behold Boaz came. Not only to see…
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv3, 5 She happened to come
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv2, 3, 5, 7 2:2 to pick up the stalks of grain left…
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