About Ruth

Ruth tells the beautiful story of loyalty and redemption, showing how a Moabite woman became part of the lineage of David and ultimately Christ.

Author: Samuel (traditionally)Written: c. 1050-1000 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 23
LoyaltyRedemptionProvidenceLoveKindnessFaith

King James Version

Ruth 2

23 verses with commentary

Ruth Meets Boaz

And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. Boaz: Gr. Booz

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KJV Study Commentary

Chapter 2 introduces a crucial character: <strong>"And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz."</strong> The narrator reveals information Naomi and Ruth don't yet have—Naomi has a kinsman (<em>moda</em>, מוֹדַע) through her deceased husband. The term <em>moda</em> indicates an acquaintance or relative, though not necessarily ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(1) **Boaz.**—It has been already said that if there are any gaps in the genealogy, these are most probably to be referred to its earlier portion. According to the line, however, given in Ruth 4:18 *seq., *Boaz is grandson of the Nahshon who was prince of the tribe of Judah during the wanderings in the desert and son of Salmon and Rahab of Jericho. It may be noted that the difficulty of date may b...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jud 14:5-9. He Kills a Lion. **5-9. a young lion--**Hebrew, a lion in the pride of his youthful prime. The wild mountain passes of Judah were the lairs of savage beasts; and most or all the "lions" of Scripture occur in that wild country. His rending and killing the shaggy monster, without any weapon in his hand, were accomplished by that superhuman courage and strength which the occasional influ...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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.</strong><br><br>Ruth demonstrates remarkable initiative and practical faith. The narrator again identifies her as "the Moabitess" (<em>ha-Moaviyah</em>, הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּה), emphasizing that this foreign woman takes acti...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) Let me now go.—The character of Ruth comes out strongly here. She does not hesitate to face the hard work necessary on her mother-in-law’s account; nor is she too proud to condescend to a work which might perhaps seem humiliating. Nor does one hanker after her old home in the land of Moab and the plenty there. Energy, honesty of purpose, and loyalty are alike evinced here.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jud 14:5-9. He Kills a Lion. **5-9. a young lion--**Hebrew, a lion in the pride of his youthful prime. The wild mountain passes of Judah were the lairs of savage beasts; and most or all the "lions" of Scripture occur in that wild country. His rending and killing the shaggy monster, without any weapon in his hand, were accomplished by that superhuman courage and strength which the occasional influ...
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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. hap: Heb. hap happened

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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.</strong><br><br>The narrative emphasizes Ruth's action: "she went, and came, and gleaned" (<em>vatelekh vatavo vatelaqet</em>, וַתֵּלֶךְ וַתָּבוֹא וַתְּלַקֵּט)—three verbs showing purposeful activity. Ruth doesn't dela...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **Her hap was to light on.**—Literally, *her hap happened. *A chance in outward seeming, yet a clear shaping of her course by unseen hands. Her steps were divinely guided to a certain field, that God’s good purposes should be worked out.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jud 14:5-9. He Kills a Lion. **5-9. a young lion--**Hebrew, a lion in the pride of his youthful prime. The wild mountain passes of Judah were the lairs of savage beasts; and most or all the "lions" of Scripture occur in that wild country. His rending and killing the shaggy monster, without any weapon in his hand, were accomplished by that superhuman courage and strength which the occasional influ...
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And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

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KJV Study Commentary

Boaz's arrival demonstrates godly leadership. His greeting—<strong>'The LORD be with you'</strong> (<em>YHWH immakhem</em>)—invokes Yahweh's blessing on workers, showing faith permeated even agricultural labor. Workers respond <strong>'The LORD bless thee'</strong>, reciprocating blessing. This exchange reveals covenant community where master and servants mutually invoke God's favor, transcending ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **The Lord be with you.**—There is a trace here of the good feeling prevailing between Boaz and his servants. Though he has come to his field to supervise the work, it is not in a fault-finding spirit, but with true courtesy and friendliness; nor is it a frivolous jesting manner that he displays, but with gravity and soberness he presents a true gentleman in his intercourse with his inferiors.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10-11. his father went down--**The father is mentioned as the head and representative of Samson's relatives. **Samson made there a feast--**The wedding festivity lasted a week. The men and women were probably entertained in separate apartments--the bride, with her female relatives, at her parents' house; Samson, in some place obtained for the occasion, as he was a stranger. A large number of p...
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Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

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KJV Study Commentary

Boaz's question—<strong>'Whose damsel is this?'</strong>—demonstrates responsible oversight and concern for the vulnerable. As landowner, Boaz monitors who gleans, protecting both property rights and vulnerable gleaners. His inquiry to <strong>'the servant set over the reapers'</strong> shows delegation to a foreman, demonstrating organizational competence while maintaining personal involvement in...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10-11. his father went down--**The father is mentioned as the head and representative of Samson's relatives. **Samson made there a feast--**The wedding festivity lasted a week. The men and women were probably entertained in separate apartments--the bride, with her female relatives, at her parents' house; Samson, in some place obtained for the occasion, as he was a stranger. A large number of p...
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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:

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KJV Study Commentary

The servant identifies Ruth as <strong>'the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of Moab'</strong>, emphasizing her foreign origin three times. The phrase <strong>'came back'</strong> technically applies only to Naomi, yet he uses it for Ruth, suggesting the community recognized her as having 'returned' to Israel. This verbal acknowledgment grants Ruth belonging despite foreign birth. Th...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6, 7) The steward gives a detailed account of Ruth. She is “the (rather “a”) Moabitish damsel,” she is a foreigner [as such she had a *special *claim to the gleaning, Leviticus 19:9-10]. She is the daughter-in-law of Naomi; and he adds that her behaviour has been praiseworthy, for she asked leave before beginning to glean, and she has worked hard all day, save for a short interval of rest. It wou...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jud 14:12-18. His Riddle. **12-18. I will now put forth a riddle--**Riddles are a favorite Oriental amusement at festive entertainments of this nature, and rewards are offered to those who give the solution. Samson's riddle related to honey in the lion's carcass. The prize he offered was thirty sindinim, or shirts, and thirty changes of garments, probably woolen. Three days were passed in vain at...
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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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KJV Study Commentary

The servant commends Ruth's diligence: she requested permission humbly, then <strong>'came, and hath continued even from morning until now'</strong>. The Hebrew indicates she worked steadily through the hot day with minimal rest—brief shelter breaks from the sun. Ruth's industry demonstrates biblical work ethic: diligence, initiative, perseverance. Proverbs 31's excellent wife 'rises while it is y...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jud 14:12-18. His Riddle. **12-18. I will now put forth a riddle--**Riddles are a favorite Oriental amusement at festive entertainments of this nature, and rewards are offered to those who give the solution. Samson's riddle related to honey in the lion's carcass. The prize he offered was thirty sindinim, or shirts, and thirty changes of garments, probably woolen. Three days were passed in vain at...
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Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:

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KJV Study Commentary

Boaz directly addresses Ruth with extraordinary kindness: <strong>'Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field'</strong>. The term 'my daughter' (<em>biti</em>) shows fatherly care despite their lack of blood relation. His command to stay in his fields provides protection and generous provision—she doesn't need to risk herself elsewhere seeking better conditions. The instructio...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **My daughter.**—This address suggests that Boaz was no longer a young man; clearly the account he had heard of Ruth, both from his servant and from general report, as well as her appearance and behaviour and doubtless a feeling of pity at her condition, had prepossessed him in her favour. **Abide her fast by my maidens.**—Literally, *cleave to *(Genesis 2:24). The true courtesy of Boaz’s char...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jud 14:12-18. His Riddle. **12-18. I will now put forth a riddle--**Riddles are a favorite Oriental amusement at festive entertainments of this nature, and rewards are offered to those who give the solution. Samson's riddle related to honey in the lion's carcass. The prize he offered was thirty sindinim, or shirts, and thirty changes of garments, probably woolen. Three days were passed in vain at...
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Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

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KJV Study Commentary

Boaz's provision intensifies: <strong>'Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them'</strong>. He grants Ruth access to the prime gleaning areas immediately behind the reapers, where the most grain is dropped. The promise <strong>'have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee?'</strong> provides explicit protection. The Hebrew <em>tzivviti</em> (comman...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **Have drawn.**—Literally, *shall *(*from time to time*)* draw. *Possibly from that self-same well at Bethlehem from which David desired to drink (2Samuel 23:15).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jud 14:12-18. His Riddle. **12-18. I will now put forth a riddle--**Riddles are a favorite Oriental amusement at festive entertainments of this nature, and rewards are offered to those who give the solution. Samson's riddle related to honey in the lion's carcass. The prize he offered was thirty sindinim, or shirts, and thirty changes of garments, probably woolen. Three days were passed in vain at...
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Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

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KJV Study Commentary

Ruth's response demonstrates profound humility: <strong>'Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground'</strong>—full prostration showing deepest respect and gratitude. Her question—<strong>'Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?'</strong>—uses the key term <em>chen</em> (grace/favor). She recognizes Boaz's kindness as u...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **A stranger.**—A foreigner. Note, however, that the Moabite language, though having its own peculiarities, really differed but little from Hebrew, as may be seen, for instance, from the famous inscription of King Mesha discovered in the land of Moab in 1868.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jud 14:12-18. His Riddle. **12-18. I will now put forth a riddle--**Riddles are a favorite Oriental amusement at festive entertainments of this nature, and rewards are offered to those who give the solution. Samson's riddle related to honey in the lion's carcass. The prize he offered was thirty sindinim, or shirts, and thirty changes of garments, probably woolen. Three days were passed in vain at...
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And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore .

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KJV Study Commentary

Boaz explains his kindness: <strong>'It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband'</strong>. The Hebrew <em>huggad huggad</em> (told, it has been told) uses emphatic repetition—Ruth's actions are thoroughly known. Boaz specifically mentions her care for Naomi and radical choice: <strong>'how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **Heretofore.**—The curious Hebrew phrase thus rendered is literally, *yesterday and the day before.*

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jud 14:12-18. His Riddle. **12-18. I will now put forth a riddle--**Riddles are a favorite Oriental amusement at festive entertainments of this nature, and rewards are offered to those who give the solution. Samson's riddle related to honey in the lion's carcass. The prize he offered was thirty sindinim, or shirts, and thirty changes of garments, probably woolen. Three days were passed in vain at...
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The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

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KJV Study Commentary

Boaz pronounces blessing: <strong>'The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust'</strong>. The phrase 'recompense thy work' (<em>yeshalem YHWH pa'olekh</em>) prays that Yahweh will repay Ruth's covenant loyalty. The word <em>shalem</em> means to make complete, pay fully, or restore—Boaz prays for comprehensive div...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) Boaz prays that God will recompense Ruth’s dutifulness to her mother-in-law, and the more seeing that she herself has put herself under His protection. Faith in Divine help and grace will win an undoubted recompense.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jud 14:12-18. His Riddle. **12-18. I will now put forth a riddle--**Riddles are a favorite Oriental amusement at festive entertainments of this nature, and rewards are offered to those who give the solution. Samson's riddle related to honey in the lion's carcass. The prize he offered was thirty sindinim, or shirts, and thirty changes of garments, probably woolen. Three days were passed in vain at...
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Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens. Let me: or, I find friendly: Heb. to the heart

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KJV Study Commentary

Ruth responds with deeper humility: <strong>'Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid'</strong>. The phrase 'find favour' again uses <em>chen</em> (grace), showing Ruth's continued recognition that kindness shown is unmerited. Boaz's words have 'comforted' (<em>nichamtani</em>)—literally brought consolatio...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(13) **Friendly.**—Literally, *unto the heart. *The same phrase is rendered *comfortably *(Isaiah 40:2).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**19-20. went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them--**This town was about twenty-four miles west by southwest from Timnah; and his selection of this place, which was dictated by the Divine Spirit, was probably owing to its bitter hostility to Israel. **took their spoil--**The custom of stripping a slain enemy was unknown in Hebrew warfare.

And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.

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KJV Study Commentary

Boaz's generosity continues at mealtime: <strong>'At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar'</strong>. The invitation to join the meal elevates Ruth from mere gleaner to honored guest. Bread and vinegar (likely diluted wine vinegar used as refreshing drink) constituted standard harvest workers' fare. The command <strong>'she sat beside the reapers'</stro...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) **At meal-time.**—This should apparently be joined to what precedes: Boaz now shows a fresh act of kindness. **Vinegar.**—By this term is to be understood wine which had become sour (Proverbs 10:26). As such, Nazarites were forbidden to use it (Numbers 6:3). Similar to this was the vinegar of the Gospel narrative, a sour wine generally mixed with water, which was offered to our Saviour (Matth...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**19-20. went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them--**This town was about twenty-four miles west by southwest from Timnah; and his selection of this place, which was dictated by the Divine Spirit, was probably owing to its bitter hostility to Israel. **took their spoil--**The custom of stripping a slain enemy was unknown in Hebrew warfare.

And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: reproach: Heb. shame her not

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KJV Study Commentary

Boaz commands his workers: <strong>'Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not'</strong>. This exceeds gleaning law requirements—typically gleaners worked only field edges and gathered what harvesters dropped. Boaz permits Ruth to glean among the standing sheaves where grain is abundant, not merely leftovers. The command 'reproach her not' (<em>lo takhlimuha</em>) forbids shaming o...
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And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

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KJV Study Commentary

Boaz intensifies provision: <strong>'Let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them'</strong>. He commands workers to deliberately drop grain for Ruth—transforming gleaning from gathering scraps to receiving intentional provision. The phrase 'of purpose' (<em>shamot tashollu lah</em>) means purposefully, intentionally. This isn't gleaning at all but disguised charity that pr...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 15 Jud 15:1, 2. Samson Is Denied His Wife. **1. in the time of wheat harvest--**that is, about the end of our April, or the beginning of our May. The shocks of grain were then gathered into heaps, and lying on the field or on the threshing-floors. It was the dry season, dry far beyond our experience, and the grain in a most combustible state. **Samson visited his wife with a kid--**I...
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So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.

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KJV Study Commentary

Ruth's diligent labor produces results: <strong>'So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley'</strong>. Working from morning until evening, Ruth gathered approximately an ephah (about 22 liters or half a bushel) of barley—an extraordinary amount for one day's gleaning, demonstrating both her industry and Boaz's secret generosity. N...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(17) **Beat out.**—That is, she threshed it herself, so as to save the labour of carrying away the straw. She then found she had an ephah, that is, rather more than four pecks.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**2. her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her--**This allegation was a mere sham, a flimsy pretext to excuse his refusal of admittance. The proposal he made of a marriage with her younger sister was but an insult to Samson, and one which it was unlawful for an Israelite to accept (Le 18:18).

And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.

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KJV Study Commentary

Ruth returns to Naomi: <strong>'And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed'</strong>. The large amount of grain visibly demonstrated God's provision. The phrase 'brought forth...that she had reserved' refers to the food from Boaz's meal (v. 14)—Ruth saved leftovers f...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Jud 15:3-8. He Burns the Philistines' Corn. **3. Samson said ..., Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines--**This nefarious conduct provoked the hero's just indignation, and he resolved to take signal vengeance.

And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.

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KJV Study Commentary

Naomi responds with questions: <strong>'Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee'</strong>. The large amount of grain prompts Naomi's inquiry—this exceeds normal gleaning. Her blessing on the unknown benefactor who 'took knowledge of' Ruth shows Naomi recognizing human kindness as God's providence. Ruth then reveals: <strong>'The man'...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(19) **Blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee.**—Naomi easily perceives that the quantity of corn brought home is unusually large, and that therefore some special kindness must have been shown Her own, therefore, as well as her daughter’s thanks are due to this benefactor.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4-5. went and caught three hundred foxes--**rather, "jackals"; an animal between a wolf and a fox, which, unlike our fox, a solitary creature, prowls in large packs or herds and abounds in the mountains of Palestine. The collection of so great a number would require both time and assistance. **took firebrands--**torches or matches which would burn slowly, retaining the fire, and blaze fiercely...
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And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. one of: or, one that hath right to redeem

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KJV Study Commentary

Naomi's response reveals God's providence: <strong>'Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead'</strong>. This blessing references God's <em>chesed</em> (covenant loyalty) continuing toward both living (Ruth and Naomi) and dead (Elimelech, Mahlon, Chilion) through raising up a kinsman-redeemer. Naomi explains: <strong>'The man is near of kin unto us...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(20) **Who hath not . . .**—It is not clear whether the grammatical antecedent is God or Boaz. Either way a good sense is obtained. As our lost dear ones had kindness shown them of old, so we too now. If Boaz is the antecedent, it may seem curious that Naomi (knowing that she was dwelling near to a kinsman of her husband’s, and, further, one who had shown kindness before they departed to Moab) sho...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4-5. went and caught three hundred foxes--**rather, "jackals"; an animal between a wolf and a fox, which, unlike our fox, a solitary creature, prowls in large packs or herds and abounds in the mountains of Palestine. The collection of so great a number would require both time and assistance. **took firebrands--**torches or matches which would burn slowly, retaining the fire, and blaze fiercely...
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And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

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KJV Study Commentary

Ruth adds detail: <strong>'He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest'</strong>. Ruth reports Boaz's invitation to remain in his fields throughout the harvest season, ensuring sustained provision for weeks. This detail shows Boaz's commitment to Ruth's welfare extended beyond one day to comprehensive care through the entire harvest period. The ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(21) **My young men . . . my harvest.—**Emphatic in the Hebrew. As long as my reaping lasts, cleave steadily to us.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6. Who hath done this--**The author of this outrage, and the cause that provoked such an extraordinary retaliation, soon became known; and the sufferers, enraged by the destruction of their crops, rushing with tumultuous fury to the house of Samson's wife, "burnt her and her father with fire." This was a remarkable retribution. To avoid this menace, she had betrayed her husband; and by that unpr...
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And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. meet: or, fall upon thee

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KJV Study Commentary

Naomi counsels wisdom: <strong>'It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field'</strong>. Naomi recognizes the protection Boaz offers and advises Ruth to accept it fully. The concern that Ruth might 'meet' others in different fields implies danger from men who might assault or harass a vulnerable foreign gleaner. Naomi's protective counsel de...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(22) **That they meet thee not.**—*It is good *. . . *and that people meet thee not. *This would not only be throwing away genuine kindness, but would be contemptuously proclaiming the fact. **Maidens.**—Naomi speaks of the young women, whereas Ruth had spoken of the young men. We need not suppose that any distinction is intended: Ruth names the young men as the chief workers; Naomi, the young wom...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7. Samson said ..., Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you--**By that act the husbandmen had been the instruments in avenging his private and personal wrongs. But as a judge, divinely appointed to deliver Israel, his work of retribution was not yet accomplished.

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

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KJV Study Commentary

The chapter concludes: <strong>'So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law'</strong>. Ruth followed Naomi's counsel, remaining in Boaz's fields throughout both harvests—about seven weeks. The phrase 'dwelt with her mother in law' emphasizes Ruth's covenant loyalty continuing beyond the hopeful beginning. Sh...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(23) **And dwelt.**—Unspoiled by mixing with her new society, she stops on quietly at the end of her task, and tends her mother-in-law at home with the same fidelity with which she had worked for her abroad. **III. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. **Bible Hub

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**8. smote them hip and thigh--**a proverbial expression for a merciless slaughter. **he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam--**rather went down and dwelt in the cleft--that is, the cave or cavern of the cliff Etam.

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