King James Version

What Does Ruth 2:10 Mean?

Ruth 2:10 in the King James Version says “Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, tha...” — study this verse from Ruth chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Ruth 2:10 · KJV

Grace

Context

8

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:

9

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.

10

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?

11

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 .

12

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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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ruth's response demonstrates profound humility: 'Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground'—full prostration showing deepest respect and gratitude. Her question—'Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?'—uses the key term chen (grace/favor). She recognizes Boaz's kindness as unmerited favor, not earned rights. The Hebrew nokriyah (stranger/foreigner) emphasizes her outsider status, lacking rights or claims. Ruth marvels that Boaz would 'take knowledge of' (lehakkireni)—acknowledge, recognize, or pay attention to—someone with no social standing. Her amazement at grace received foreshadows the gospel: Gentiles marveling that God would adopt them into His family despite having 'no claim' on His favor. Grace by definition is undeserved; Ruth grasps this theological reality.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern social hierarchies rigidly separated classes and ethnic groups. Foreigners, particularly Moabites (historically Israel's enemies), typically received suspicion and contempt rather than kindness. Ruth's prostration reflected standard protocol when social inferiors addressed superiors, particularly wealthy landowners. Her question about 'finding grace' uses covenant language found throughout Scripture when the vulnerable appeal to the powerful for undeserved mercy. The concept of 'taking knowledge of' someone implied elevating them to attention and concern—the opposite of ignoring or dismissing them as beneath notice. Ruth correctly identified Boaz's treatment as exceptional, not standard protocol. Her humility here contrasts with modern entitlement mentality that demands rights rather than receives grace with gratitude.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Ruth's amazed gratitude for grace challenge contemporary attitudes of entitlement to God's blessings?
  2. What does her humble recognition of being a 'stranger' teach about approaching God without claims on His favor?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַתִּפֹּל֙1 of 14

“Then she fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עַל2 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פָּנֶ֔יהָ3 of 14

“on her face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וַתִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ4 of 14

“and bowed”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

אָ֑רְצָה5 of 14

“herself to the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר6 of 14

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֗יו7 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מַדּוּעַ֩8 of 14
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

מָצָ֨אתִי9 of 14

“unto him Why have I found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חֵ֤ן10 of 14

“grace”

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙11 of 14

“in thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לְהַכִּירֵ֔נִי12 of 14

“that thou shouldest take knowledge”

H5234

properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (

וְאָֽנֹכִ֖י13 of 14
H595

i

נָכְרִיָּֽה׃14 of 14

“of me seeing I am a stranger”

H5237

strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ruth. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ruth 2:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ruth 2:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 25:23Ruth 2:13Romans 12:10Luke 1:43Luke 17:16-18Luke 1:48

Test Your Knowledge

Ruth 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRuth Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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