King James Version

What Does Ruth 2:14 Mean?

Ruth 2:14 in the King James Version says “And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she s...” — study this verse from Ruth chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ruth 2:14 · KJV

Context

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.

13

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

14

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.

15

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

16

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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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Boaz's generosity continues at mealtime: 'At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar'. 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 'she sat beside the reapers' shows Boaz seated her with his workers, not apart as a foreigner. The phrase 'he reached her parched corn' indicates Boaz personally served Ruth—a landowner serving a foreign gleaner reverses normal social dynamics, foreshadowing Christ's teaching that the greatest should serve (Mark 10:43-45). The result: 'she did eat, and was sufficed, and left'—she ate until fully satisfied with food remaining. This abundant provision demonstrates grace's overflow—not merely meeting minimum needs but providing generously beyond necessity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Mediterranean meals were communal events with strict social protocols governing seating arrangements and food distribution. That Boaz invited Ruth to eat with his workers challenged social norms separating owners, workers, and gleaners. Parched grain (roasted kernels) was common nutritious food requiring minimal preparation, suitable for field meals. Boaz personally serving Ruth demonstrated honor and care far beyond normal treatment of gleaners, who might be grudgingly permitted to glean but certainly not invited to owners' meals. Ruth's satisfaction with food left over shows provision exceeded her immediate needs—she could save surplus for Naomi, demonstrating how God's provision through His people often creates overflow blessing others.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Boaz personally serving Ruth illustrate Christ's example of greatness through service?
  2. What does the abundance ('sufficed and left') teach about God's provision exceeding mere subsistence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩1 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֨ה2 of 22
H0
בֹ֜עַז3 of 22

“And Boaz”

H1162

boaz, the ancestor of david; also the name of a pillar in front of the temple

לְעֵ֣ת4 of 22

“unto her At mealtime”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הָאֹ֗כֶל5 of 22
H400

food

גֹּ֤שִֽׁי6 of 22

“come”

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

הֲלֹם֙7 of 22

“thou hither”

H1988

hither

וַתֹּ֥אכַל8 of 22

“and eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מִן9 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַלֶּ֔חֶם10 of 22

“of the bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וְטָבַ֥לְתְּ11 of 22

“and dip”

H2881

to dip, to immerse

פִּתֵּ֖ךְ12 of 22

“thy morsel”

H6595

a bit

בַּחֹ֑מֶץ13 of 22

“in the vinegar”

H2558

vinegar

וַתֵּ֙שֶׁב֙14 of 22

“And she sat”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

מִצַּ֣ד15 of 22

“beside”

H6654

a side; figuratively, an adversary

הַקֹּֽצְרִ֔ים16 of 22

“the reapers”

H7114

to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)

וַיִּצְבָּט17 of 22

“and he reached”

H6642

to grasp, i.e., hand out

לָ֣הּ18 of 22
H0
קָלִ֔י19 of 22

“her parched”

H7039

roasted ears of grain

וַתֹּ֥אכַל20 of 22

“and eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וַתִּשְׂבַּ֖ע21 of 22

“and was sufficed”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

וַתֹּתַֽר׃22 of 22

“and left”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

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 2:14 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 2:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ruth 2:18Luke 14:12-14Matthew 14:202 Kings 4:43-44Deuteronomy 8:10Proverbs 11:24-25

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

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