King James Version

What Does Ruth 2:20 Mean?

Ruth 2:20 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Ruth chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ruth 2:20 · KJV

Context

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.

19

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.

20

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

21

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.

22

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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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Naomi's response reveals God's providence: 'Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead'. This blessing references God's chesed (covenant loyalty) continuing toward both living (Ruth and Naomi) and dead (Elimelech, Mahlon, Chilion) through raising up a kinsman-redeemer. Naomi explains: 'The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen'. The term go'el (גֹּאֵל, redeemer) appears, indicating Boaz can redeem Elimelech's property and potentially marry Ruth to preserve the family line. Naomi's bitter despair (1:20-21) begins transforming to hope as she recognizes God's redemptive purposes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The kinsman-redeemer (go'el) concept combined family loyalty with legal responsibility to preserve family property and lineage. Leviticus 25 and Deuteronomy 25 established these laws. Naomi's recognition that Boaz is go'el means he has both right and responsibility to help. Her joy demonstrates faith reviving—God hasn't abandoned them but is orchestrating redemption. The reference to God's kindness toward the dead means preserving their name and inheritance through the kinsman-redeemer system.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the kinsman-redeemer concept foreshadow Christ's redemption of believers who cannot redeem themselves?
  2. What does Naomi's recognition of providence teach about seeing God's faithfulness even after seasons of despair?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַתֹּ֧אמֶר1 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נָֽעֳמִ֗י2 of 22

“And Naomi”

H5281

noomi, an israelitess

לְכַלָּתָ֗הּ3 of 22

“unto her daughter in law”

H3618

a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife

בָּר֥וּךְ4 of 22

“Blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

הוּא֙5 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לַֽיהוָ֔ה6 of 22

“be he of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲשֶׁר֙7 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא8 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָזַ֣ב9 of 22

“who hath not left off”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

חַסְדּ֔וֹ10 of 22

“his kindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

אֶת11 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הַֽחַיִּ֖ים12 of 22

“to the living”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וְאֶת13 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הַמֵּתִ֑ים14 of 22

“and to the dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וַתֹּ֧אמֶר15 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֣הּ16 of 22
H0
נָֽעֳמִ֗י17 of 22

“And Naomi”

H5281

noomi, an israelitess

קָר֥וֹב18 of 22

“is near of kin”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

לָ֙נוּ֙19 of 22
H0
הָאִ֔ישׁ20 of 22

“unto her The man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִֽגֹּאֲלֵ֖נוּ21 of 22

“unto us one of our next kinsmen”

H1350

to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

הֽוּא׃22 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 2:20 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 2:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 2:5Ruth 3:9-10Leviticus 25:25Deuteronomy 25:5-7Philippians 4:10Job 29:12-13

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