Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

2:1 relative . . . Boaz. The readers are told what the characters will soon discover (see note on 2:20). Worthy (Hb. hayil, lit., "of worth or excellence") connotes character, wealth, position, or strength (see note on 4:11). The same is said of Ruth (3:11).

2:2 The key word glean appears in this scene 12 times (vv. 2, 3, 7, 8, 15 [twice], 16, 17 [twice], 18, 19, 23). Provisions for the poor, sojourners, widows, and orphans allowed them to gather standing grain in corners or borders of fields, as well as dropped stalks and left-behind sheaves (Lev. 19:9-10; 23:22; Deut. 24:19). in whose sight I shall find favor. See notes on Ruth 2:10 and 2:13. Ruth recognized her dependence on the owner's permission (Gen. 34:11; Num. 32:5; 1 Sam. 25:8).

2:3 she happened. The narrator presents this event from the standpoint of something unknown to Ruth (see note on v. 20); since this is a story of God's mysterious providence, the words here are ironic.

2:4 The Lord be with you acknowledges the Lord's presence with the workers in the field. The Lord bless you recognizes that he makes their lives and work fruitful (Gen. 1:22, 28; Deut. 28:8, 11-12; see note on Ruth 2:20).

2:7 Ruth's request to glean . . . among the sheaves is known only through the reaper's report (cf. v. 2). She has continued (Hb. ‘amad; lit., "stood") may suggest that she was not yet gleaning but waiting there for the owner to grant her permission (v. 8), something that the foreman could not do. More likely (as in the ESV), she has continued to work from early morning until now.

2:8-9 Boaz has charged the young men working in his field (cf. vv. 15, 21, 22) not to touch Ruth, in order to ensure her safety; young men in other nearby fields might not be as trustworthy (cf. Deut. 22:25-27).

2:10 found favor. Ruth's first words to Boaz (see v. 13) convey her gratitude that he would grant her these privileges and take notice of her. In other words, she wonders why Boaz would act according to her need, not her social status (see note on v. 20). Ruth calls herself a foreigner, but by virtue of her loyalty to Naomi and to the Lord she has become a sojourner, who can enjoy many of the rights of an Israelite (see note on 1:1; Lev. 24:22; Num. 9:14; 15:14-16; Ezek. 47:22-23).

2:11 All that you have done. Boaz has learned about Ruth's kindness to Naomi and therefore knows her good intentions.

2:12 Only the Lord could repay, i.e., make restitution for Ruth's losses of husband, father, mother, and country. Full reward (Hb. maskoret) is compensation commensurate with her loss--perhaps offspring, like Abraham's "reward" (Gen. 15:1-5, Hb. sakar, from the same root) and Leah's "wages" (Gen. 30:18, Hb. sakar; cf. Ruth 4:12). On both counts Boaz himself will become the Lord's answer to Boaz's own prayer. wings . . . refuge (Ps. 36:7; 57:1; 91:4; Matt. 23:37). Boaz becomes the Lord's protective "wings" when he "spreads his wings" over Ruth (see note on Ruth 3:9).

2:13 found favor. This is Ruth's second reply (see note on v. 10). comforted . . . spoken kindly. Boaz dispels the fear and uncertainty over whether Ruth can obtain food (Gen. 50:21; Isa. 40:2). The type of servant (Hb. shipkhah) to which Ruth humbly compares herself had limited rights (cf. Gen. 16:6; Lev. 19:20).

2:15-16 even among the sheaves . . . pull out some from the bundles. Boaz's favor goes well beyond the requirements of the law (see notes on vv. 2 and 7).

2:17-18 Gleaning went from early morning (v. 7) to evening, i.e., before sundown. After sundown (see note on 3:2) was the time to beat out or winnow what was gathered. An ephah of barley is about 5.5 gallons (24 l)--at least a two-week supply for the two women (see Naomi's surprise, 2:19). food . . . left over. See v. 14.

2:20 whose kindness. The referent of "whose" is ambiguous: is she speaking of the kindness of Boaz, or of the Lord? This ambiguity is probably intentional; that is, the answer is both. In this story, Boaz embodies features of God's own character, particularly his kindness. This kindness is clearly visible in vv. 8-9, 14-16, where Boaz goes well beyond any legal requirements in his generosity to Ruth. Ruth, in receiving the kindness of Boaz extended to a foreigner, is experiencing what Israel as a whole, and each faithful Israelite, receives from the Lord (cf. Deut. 7:7-9). Naomi's blessing anticipates kindness shown to the living in marriage (Deut. 25:5-6; Ruth 4:10a, 13) and to the dead (1:8) by perpetuating their name in their inheritance (4:5, 10b; Lev. 25:23, 25). close relative . . . one of our redeemers. Boaz is neither the closest relative to Naomi nor the only one (see note on Ruth 3:12-13). This situation combines two institutions: the redemption of family land and levirate marriage (see Introduction: Key Themes). What "happened" (2:3) is now seen to be providential.

2:21 Moabite. See note on 1:22. close by my young men. See notes on 2:8-9 and 2:23.

2:23 The barley harvest was in April/May, and the wheat harvest was a few weeks later (cf. 1:22). she lived with her mother-in-law. See 1:16.