FocusRuth meets Boaz
Connection to the wholeRuth's gleaning and Boaz's kindness introduce the family relationship on which the later redemption depends.
interpretation Ruth 2:9
KJVLet 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.
Read it in context
Boaz shows kindness to Ruth
Start reading at Ruth 2:1 (Ruth 2:1 to Ruth 2:16).
This exchange makes most sense if you begin at 2:1, where Boaz is introduced.
Boaz protects Ruth, provides water and food, and quietly orders extra grain left for her.
- 2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
- 2:2 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.
- 2:3 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.
- 2:4 And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.
- 2:5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?
- 2:6 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:
- 2:7 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.
- 2:8 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:
- 2:9 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.
- 2:10 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?
- 2:11 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.
- 2:12 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.
- 2:13 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.
- 2:14 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.
- 2:15 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:
- 2:16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Samuel is the traditional Jewish attribution, but the identity of the final writer is uncertain. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Ruth 2:1–2:23): Ruth is a widow gathering leftover grain for provision; Boaz is the landholder who speaks to her and directs his reapers. His supervisor answers him, and Ruth later reports to Naomi. Historical background: The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, Ruth 2:1–2 (printed p. 278). stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israelite readers, with particular interest in Ruth's incorporation into Israel and the family line leading to David. The book does not identify a named recipient. Biblical references: Ruth 1:16; Ruth 4:17; Ruth 4:22. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Boaz Meets Ruth. Read Ruth 2:1 through Ruth 2:23 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Ruth's gleaning and Boaz's kindness introduce the family relationship on which the later redemption depends. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? Ruth 1:1 places the account in the days of the judges. The return to Bethlehem and later work are connected with barley and wheat harvests. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The story moves from Bethlehem to Moab and back to Bethlehem, including the field, threshing floor, and city gate. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Boaz shows kindness to Ruth (Ruth 2:8 to Ruth 2:16). Start reading at Ruth 2:1. This exchange makes most sense if you begin at 2:1, where Boaz is introduced.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Matthew's genealogy names Ruth and Boaz in the line leading to David and Jesus. Calling Boaz a type of Christ goes beyond that explicit genealogy and should be labeled as an interpretive comparison. See Ruth 4:21, Ruth 4:22, Matthew 1:5, Matthew 1:16. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Value loyal care, generous provision, and integrity in public dealings. Read the redemption arrangements in their family and legal setting before drawing a modern analogy. interpretation
Cited: Ruth 2:1, Ruth 2:23, Ruth 4:21, Ruth 4:22, Matthew 1:5, Matthew 1:16
Who wrote it, and how we know
Samuel (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Samuel.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated and is uncertain.
Related passages
- touch thee Gen 20:6 Job 19:21 Ps 105:15 Prov 6:29 1 Cor 7:1 1 John 5:18
- go Gen 24:18-20 Matt 10:42 John 4:7-11
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Ruth 2
Ruth is set in the days of the judges and follows Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. The writer is not named. The genealogy explicitly leads to David; a further connection to Jesus rests on the later genealogy in Matthew. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Ruth 1:1 Ruth 4:22 Matthew 1:5
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Ruth
Ruth is set in the days of the judges and follows Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. The writer is not named. The genealogy explicitly leads to David; a further connection to Jesus rests on the later genealogy in Matthew.
Ruth 1:1 Ruth 4:22 Matthew 1:5
Loss and return
Ruth 1:1–22FocusNaomi and Ruth come to Bethlehem
Connection to the wholeThe losses in Moab and Ruth's commitment lead the two women to Bethlehem at harvest time.
interpretation FocusRuth meets Boaz
Connection to the wholeRuth's gleaning and Boaz's kindness introduce the family relationship on which the later redemption depends.
interpretation The appeal at the threshing floor
Ruth 3:1–18FocusA request and an unresolved right
Connection to the wholeRuth's appeal receives a favorable response, but Boaz identifies the nearer kinsman's prior right.
interpretation Redemption and the family line
Ruth 4:1–22FocusA public settlement and a son
Connection to the wholeThe matter is settled before witnesses, Obed is born, and the genealogy connects this family's story with David.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.