Ruth 2:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.

NIV: So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

NASB: So she left and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

CSB: So Ruth left and entered the field to gather grain behind the harvesters. She happened to be in the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from Elimelech’s family.

NLT: So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Ruth and Naomi are in Bethlehem. Without a source of income, Ruth has decided to glean barley after the harvesters (Ruth 2:2). Early in the morning, she happens upon a field owned by Boaz, a relative of her late father-in-law. The field is a section of open land not separated from other owners by a fence.

This is a summary statement; it doesn't describe Ruth's actions to this point. There's no indication she visited other fields before she came to Boaz's. She came to Boaz's field without knowing who he was or that he was related to her father-in-law (Ruth 2:19–20). Nor did Naomi send her; Naomi is so deeply depressed, shaken by the trauma of losing her husband and sons, that she doesn't even seem to remember that her husband has a kinsman-redeemer who could help. God sends Ruth to Boaz's field.

Once she arrives, she asks permission of the harvest foreman to glean (Ruth 2:2, 7). She's smart to do so; women aren't safe in fields (Judges 21:17–24).

When Boaz comes to the field, he asks his servant about her and is impressed by her devotion to an Israelite widow. Ruth has revoked her heritage and her gods and declared her allegiance to Naomi's people and the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16–17). Boaz not only invites her to continue gleaning in his field, but he also protects her and makes sure she can gather enough for the women to live on (Ruth 2:4–23).

Ruth 2:1–3 serves as a summary transition to the chapter. Naomi and Ruth are settled in Bethlehem and the next task is to find food. They arrived during the barley harvest, so Ruth sets out to glean after the harvesters. As a vulnerable foreign widow, she will only work where the manager or owner gives her favor. Before long, Ruth finds herself at the field of Boaz, one of Naomi's late husband's kinsmen. When Boaz discovers who she is, he tells his harvesters to leave her in peace and to make sure she finds plenty to take home.

Ruth 2 kindles the hope that Naomi's life might not be over. Her husband and sons died in Moab. Now, Naomi has arrived back in Bethlehem with her foreign daughter-in-law, Ruth. Ruth sets out to provide for them by gleaning behind the harvesters. She happens upon Boaz, a relative of her father-in-law, who respects her love and sacrifice for Naomi and makes incredible concessions for her throughout the barley and wheat harvests. As the harvest progresses, Naomi realizes Boaz could marry Ruth.

In Ruth 2, Ruth settles into life in Israel. Naomi, an Israelite, has returned home to Bethlehem after losing her husband and sons in Moab. Her Moabitess daughter-in-law has accompanied her. Naomi has fallen into bitterness and despair, but Ruth is ready to work. While seeking a place to gather loose grain, she wins the attention and respect of Boaz, a man who can provide the two widows with more than barley. Ruth's sacrifice and lovingkindness toward Naomi lead Boaz to act on their behalf.

Though set in a time of violence and tragedy, the book of Ruth tells one of Scripture’s most uplifting stories. Naomi, an Israelite, leaves her home during a famine. While away, in Moab, her husband and sons die. Naomi convinces one of her Moabite daughters-in-law to leave her and seek a new life. The other, Ruth, refuses, declaring her love and loyalty to Naomi. When the pair return to Israel, they encounter Boaz. This man is both kind and moral; his treatment of Ruth secures Naomi’s future and becomes part of king David’s ancestry.