Ruth 2:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”

NIV: Her mother-in-law asked her, 'Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!' Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. 'The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,' she said.

NASB: Her mother-in-law then said to her, 'Where did you glean today and where did you work? May he who took notice of you be blessed.' So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, 'The name of the man with whom I worked today is Boaz.'

CSB: Her mother-in-law said to her, "Where did you gather barley today, and where did you work? May the Lord bless the man who noticed you."Ruth told her mother-in-law whom she had worked with and said, "The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz."

NLT: Where did you gather all this grain today?' Naomi asked. 'Where did you work? May the Lord bless the one who helped you!' So Ruth told her mother-in-law about the man in whose field she had worked. She said, 'The man I worked with today is named Boaz.'

KJV: 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 showed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.

NKJV: And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”

Ruth has been "gleaning" in the barley fields: following the harvesters and picking up loose stalks of grain, in hopes of providing food for herself and her mother-in-law.

As Ruth shows Naomi what she has brought back, Naomi realizes something isn't normal. Ruth has almost thirty pounds, or about thirteen kilograms, of grain. A typical male Babylonian laborer would maybe earn two pounds a day, or roughly a kilogram; a female worker, half that. Ruth has brought back enough to support the two of them for two weeks.

It's obvious Ruth has had help from a man. Naomi is so shocked she repeats her question, first asking in what location did Ruth work and then in what direction. What she really wants to know is who owns the field where she worked.

Ruth answers that she worked in Boaz's field and goes on to give the details of his kindness toward her. This includes how he ordered his harvesters to protect her and instructed Ruth to continue throughout the barley and wheat harvests. Naomi blesses him and, almost casually, mentions that he is a kinsman-redeemer. He might have the responsibility to buy Naomi's husband's land, which would provide the women with a stable future. But even more, Naomi is grateful that Ruth can work in safety (Ruth 2:20–22).

"Took notice" reflects Ruth's words to Boaz: "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me…?" (Ruth 2:10). The wording means that Boaz did not glance over Ruth or even casually make decisions in her favor. Naomi is aware that he intentionally singled Ruth out and acted for her welfare. By the end of the harvest, Naomi starts to think this kind man would make Ruth a good husband (Ruth 3:1–2).

Ruth 2:17–23 describes the end of Ruth's first day of gleaning the remainders of Boaz's harvesters. Thanks to her arduous work and Boaz's kindness, she returns to Naomi with the equivalent of half a month's wages. Even more than the food, Naomi is grateful that Ruth is free to work in safety. They continue in this way through the barley and wheat harvests. By the end, they both realize Boaz's kindness might possibly extend beyond providing food.

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.