Ruth Chapter 2

At a Glance

  • Ruth 2 shifts from loss and loyalty to providential provision and social grace.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Ruth 2 sits within the Ruth narrative as a bridge between Ruth’s arrival in Bethlehem and the eventual Boaz-Ruth union.
  • - Divine providence in ordinary work: Ruth’s gleaning is more than survival; it becomes the channel for God’s care.
  • - Hospitality and generosity: Boaz’s protections and gracious treatment of Ruth model communal virtue.

RUTH 2

Chapter Overview

Ruth 2 shifts from loss and loyalty to providential provision and social grace. Naomi’s Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth is introduced to Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi’s late husband. Ruth goes to glean in Boaz’s field, seeking food for Naomi and herself. Boaz enters the scene with blessing and protection, recognizing Ruth’s integrity and kindness toward Naomi. He instructs his workers to allow Ruth to glean among the sheaves and even offers water and protection, signaling a generous, welcoming provision that exceeds ordinary laws of gleaning. Ruth’s humility and diligence are highlighted as she works from morning until evening, and her brief interactions with Boaz reveal a turning point: Ruth’s presence in Boaz’s field becomes a conduit for God’s favor and Naomi’s redemption plan. Naomi observes this providential arrangement and encourages Ruth to continue in this relationship, while Ruth’s gratitude and piety deepen the bond between the two women and the potential kinsman-redeemer dynamic. The chapter emphasizes the social fabric of Israel—the kinship network, the legality of gleaning, and the potential for a generous relative to become a rescuer. The episode functions as a vital hinge toward Ruth’s eventual marriage to Boaz and the larger narrative arc of redemption.

Historical & Literary Context

Ruth 2 sits within the Ruth narrative as a bridge between Ruth’s arrival in Bethlehem and the eventual Boaz-Ruth union. The genre remains historical novella, enriched by social legalities such as gleaning laws (Leviticus 19) and the concept of the kinsman-redeemer (Leviticus 25). The field scene foregrounds providence in ordinary life and introduces Boaz as a righteous, generous, and capable figure who embodies the book’s values. The social economy of gleaning, hospitality, and protection highlights the care for the vulnerable—especially a foreign widow. This chapter advances the plot by deepening Ruth’s character, Naomi’s strategizing wisdom, and Boaz’s virtuous leadership, setting the stage for redemption within the covenant community.

Key Themes

- Divine providence in ordinary work: Ruth’s gleaning is more than survival; it becomes the channel for God’s care.

- Hospitality and generosity: Boaz’s protections and gracious treatment of Ruth model communal virtue.

- Diligence and humility: Ruth’s steadfast work ethic and respectful demeanor illustrate virtue in action.

- The kinship network and redemption: The possibility of Boaz as kinsman-redeemer foreshadows the social mechanism of redemption.

- Wisdom in planning: Naomi’s counsel points toward strategic faithfulness and trust in God’s timing.

Modern Application

Ruth 2 invites readers to see God at work in everyday labor, hospitality, and relational integrity. It encourages workplaces and communities to cultivate generosity, protect the vulnerable, and empower those on the margins. The chapter can inspire practical acts of mentorship, fair treatment of immigrant communities, and ethical leadership that seeks to benefit the vulnerable. It also underscores the value of prudent, faithful planning—trusting God’s timing in pursuing long-term good. In personal life, Ruth’s example encourages diligence, humility, and relational trust, reminding readers that faithful work—no matter how humble—can open doors to transformative outcomes. The theological spine remains: God’s providence often weaves through ordinary acts of fidelity, turning ordinary fields into sites of redemption.

Cross-References: Ruth 1; Leviticus 19 (gleaning, kindness), Deuteronomy 24 (provision for the poor), Hosea 6 (seeking God’s faithfulness), Genesis 39 (integrity in work).

Recommended Personas: Ruth (loyalty and virtue), Boaz (protector and redeemer), Naomi (strategic wisdom), Jesus (care for the vulnerable), Paul (virtue and work as worship).

Chapter Text

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

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.

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.

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.

5

Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

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:

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.

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:

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

17

So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.

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.

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.

23

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore Ruth Chapter 2 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

Ask Apostle PaulAsk MosesAsk King DavidAsk Jesus Christ
← Ruth 1Ruth 3 →