Ruth 2:1-9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 2:1-3

Naomi had now gained a settlement in Bethlehem among her old friends; and here we have an account, I. Of her rich kinsman, Boaz, a mighty man of wealth, Ruth 2:1. The Chaldee reads it, mighty in the law. If he was both, it was a most rare and excellent conjunction, to be mighty in wealth and mighty in the scriptures too; those that are so are mighty indeed. He was grandson of Nahshon, who was prince of the tribe of Judah in the wilderness, and son of Salmon, probably a younger son, by Rahab,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 2:4-16

Now Boaz himself appears, and a great deal of decency there appears in his carriage both towards his own servants and towards this poor stranger. I. Towards his own servants, and those that were employed for him in reaping and gathering in his corn. Harvest-time is busy time, many hands must then be at work. Boaz that had much, being a mighty man of wealth, had much to do, and consequently many to work under him and to live upon him. As goods are increased those are increased that eat them,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:1

And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's ,.... That was her kinsman by her husband's side, who now lived at Bethlehem; and yet it does not appear that Naomi made any application to him for assistance in her circumstances, though well known to her, as the word used signifies; which might arise from her modesty, and being loath to be troublesome to him, especially as he was a relation, not of her own family, but of her husband's; but, what is more strange, that this kinsman had taken no notice... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:2

And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi ,.... After they had been some little time at Bethlehem, and not long; for they came at the beginning of barley harvest, and as yet it was not over, nor perhaps for some time after this; and knowing and considering the circumstances they were in, and unwilling to live an idle life, and ready to do any thing for the support of her life, and of her ancient mother-in-law; which was very commendable, and showed her to be an industrious virtuous woman: she... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:3

And she went, and came ,.... That is, she went out of the house where she was, and out of the city, and came into the field; though, according to the Midrash F16 Midrash Ruth, fol. 31. 4. Vid. Jarchi & Alshech in loc. , she marked the ways as she went, before she entered into the field, and then came back to the city to observe the marks and signs she made, that she might not mistake the way, and might know how to come back again: and gleaned in the field after the reapers ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:4

And, behold, Boaz came to Bethlehem ,.... Into the field, to see how his workmen went on, and performed their service, and to encourage them in it by his presence, and by his courteous language and behaviour, and to see what provisions were wanting, that he might take care and give orders for the sending of them, it being now near noon, as it may be supposed; and though he was a man of great wealth, he did not think it below him to go into his field, and look after his servants, which was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:5

Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers ,.... To direct them their work, what part each was to do, and to see that they did it well; to take care for provisions for them, and to pay them their wages when their work was done. Josephus F20 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 9. sect. 2. calls him αγροκομος , that had the care of the field, and all things relative to it; the Jews F21 Midrash Ruth, fol. 32. 1. say, he was set over two and forty persons, whom he had the command... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:6

And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said ,.... Who had taken a great deal of notice of Ruth, and had conversed with her, and so was capable of giving answers to his master's question: it is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi, out of the country of Moab ; perhaps he had not got knowledge of her name, and therefore only describes her by the country from whence she came; and by her coming from thence along with Naomi, when she returned from Moab, with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:7

And she said ,.... These are the words of the servant continued, who goes on with the account of Ruth, and her conduct, since she had been in the field: I pray you let me glean, and gather after the reapers among the sheaves : for though by the law of Israel she had a right, as a poor widow and stranger, to glean, yet as the owner of the field, and his servants, by his appointment, under him, might have power of fixing the time when such might glean, and of judging who were the proper... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:8

Then said Boaz unto Ruth ,.... Having heard what the servant said concerning her, he turned himself to her, and addressed her in the following manner: hearest thou not, my daughter ? meaning not what the servant had said, but hereby exciting her to hearken to what he was about to say to her. Noldius F23 Ebr. Concord. part. p. 257. No. 1150. takes the particle to signify beseeching and entreating, and renders the words, "hear, I pray thee, my daughter". Some from hence conclude that... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 2:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 2:4-16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:8

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