Ruth 2:4 NIV

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 2:4

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 2:4

Boaz came from Beth-lehem - This salutation between Boaz and his reapers is worthy of particular regard; he said, עמחם יהוה Yehovah immachem , "Jehovah be with you!" They said, יהוה יברכך yebarechecha Yehovah , "May Jehovah bless thee!" Can a pious mind read these godly salutations without wishing for a return of those simple primitive times? The words may be thus paraphrased: "May God be with you, to preserve you from accidents, and strengthen you to accomplish your work!"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 2:1-9

The harvest-field. RUTH WAS EAGER TO WORK (see Ruth 2:2 ). 1. Work is honorable; it is wholesome; inspiriting too; the best antidote to ennui . If not immoderate, nothing is so efficacious in giving full development to man's physique ; nothing is so potent to put reins upon passions, and a curb on the tendency to morbid imaginations. All great men and women have been diligent workers. Jesus worked. He who is his Father and ours "worketh hitherto." 2. Ruth did... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 2:4

On the very day that the Moabitess entered on her gleaning, Boaz, in accordance with his wont, as a good and wise master, visited his harvest-field. And, behold, Boas came from Bethlehem. The law of kindness was on his lips; and while benevolence was beaming from his countenance, piety was ruling within his heart. He said to the reapers, Yahveh be with you! And they said to him, Yahveh bless thee! Courtesy met courtesy. It is a charming scene, and we may reasonably assume that there was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 2:4

Salutations. It is a pleasant picture of old-world life, among the ancient Hebrews, this of the "mighty man of wealth" coming down from his house to his cornfields to watch the work of the reapers, the progress of the harvest. Boaz seems to have lived on friendly terms with those in his employment, and to have taken an interest in them and in their toils. A lesson for all masters and employers of labor. And how picturesque the scene when the proprietor meets his laborers, and they exchange... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 2:4

"The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee." Nothing is more beautiful in national history than good feeling between masters and men. Religion alone can inspire this feeling. It fails before mere expediency, and can only be secured by mutual dependence on God and on each other. I. THE LIVING PRESENCE . The Lord with us means courage and consolation—courage to face difficulty, and consolation in all times of depression and disheartenment. Christ has given us his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 2:4

Ruth 2:4. And said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you, &c. Such was the piety of ancient times, that it manifested itself even in men’s civil conversation and worldly transactions, and induced them to pray to God for a blessing on the labours of those whom they saw to be honestly and usefully employed, who were wont in return to pray in a similar manner for them. The Lord be with you; and the Lord bless you This was the beautiful language of religion in those days; too little... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:1-23

2:1-4:22 START OF A NEW LIFE IN ISRAELRuth works in the field of Boaz (2:1-23)Back in Israel it soon became clear that God was in control of affairs in the lives of the two widows. According to Israelite law, when a farmer reaped his harvest he was not to send his workers through the field a second time to pick up the odd stalks of grain that the reapers dropped. These were to be left for the poor, who would follow the reapers and glean what grain they could (Leviticus 23:22; Deuteronomy... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ruth 2:4

they answered. This tells of a time of peace, prosperity, and quiet. read more

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 2:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 2:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 2:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 2:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 2:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 2:4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 2:1-23

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ruth 2:4

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