Ruth 2:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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?

Complete Jewish Bible:

She fell on her face, prostrating herself, and said to him, "Why are you showing me such favor? Why are you paying attention to me? After all, I'm only a foreigner."

Berean Standard Bible:

At this, she fell on her face, bowing low to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me, even though I am a foreigner?”

American Standard Version:

Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found favor in thy sight, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a foreigner?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then she fell^{H5307} on her face^{H6440}, and bowed^{H7812} herself to the ground^{H776}, and said^{H559} unto him, Why have I found^{H4672} grace^{H2580} in thine eyes^{H5869}, that thou shouldest take knowledge^{H5234} of me, seeing I am a stranger^{H5237}?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Ruth 2:10

Ruth 2:10 is a verse set within the broader narrative of the Book of Ruth, which is part of the Ketuvim (Writings) in the Hebrew Bible and is also included in the Christian Old Testament. The historical context of the Book of Ruth is generally placed during the time of the Judges, a period characterized by spiritual declension and moral chaos in Israel. The book tells the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who, after being widowed, chooses to remain with her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, rather than return to her own people.

In Ruth 2:10, Ruth is speaking to Boaz, a wealthy and noble landowner in Bethlehem, who has shown her unexpected kindness. Having arrived in Bethlehem as a foreigner and a widow, Ruth is in a vulnerable position both socially and economically. According to ancient Near Eastern customs, Moabites were often looked down upon by Israelites, and widows had few legal protections or means of support. Despite these disadvantages, Ruth finds herself the recipient of Boaz's grace and favor.

The themes present in this verse include the concepts of grace, hospitality, and the treatment of the marginalized. Ruth's humble response to Boaz's generosity reflects her surprise and gratitude at receiving such favor, despite her status as both a stranger and a widow. Her action of falling on her face and bowing to the ground is a sign of deep respect and acknowledgment of Boaz's higher social standing. The verse underscores the themes of loyalty and kindness that permeate the Book of Ruth, as Ruth and Boaz both exemplify virtues that were highly esteemed in their culture, such as hesed (loving-kindness) and righteousness.

Moreover, Ruth's question to Boaz, "Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I [am] a stranger?" touches on the broader biblical theme of God's concern for the marginalized and His commandments regarding the treatment of strangers or foreigners. The verse invites readers to consider the importance of extending grace and hospitality to those outside one's immediate community, a principle that is echoed throughout the Scriptures.

In summary, Ruth 2:10 captures a poignant moment of cultural and personal humility, highlighting the themes of grace, hospitality, and the divine imperative to care for the vulnerable and the stranger. This verse is a snapshot of the larger narrative of Ruth, which ultimately points to the inclusion of gentiles in the lineage of King David and, eventually, of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5307
   There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָפַל
   Transliteration: nâphal
   Pronunciation: naw-fal'
   Description: a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative); be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for פָּלַל), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7812
   There are 166 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁחָה
   Transliteration: shâchâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-khaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God); bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.
   
4. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
5. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4672
   There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָצָא
   Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.
   
7. Strong's Number: H2580
   There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֵן
   Transliteration: chên
   Pronunciation: khane
   Description: from חָנַן; graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty); favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-) favoured.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
9. Strong's Number: H5234
   There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָכַר
   Transliteration: nâkar
   Pronunciation: naw-kar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to scrutinize, i.e. look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (with suspicion implied), to disregard, ignore, be strange toward, reject, resign, dissimulate (as if ignorant or disowning); acknowledge, [idiom] could, deliver, discern, dissemble, estrange, feign self to be another, know, take knowledge (notice), perceive, regard, (have) respect, behave (make) self strange(-ly).
   
10. Strong's Number: H5237
    There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נׇכְרִי
    Transliteration: nokrîy
    Pronunciation: nok-ree'
    Description: from נֶכֶר (second form); strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful); alien, foreigner, outlandish, strange(-r, woman).