Ruth 2:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD [be] with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

Complete Jewish Bible:

when Bo'az arrived from Beit-Lechem. He said to the reapers, "ADONAI be with you"; and they answered him, "ADONAI bless you."

Berean Standard Bible:

Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, “The LORD be with you.” “The LORD bless you,” they replied.

American Standard Version:

And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, Jehovah be with you. And they answered him, Jehovah bless thee.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And, behold, Boaz^{H1162} came^{H935} from Bethlehem^{H1035}, and said^{H559} unto the reapers^{H7114}, The LORD^{H3068} be with you. And they answered^{H559} him, The LORD^{H3068} bless^{H1288} thee.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Ruth 2:4

Ruth 2:4 is a verse set within the broader narrative of the Book of Ruth, which is a story of loyalty, redemption, and God's providence. The historical context of this verse is the period of the Judges, a time marked by moral decay and a cycle of apostasy and deliverance among the Israelites. The story of Ruth, however, stands in contrast to this backdrop, focusing on the personal lives of Ruth, a Moabite woman, and her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi.

In Ruth 2:4, Boaz, a wealthy landowner and relative of Naomi's deceased husband, arrives from Bethlehem and greets his reapers with a traditional Hebrew blessing, "The LORD be with you." This greeting reflects the agricultural society's dependence on the LORD for the success of their harvests and acknowledges God's presence in their daily labor. The reapers respond with a reciprocal blessing, "The LORD bless thee," highlighting the mutual respect and communal piety that characterized the social interactions within the covenant community.

The themes present in this verse include divine blessing, the importance of community, and the practice of hospitality and kindness, which are central to the narrative. Boaz's character is introduced as a man of faith and generosity, setting the stage for his pivotal role in Ruth's story. His greeting and the workers' response demonstrate a society where the LORD's favor is sought and valued, and where the well-being of each individual is tied to the well-being of others. This verse also foreshadows the kinsman-redeemer role Boaz will play, as his encounter with Ruth will eventually lead to their marriage and the continuation of Naomi's family line, which is significant within the context of Israel's tribal and ancestral heritage.

*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: H1162
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֹּעַז
   Transliteration: Bôʻaz
   Pronunciation: bo'-az
   Description: from an unused root of uncertain meaning; Boaz, the ancestor of David; also the name of a pillar in front of the temple; Boaz.
   
2. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1035
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּית לֶחֶם
   Transliteration: Bêyth Lechem
   Pronunciation: bayth leh'-khem
   Description: from בַּיִת and לֶחֶם; house of bread; Beth-Lechem, a place in Palestine; Bethlehem.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7114
   There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָצַר
   Transliteration: qâtsar
   Pronunciation: kaw-tsar'
   Description: a primitive root; to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain); [idiom] at all, cut down, much discouraged, grieve, harvestman, lothe, mourn, reap(-er), (be, wax) short(-en, -er), straiten, trouble, vex.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1288
   There are 289 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָרַךְ
   Transliteration: bârak
   Pronunciation: baw-rak'
   Description: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason); [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank.