TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Ruth 2 verses 17–23
Here, I. Ruth finishes her day's work, Rut 2:17. 1. She took care not to lose time, for she gleaned until evening. We must not be weary of well-doing, because in due season we shall reap. She did not make an excuse to sit still, or go home, till the evening. Let us work the works of him that sent us, while it is day. She scarcely used, much less did she abuse, the kindness of Boaz; for, though he ordered his servants to leave handfuls for her, she continued to glean the scattered ears. 2. She took care not to lose what she had gathered, but threshed it herself, that she might the more easily carry it home, and might have it ready for use. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting, and so loseth the benefit of it, but the substance of a diligent man is precious, Pro 12:27. Ruth had gathered it ear by ear, but, when she had put it all together, it was an ephah of barley, about four pecks. Many a little makes a great deal. It is an encouragement to industry that in all labour, even that of gleaning, there is profit, but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. When she had got her corn into as little compass as she could, she took it up herself, and carried it into the city, though, had she asked them, it is likely some of Boaz's servants would have done that for her. We should study to be as little as possible troublesome to those that are kind to us. She did not think it either too hard or too mean a service to carry her corn herself into the city, but was rather pleased with what she had gotten by her own industry, and careful to secure it; and let us thus take care that we lose not those things which we have wrought, which we have gained, Jo2 1:8.
II. She paid her respects to her mother-in-law, went straight home to her and did not go to converse with Boaz's servants, showed her what she had gleaned, that she might see she had not been idle.
1.She entertained her with what she had left of the good dinner Boaz had given her. She gave to her what she had reserved, after she was sufficed (Rut 2:18), which refers to Rut 2:14. If she had any thing better than another, her mother should have part with her. Thus, having shown industry abroad, she showed piety at home; so children's maintaining their parents is called (Ti1 5:4), and it is part of the honour due to them by the fifth commandment, Mat 15:6.
2.She gave her an account of her day's work, and how a kind providence had favoured her in it, which made it very comfortable to her; for the gleanings that a righteous man hath are better than the harvests of many wicked, Psa 37:16. (1.) Naomi asked her where she had been: Where hast thou gleaned today? Note, Parents should take care to enquire into the ways of their children, how, and where, and in what company they spend their time. This may prevent many extravagancies which children, left to themselves, run into, by which they bring both themselves and their parents to shame. If we are not our brethren's, yet surely we are our children's keepers: and we know what a son Adonijah proved, that had never been chidden. Parents should examine their children, not to frighten nor discourage them, not so as to make them hate home or tempt them to tell a lie, but to commend them if they have done well, and with mildness to reprove and caution them if they have done otherwise. It is a good question for us to ask ourselves in the close of every day, "Where have I gleaned today? What improvements have I made in knowledge and grace? What have I done or obtained that will turn to a good account?" (2.) Ruth gave her a particular account of the kindness she had received from Boaz (Rut 2:19) and the hopes she had of further kindness from him, he having ordered her to attend his servants throughout all the harvest, Rut 2:21. Note, Children should look upon themselves as accountable to their parents and to those that are over them, and not think it a disparagement to them to be examined; let them do that which is good, and they shall have praise of the same. Ruth told her mother what kindness Boaz had shown her, that she might take some occasion or another to acknowledge it and return him thanks; but she did not tell her how Boaz had commended her, v. 11. Humility teaches us, not only not to praise ourselves, but not to be forward to publish others' praises of us. (3.) We are here told what Naomi said to it. [1.] She prayed heartily for him that had been her daughter's benefactor, even before she knew who it was (Rut 2:19): Blessed be he, whoever he was, that did take knowledge of thee, shooting the arrow of prayer at a venture. But more particularly when she was told who it was (Rut 2:20): Blessed be he of the Lord. Note, The poor must pray for those that are kind and liberal to them, and thus requite them, when they are not capable of making them any other requital. Let the loins of the poor bless those that refresh them, Job 29:13; Job 31:20. And he that hears the cries of the poor against their oppressors (Exo 22:27), it may be hoped, will hear the prayers of the poor for their benefactors. She now remembered the former kindnesses Boaz had shown to her husband and sons, and joins those to this: he has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. If we generously show kindness even to those that seem to have forgotten our former favours, perhaps it may help to revive the remembrance even of those which seem buried. [2.] She acquainted Ruth with the relation their family was in to Boaz: The man is near of kin to us. It should seem she had been so long in Moab that she had forgotten her kindred in the land of Israel, till by this providence God brought it to her mind. At least she had not told Ruth of it, though it might have been some encouragement to a young proselyte. Unlike to humble Naomi are many, who, though fallen into decay themselves, are continually boasting of their great relations. Nay, Observe the chain of thought here, and in it a chain of providences, bringing about what was designed concerning Ruth. Ruth names Boaz as one that had been kind to her. Naomi bethinks herself who that should be, and presently recollects herself: "The man is near of kin to us; now that I hear his name, I remember him very well." This thought brings in another: "He is our next kinsman, our goel, that has the right to redeem our estate that was mortgaged, and therefore from him we may expect further kindness. He is the likeliest man in all Bethlehem to set us up." Thus God brings things to our mind, sometimes on a sudden, that prove to have a wonderful tendency to our good. [3.] She appointed Ruth to continue her attendance in the fields of Boaz (Rut 2:22): "Let them not meet thee in any other field, for that will be construed a contempt of his courtesy." Our blessed Saviour is our Goel; it is he that has a right to redeem. If we expect to receive benefit by him, let us closely adhere to him, and his fields, and his family; let us not go to the world and its fields for that which is to be had with him only, and which he has encouraged us to expect from him. Has the Lord dealt bountifully with us? Let us not be found in any other field, nor seek for happiness and satisfaction in the creature. Tradesmen take it ill if those that are in their books go to another shop. We lose divine favours if we slight them. Some think Naomi gave her daughter-in-law a tacit rebuke; she had spoken (Rut 2:21) of keeping fast by the young men. "Nay," said Naomi (Rut 2:22), "It is good that thou go out with his maidens; they are fitter company for thee than the young men." But they are too critical. Ruth spoke of the young men because they were the principal labourers, and to them Boaz had given directions concerning her; and Naomi takes it for granted that, while she attended the young men, her society would be with the maidens, as was fit. Ruth dutifully observed her mother's directions; she continued to glean, to the end, not only of barley-harvest, but of the wheat-harvest, which followed it, that she might gather food in harvest to serve for winter, Pro 6:6-8. She also kept fast by the maidens of Boaz, with whom she afterwards cultivated an acquaintance, which might do her service, Rut 2:23. But she constantly came to her mother at night in due time, as became a virtuous woman, that was for working days, and not for merry nights. And when the harvest was ended (as bishop Patrick expounds it) she did not gad abroad, but kept her aged mother company at home. Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land, and we know what a disgrace her vanity ended in. Ruth kept at home, and helped to maintain her mother, and went out on no other errand than to get provision for her, and we shall find afterwards what preferment her humility and industry ended in. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? Honour is before him.
Continue studying Ruth 2:17 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
This verse powerfully illustrates the tangible outcome of Ruth's diligent labor and the extraordinary provision she received through Boaz's kindness. This verse marks the culmination of her first day of gleaning, revealing that her efforts, coupled with divine favor and human generosity, yielded a remarkably abundant harvest—an ephah of barley—far exceeding what might typically be expected from a single gleaner and underscoring the miraculous nature of God's care for the vulnerable.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning and impact. The precise quantification of "about an ephah of barley" serves as a form of hyperbole (or at least a remarkable understatement of divine favor), as this amount was exceptionally large for a single gleaner, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the provision. This specific detail also functions as symbolism, where the abundant grain symbolizes God's overflowing blessing and Boaz's generous character, foreshadowing the greater spiritual and material abundance that will come through their developing relationship. The narrative's focus on Ruth's diligent labor followed by such a substantial yield creates a powerful sense of cause and effect, subtly highlighting the principle that faithfulness and hard work, combined with divine favor, lead to blessing. Furthermore, the entire scene is an instance of foreshadowing, as Boaz's initial generosity with the grain prefigures his ultimate act of redemption as the kinsman-redeemer, providing not just sustenance but a future, family, and security for Ruth and Naomi.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ruth 2:17 stands as a powerful testament to God's providential care, demonstrating how divine sovereignty often works through human diligence and generosity. It illustrates that while God commands His people to work and takes pleasure in their labor, He also orchestrates circumstances and moves hearts to provide abundantly, often exceeding expectations. The Law of Gleaning, established in Leviticus 19 and Deuteronomy 24, was not merely a social welfare program but a theological statement about God's character as provider for the vulnerable and His expectation that His people reflect His generosity. Ruth's diligence in gleaning, combined with Boaz's intentional kindness, paints a vivid picture of how human responsibility and divine grace converge to meet needs and bring blessing. This verse reminds us that God's provision is often tangible, practical, and comes through the hands of others, calling us both to trust in His supply and to be channels of His blessing, reflecting His heart of compassion to those around us.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ruth 2:17 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, encouraging us to cultivate a posture of diligence, trust, and generosity. Ruth's commitment to working "until even" reminds us that faithfulness in our daily tasks, no matter how humble or seemingly insignificant, is honored by God. Our work, whether in the home, workplace, or ministry, is a sphere where God's character is revealed and where His blessings can flow. Simultaneously, the abundance of the ephah of barley calls us to trust in God's provision, recognizing that He often provides for our needs in unexpected and overflowing ways, frequently through the kindness of others. This challenges us to remain open to receiving help and to acknowledge God's hand in every blessing, fostering a spirit of gratitude. Finally, Boaz's intentional generosity serves as a powerful model for us: we are called not merely to observe the needs of others but to actively and intentionally seek ways to bless and provide, especially for the vulnerable and marginalized, thereby reflecting the heart of our providing God and becoming instruments of His grace in the world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was an ephah, and why is it significant that Ruth gleaned "about an ephah"?
Answer: An ephah was a standard dry measure in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 3/5 of a bushel or about 22 liters (approximately 15-20 kilograms of barley). Its significance in Ruth 2:17 lies in the fact that this was an exceptionally large amount for a single person to glean in one day. Under normal circumstances, a gleaner would gather far less, perhaps only enough for a single meal or a day's sustenance. This extraordinary yield highlights the immense generosity of Boaz, who had instructed his reapers to intentionally leave extra grain for Ruth (Ruth 2:15-16), and underscores the providential hand of God ensuring Ruth and Naomi's abundant provision. It signifies not just mere sustenance, but an overflowing blessing that speaks to God's lavish care for His people.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Ruth 2:17, with its themes of diligent labor, abundant provision, and the generous kinsman, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Boaz, the generous provider and future kinsman-redeemer, serves as a beautiful type of Christ. Just as Boaz freely provided for Ruth, a destitute foreigner with no claim, so too does Christ abundantly provide for us, who were once spiritual foreigners and destitute in our sin, alienated from God's covenant (Ephesians 2:12-13). The "ephah of barley" represents a tangible, overflowing provision that far exceeds what Ruth could have earned or expected. This foreshadows the immeasurable spiritual blessings we receive in Christ—not merely enough to survive, but an abundance of grace, forgiveness, and eternal life, lavished upon us (Ephesians 1:7-8). Christ, our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, did not just leave us "handfuls" of grace but gave His very life as the perfect sacrifice, taking away our sin and making us righteous before God (John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Through Him, we receive an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:3-4). Ruth's diligent gleaning, rewarded with superabundant provision, points to the truth that while we are called to faithfulness, our ultimate salvation and provision come not from our own works, but from the overflowing, unmerited grace of Christ, who truly satisfies our deepest hunger and thirst with the bread of life (John 6:35).