Ruth 2:17

KJV

¶ So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.

KJV (with Strong's)

So she gleaned {H3950} in the field {H7704} until even {H6153}, and beat out {H2251} that she had gleaned {H3950}: and it was about an ephah {H374} of barley {H8184}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So she gleaned in the field until evening. When she beat out what she had gathered, it came to about a bushel of barley.

Berean Standard Bible

So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening. And when she beat out what she had gleaned, it was about an ephah of barley.

American Standard Version

So she gleaned in the field until even; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes Ruth's first day of gleaning in Boaz's field, following a series of significant interactions that highlight divine providence and human compassion. Earlier in the chapter, Ruth, a destitute Moabite widow, expresses her intention to glean for sustenance, humbly seeking favor ([Ruth 2:2](/ruth/2-2 "Ruth 2:2 - Ruth's Request to Glean")). Providentially, she finds herself in the field of Boaz, a wealthy and honorable kinsman of Naomi, whose land she happened upon "by chance" ([Ruth 2:3](/ruth/2-3 "Ruth 2:3 - Ruth Finds Boaz's Field")). Boaz, having heard of her loyal devotion to Naomi, extends remarkable favor to her, instructing his young men not to bother her, allowing her to drink from their water, and even commanding his reapers to intentionally leave extra grain for her to glean ([Ruth 2:8-16](/ruth/2-8 "Ruth 2:8-16 - Boaz's Kindness to Ruth")). Thus, the "ephah of barley" mentioned in [Ruth 2:17](/ruth/2-17 "Ruth 2:17 - Ruth's Abundant Gleaning") is not merely the result of her arduous work but a direct consequence of Boaz's exceptional generosity, which itself is a testament to God's guiding hand orchestrating events for the good of His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of gleaning was a divinely mandated provision in ancient Israel, outlined in the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 19:9-10](/leviticus/19-9 "Leviticus 19:9-10 - Laws for Gleaning") and [Deuteronomy 24:19-22](/deuteronomy/24-19 "Deuteronomy 24:19-22 - Further Gleaning Laws")). Farmers were commanded not to reap the corners of their fields or gather fallen grain, leaving it for the poor, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. This legal framework provided a social safety net, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society had a means of sustenance, albeit through laborious effort. Ruth, as a Moabite widow in a foreign land, perfectly fit the demographic for whom these laws were intended, highlighting both her vulnerability and the protective nature of Israelite law. The harvest season, typically late spring/early summer for barley, was a time of intense labor but also potential abundance, making it a critical period for survival for those dependent on gleaning, as demonstrated by Ruth's diligent work from morning until evening.
* **Key Themes:** [Ruth 2:17](/ruth/2-17 "Ruth 2:17 - Ruth's Abundant Gleaning") powerfully highlights several key themes central to the Book of Ruth. Firstly, **diligence and hard work** are profoundly evident in Ruth's commitment to gleaning "until even," demonstrating her strong work ethic and unwavering determination to provide for herself and Naomi. Secondly, the theme of **divine providence** shines through; while Ruth's effort is undeniable, the extraordinary quantity of barley she gathers is clearly a result of God's unseen hand orchestrating her path to Boaz's field and inspiring his generosity. This abundance underscores God's faithfulness in providing for His people, often through human instruments, and illustrates the principle found in [Psalm 37:25](/psalm/37-25 "Psalm 37:25 - The Righteous Not Forsaken"). Thirdly, **Boaz's generosity** is a pivotal theme, as his specific instructions to his reapers directly contributed to Ruth's remarkable yield, foreshadowing his later role as kinsman-redeemer and illustrating the power of compassionate action. Finally, the verse subtly emphasizes the theme of **faithfulness in humble tasks**, showing that God honors diligent effort even in seemingly lowly circumstances, leading to significant blessing and setting the stage for the unfolding narrative of redemption for the entire family.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gleaned (Hebrew, _lâqaṭ'_):** a primitive root; properly, to pick up, i.e. (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean. This verb describes Ruth's primary activity in the field. It signifies the laborious process of collecting the leftover stalks of grain after the reapers had passed, a right granted to the poor and vulnerable under Mosaic Law. Ruth's diligent "gleaning" was not passive begging but an active, physically demanding engagement in the harvest, emphasizing her initiative and willingness to work hard for sustenance for herself and Naomi.
* **beat out (Hebrew, _châbaṭ'_):** a primitive root; to knock out or off; beat (off, out), thresh. This word describes the process Ruth undertook after returning from the field. It refers to threshing, which involves striking the harvested stalks to separate the valuable grain from the chaff and straw. This detail highlights Ruth's thoroughness and the additional physical labor required to prepare the grain for consumption, underscoring her commitment to maximizing her yield and ensuring its usability.
* **ephah (Hebrew, _ʼêyphâh'_):** an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general. An ephah was a standard dry measure in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 3/5 of a bushel or approximately 22 liters (about 15-20 kilograms of barley). The mention of this specific quantity is crucial; it signifies an unusually abundant yield for a single day's gleaning by one person. This substantial amount far exceeded what a gleaner could typically collect, underscoring the exceptional nature of the provision Ruth received, a direct result of Boaz's extraordinary generosity and God's providential care.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So she gleaned in the field until even":** This phrase emphasizes Ruth's remarkable diligence, perseverance, and strong work ethic. She did not stop her labor prematurely but continued working throughout the entire day, from early morning until the very end of the harvest day, when the sun began to set ("until even"). This detail paints a vivid picture of her commitment to providing for herself and Naomi, demonstrating her character and unwavering resolve in the face of destitution.
* **"and beat out that she had gleaned":** Upon returning from the field, Ruth engaged in the laborious process of "beating out" the barley. This involved threshing the collected stalks to separate the edible grain from the chaff and straw. This detail further illustrates her dedication and the significant physical effort involved in preparing the grain for consumption. It shows her practical skill and foresight in managing her harvest, ensuring that the raw material she gathered was made ready for use.
* **"and it was about an ephah of barley":** This is the climactic revelation of the verse, quantifying the astonishing result of Ruth's day. An ephah was a significant amount of grain, far more than a single gleaner could typically collect in one day. This abundance is a direct testament to Boaz's extraordinary generosity—his explicit instructions to his reapers to intentionally leave extra grain for her ([Ruth 2:15-16](/ruth/2-15 "Ruth 2:15-16 - Boaz's Instructions to Reapers"))—and ultimately, to God's providential care working through human kindness. It signifies not just sustenance, but a miraculous, overflowing provision that ensured their immediate needs were met and even exceeded.

#### 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](/leviticus/19 "Leviticus 19 - Holiness Code") and [Deuteronomy 24](/deuteronomy/24 "Deuteronomy 24 - Various Laws"), 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.

* [Deuteronomy 24:19](/deuteronomy/24-19 "Deuteronomy 24:19 - Gleaning Law")
* [Proverbs 10:4](/proverbs/10-4 "Proverbs 10:4 - Diligence and Wealth")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God's Provision")

### 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
* **In what areas of your life are you called to demonstrate greater diligence and perseverance, even in seemingly humble tasks?**
* **How does Ruth's experience of abundant provision encourage your trust in God's ability to meet your needs, even when circumstances seem dire?**
* **In what practical ways can you emulate Boaz's intentional generosity in your own community or relationships, becoming a channel of God's provision for others?**
* **How does recognizing God's hand in "ordinary" provisions (like a good day's work or a kind gesture) deepen your faith and gratitude?**

### 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](/ruth/2-17 "Ruth 2:17 - Ruth's Abundant Gleaning") 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](/ruth/2-15 "Ruth 2:15-16 - Boaz's Instructions to Reapers")), 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](/ephesians/2-12 "Ephesians 2:12-13 - Formerly Aliens, Now Near")). 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](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7-8 - Redemption Through His Blood")). 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](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Through Him, we receive an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope")). 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](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 31:27

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Ezekiel 45:11

The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer, and the ephah the tenth part of an homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer.

Ezekiel 45:12

And the shekel [shall be] twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.

Exodus 16:36

Now an omer [is] the tenth [part] of an ephah.