Ruth 2:4

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

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.

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

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

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

Commentary

Ruth 2:4 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Ruth, introducing Boaz, a wealthy and righteous kinsman of Naomi, into the narrative. This verse beautifully sets the tone for the unfolding relationship between Boaz and Ruth, highlighting a culture of piety and respect deeply rooted in their faith.

Context

At this point in the story, Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, have just arrived in Bethlehem from Moab, impoverished and without male provision. Ruth, out of devotion, decides to glean in the fields to provide for them, a practice permitted by Israelite law for the poor and foreigners. Unbeknownst to her, she "happened" upon the field belonging to Boaz, a relative of Naomi's late husband, Elimelech. This verse describes Boaz's arrival from Bethlehem to his fields during the barley harvest, and his immediate interaction with his laborers.

Key Themes

  • God's Providence: The timing of Boaz's arrival and Ruth's presence in his field is presented as divinely orchestrated, setting the stage for God's plan to unfold. It illustrates how the Lord directs our steps, even when we are unaware.
  • Godly Greetings and Respect: The exchange of blessings between Boaz and his reapers ("The LORD be with you" and "The LORD bless thee") reveals a society where God's presence and blessing were acknowledged in everyday interactions, even between employer and employee. This mutual respect highlights the godly character of Boaz and his workers.
  • Work Ethic and Community: The verse paints a picture of a harmonious work environment, where a landowner actively engages with and blesses his workers, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose under God.

Linguistic Insights

The greetings exchanged are more than mere pleasantries; they are profound expressions of faith and desire for divine favor:

  • "The LORD be with you" (Hebrew: YHWH immakem - Χ™Χ”Χ•Χ” Χ’ΧžΧ›Χ): This was a common and significant blessing in ancient Israel, invoking God's active presence and favor upon someone. It signified a desire for God's protection, guidance, and blessing in their labors. This phrase echoes similar divine assurances, such as the Lord being with Joseph.
  • "The LORD bless thee" (Hebrew: YHWH yevarecheka - Χ™Χ”Χ•Χ” Χ™Χ‘Χ¨Χ›Χš): This is a reciprocal blessing, acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all good things and invoking His blessing upon Boaz. It reflects a deep understanding that prosperity and success come from God alone, similar to the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24.

Practical Application

This verse encourages believers today to:

  • Acknowledge God in Daily Life: Integrate faith into all aspects of life, including work and interactions, by seeking God's presence and offering blessings to others.
  • Cultivate Respectful Relationships: Treat everyone, regardless of social standing, with dignity and respect, recognizing their inherent value and the potential for God's work in their lives.
  • Trust in Divine Providence: Understand that God is actively working behind the scenes, orchestrating events and guiding paths, even in seemingly ordinary circumstances, for His ultimate good.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 129:7

    Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.

  • Psalms 129:8

    Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD [be] upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

  • Judges 6:12

    And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD [is] with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:16

    ΒΆ Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all.

  • Luke 1:28

    And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.

  • Psalms 118:26

    Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

  • Ruth 4:11

    And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
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