Ruth 2:5

Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel [is] this?

Then said {H559} Boaz {H1162} unto his servant {H5288} that was set {H5324} over the reapers {H7114}, Whose damsel {H5291} is this?

Then Bo'az asked his servant supervising the reapers, "Whose girl is this?"

And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, โ€œWhose young woman is this?โ€

Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

Commentary

Ruth 2:5 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, introducing the two main characters, Ruth and Boaz, to each other. This verse captures Boaz's initial observation of Ruth in his fields, setting the stage for their remarkable story of loyalty, provision, and divine providence.

Context

Following a period of famine and loss in Moab, Naomi and her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, have returned to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:19). Destitute, Ruth volunteers to go into the fields to glean leftover grain, a practice permitted by Mosaic Law for the poor and foreigners (Leviticus 19:9, Deuteronomy 24:19). The narrative emphasizes that Ruth "happened" to come to the field belonging to Boaz (Ruth 2:3), a wealthy and prominent kinsman of Naomiโ€™s late husband, Elimelech. This verse shows Boaz, a man of integrity and substance, taking notice of a new worker among his reapers.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence: What appears to be a chance encounter is, from a theological perspective, God's sovereign hand guiding Ruth to the very field where she would find favor and provision.
  • Boaz's Attentiveness and Righteousness: Boaz is portrayed as a meticulous and caring landowner. His immediate inquiry about the "damsel" demonstrates his awareness of those working in his fields, especially new faces. This attentiveness is a hallmark of his character and foreshadows his subsequent kindness and generosity towards Ruth.
  • The Beginning of a Relationship: This simple question marks the very first direct interaction that leads to the unfolding of the love story between Ruth and Boaz, ultimately culminating in their marriage and their role in the lineage of King David and Jesus Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "damsel" is na'arah (ื ืขืจื”), which simply means a young woman or girl. It highlights Ruth's youth and perhaps her vulnerability as a foreign widow working alone in the fields. Boaz's question, "Whose damsel is this?", is a direct and practical inquiry, showing his responsible oversight of his property and his workers.

Practical Application

This verse encourages us to be observant and attentive to those around us, particularly new or vulnerable individuals. Boaz's example reminds us that true leadership and compassion involve noticing the needs and circumstances of others. It also highlights the theme of God's subtle yet powerful guidance in our lives; often, what seems like coincidence can be part of a larger, divine plan for provision and blessing, as seen in Romans 8:28.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

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