Ruth 2:6

And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It [is] the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

And the servant {H5288} that was set {H5324} over the reapers {H7114} answered {H6030} and said {H559}, It is the Moabitish {H4125} damsel {H5291} that came back {H7725} with Naomi {H5281} out of the country {H7704} of Moab {H4124}:

The servant supervising the reapers answered, "She's a girl from Mo'av who returned with Na'omi from the plain of Mo'av.

The foreman answered, โ€œShe is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab.

And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

Commentary

Ruth 2:6 continues the narrative of Ruth's arrival in Bethlehem and her initial encounter with Boaz. After Boaz observes Ruth gleaning in his field and asks his foreman about her identity (Ruth 2:5), this verse provides the servant's direct answer.

Context

Having returned to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of their husbands in Moab, Ruth, a widow and a foreigner, takes the initiative to glean in the fields to provide for their sustenance. The Israelite law permitted the poor, widows, and foreigners to gather leftover grain after the reapers (Leviticus 19:9). Ruth "happens" to come to the field of Boaz, a wealthy and respected kinsman of Naomi's late husband Elimelech. This verse is key as it's the moment Boaz receives specific information about Ruth from the servant overseeing his reapers.

Key Themes

  • Identification and Origin: The servant immediately identifies Ruth by her ethnicityโ€”"the Moabitish damsel." This highlights her foreign status, which was significant in Israelite society, especially given the historical animosity and legal restrictions against Moabites (Deuteronomy 23:3).
  • Loyalty and Devotion: The servant also notes that she "came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab." This statement is crucial because it confirms her extraordinary loyalty to Naomi, underscoring the choice she made to leave her homeland and people to stay with her mother-in-law, a decision famously articulated in Ruth 1:16. Her presence in Bethlehem is a direct result of this faithfulness.
  • Divine Providence: While appearing coincidental, Ruth's presence in Boaz's field and the servant's accurate description set the stage for Boaz's subsequent kindness and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating how divine providence often works through seemingly ordinary circumstances.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Moabitish damsel" in Hebrew is na'arah Mo'aviyah (ื ึทืขึฒืจึธื” ืžื•ึนืึฒื‘ึดื™ึธึผื”). The term na'arah simply means 'young woman' or 'girl'. The significant part is Mo'aviyah, which explicitly marks her ethnicity. This ethnic identifier is not merely descriptive but carries theological weight, as Moabites were often viewed as outsiders and even adversaries by the Israelites. Yet, it is precisely this "Moabitish damsel" whom God chooses to bring into the lineage of David and, ultimately, the Messiah.

Practical Application

Ruth 2:6 reminds us that God sees and knows those who are faithful, even when they are strangers or in humble circumstances. Ruth's reputation, built on her loyalty and commitment to Naomi, preceded her and was recognized. This verse encourages us to remember that acts of kindness, devotion, and faithfulness, even when seemingly small or unnoticed by many, are observed by God and often open doors for divine blessing and provision. It also highlights God's inclusive nature, welcoming those from outside the traditional fold into His purposes.

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

  • Ruth 1:22

    So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

  • Genesis 39:4

    And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all [that] he had he put into his hand.

  • Genesis 15:2

    ยถ And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus?

  • Genesis 24:2

    And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

  • Ruth 1:19

    ยถ So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, [Is] this Naomi?

  • Matthew 24:45

    Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

  • Ruth 1:16

    And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, [or] to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people [shall be] my people, and thy God my God:
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