Ruth 2:7

Translation
King James Version
And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.
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KJV (with Strong's)
And she said H559, I pray you, let me glean H3950 and gather H622 after H310 the reapers H7114 among the sheaves H6016: so she came H935, and hath continued H5975 even H227 from the morning H1242 until now, that she tarried H3427 a little H4592 in the house H1004.
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Complete Jewish Bible
She said, 'Please, let me glean and gather what falls from the sheaves behind the reapers.' So she went and has kept at it from morning until now, except for a little rest in the shelter."
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Berean Standard Bible
She has said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the harvesters.’ So she came out and has continued from morning until now, except that she rested a short time in the shelter.”
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American Standard Version
and she said, Let me glean, I pray you, and gather after the reapers among the sheaves. So she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, save that she tarried a little in the house.
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World English Bible Messianic
She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she stayed a little in the house.”
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And shee saide vnto vs, I pray you, let mee gleane and gather after the reapers among the sheaues: so shee came, and hath continued from that time in the morning vnto now, saue that she taried a litle in the house.
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Young's Literal Translation
and she saith, Let me glean, I pray thee--and I have gathered among the sheaves after the reapers; and she cometh and remaineth since the morning and till now; she sat in the house a little.
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See also
Proverbs 18:23Proverbs 13:4Proverbs 15:33Proverbs 22:29Ephesians 5:211 Peter 5:51 Peter 5:6
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In the KJVVerse 7,157 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Ruth 2:7 presents the field overseer's detailed report to Boaz concerning Ruth, highlighting her exceptional diligence and unwavering commitment to her work. This verse reveals Ruth's proactive initiative in seeking permission to glean, her understanding of the harvest customs, and her tireless labor from dawn until late afternoon, pausing only for a brief rest. It powerfully underscores her character as a responsible and dedicated individual striving to provide for herself and Naomi, setting the stage for Boaz's subsequent benevolent actions and demonstrating the dignity of humble labor.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is pivotal in the unfolding narrative of Ruth, immediately following Ruth's courageous decision to glean in the fields to support herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi, as recounted in Ruth 2:2. It serves as the field overseer's direct testimony to Boaz, providing an objective assessment of Ruth's character and work ethic since her arrival in his field. This report is crucial because it confirms Ruth's reputation for humility and industry, distinguishing her from other gleaners and prompting Boaz's subsequent acts of extraordinary kindness and protection towards her, detailed in Ruth 2:8-16. The overseer's words validate Ruth's earnestness and diligence, justifying the special favor she receives and advancing the narrative towards the climactic encounter between Ruth and Boaz.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The setting is the barley harvest in ancient Israel, a period of intense agricultural activity and communal labor. The practice of gleaning was not merely a custom but a divinely mandated provision for the poor, the sojourner, the fatherless, and widows, as explicitly outlined in the Mosaic Law in passages like Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19-22. Landowners were commanded to leave the corners of their fields unreaped and not to gather fallen grain, allowing the needy to collect what remained. Ruth, a Moabite widow and thus a sojourner, was exercising this legal and customary right, demonstrating her proactive approach to survival. Her specific request to glean "among the sheaves" indicates her desire to work in the most productive areas, where reapers had just passed, maximizing her yield, even if it meant more strenuous effort. The "house" where she rested briefly would have been a temporary shelter or hut provided for workers in the field, highlighting the minimal nature of her break.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ruth. Foremost is the theme of diligence and perseverance, exemplified by Ruth's continuous labor from morning until evening with minimal rest. Her actions underscore the dignity of hard work and the commitment required to overcome adversity, echoing principles found in Proverbs 6:6-11. Another significant theme is initiative and humility; Ruth does not wait for charity but actively seeks permission to work, demonstrating both her self-reliance and her respectful adherence to social norms, a quality often praised in biblical wisdom literature. Finally, the verse highlights responsibility and divine provision. Ruth's proactive responsibility in seeking sustenance sets the stage for God's providential care, which often works through human faithfulness and effort. Her industriousness in the field is a direct precursor to the favor she receives from Boaz, demonstrating how human action and divine blessing intertwine in the narrative, a pattern seen throughout Scripture, such as in Philippians 2:12-13.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Glean (Hebrew, lâqaṭ, H3950): Derived from H3950, this verb means "to pick up," "to gather," or "to collect." It vividly conveys the arduous, back-breaking nature of the work, requiring constant bending and stooping to pick up individual stalks of grain left behind by the reapers. It was a humble and physically demanding task, underscoring Ruth's willingness to endure hardship for the sake of her and Naomi's survival. This term highlights the specific legal and social context of her labor.
  • Continued (Hebrew, ʻâmad, H5975): This word signifies "to stand," "to remain," or "to persist." In this context, it powerfully conveys Ruth's unwavering presence and sustained effort in the field. It paints a picture of steadfastness and endurance, highlighting her remarkable work ethic and resilience from the start of the day until its close, emphasizing her unbroken commitment to her task.
  • Tarried (Hebrew, yâshab, H3427): Rooted in H3427, yâshab means "to sit down," "to dwell," or "to remain." Here, it refers to Ruth taking a brief rest, emphasized by the subsequent phrase "a little" (H4592, mᵉʻaṭ). This detail underscores the minimal interruption to her continuous labor, reinforcing the overseer's testimony to her exceptional dedication and the brevity of her respite from work.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves": This opening clause, reported by the overseer, reveals Ruth's proactive and respectful approach. She didn't merely assume her right to glean but sought explicit permission, demonstrating her humility and adherence to proper protocol within a foreign land. Her specific request to glean "among the sheaves" indicates her determination to maximize her yield, targeting the most productive areas where the reapers had just passed, even if it meant more intensive and challenging work.
  • "so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now": This part is the overseer's direct observation and testimony to Ruth's remarkable work ethic. The phrase "from the morning until now" (which would have been late in the afternoon, given the context of Boaz's arrival) emphasizes her sustained, uninterrupted effort. It paints a picture of extraordinary diligence and physical endurance, setting her apart from typical gleaners and impressing upon Boaz her exceptional commitment.
  • "that she tarried a little in the house." This final clause further underscores Ruth's dedication by highlighting the minimal nature of her breaks. The "house" refers to a temporary shelter or hut in the field used by workers. The overseer's inclusion of this detail emphasizes that her rest was brief and insignificant compared to her continuous labor, reinforcing the impression of her tireless commitment and serving as the concluding evidence of her exemplary conduct.

Literary Devices

The verse primarily employs Characterization through indirect means. Rather than a direct authorial description, Ruth's diligence, initiative, and perseverance are revealed through the objective, third-party report of the field overseer. This lends significant credibility and weight to her admirable qualities, building anticipation for Boaz's response. There is also an element of Foreshadowing, as Ruth's exceptional work ethic and humble request for permission set the stage for Boaz's notice and subsequent favor, hinting at the divine providence that will unfold through her diligent actions. The Emphasis on Ruth's continuous work, from "continued even from the morning until now" to the brief "tarried a little," serves to amplify her extraordinary commitment and tireless nature, highlighting her as an exemplary worker.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Ruth 2:7 powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that human diligence and faithfulness often precede and are intertwined with divine provision. Ruth's tireless labor is not merely a secular act of survival but an expression of trust and responsible stewardship in the face of desperate circumstances. Her commitment to work, even in a humble and arduous task, reflects a deep-seated integrity that God honors. This verse teaches us that God's blessings are frequently channeled through our active engagement and persistent effort, rather than passive waiting. It affirms the dignity of labor and the value of a strong work ethic as a means by which God's purposes are advanced and His people are sustained, demonstrating that God often works through the ordinary faithfulness of His people.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Ruth 2:7 offers a profound example for believers today, challenging us to examine our own approach to work, responsibility, and perseverance. In a world that often seeks shortcuts or entitlements, Ruth's unwavering commitment to her task, despite her vulnerable status and the physically demanding nature of gleaning, stands as a testament to the dignity of hard work. Her story reminds us that faithfulness in the small, often unnoticed, tasks can open doors to unexpected favor and provision. It encourages us to embrace our responsibilities with diligence, knowing that our efforts, when offered in humility and trust, are seen by God and can become channels for His blessing. Like Ruth, when we apply ourselves diligently to our responsibilities, even in challenging or mundane circumstances, we often find that God orchestrates opportunities and provides for our needs in remarkable ways, demonstrating His providential care through our faithfulness and rewarding those who labor with integrity.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does Ruth's work ethic challenge my own approach to daily tasks and responsibilities, especially when they feel mundane or difficult?
  • In what areas of my life am I called to show greater diligence and perseverance, trusting that God sees and honors my efforts?
  • How does Ruth's initiative in seeking permission to glean inspire me to be proactive, respectful, and humble in my own pursuits and interactions?
  • How can I better integrate active, responsible effort with a deep trust in God's providential care, as Ruth exemplified?

FAQ

Why is the overseer's report about Ruth so detailed, emphasizing her continuous work?

Answer: The overseer's detailed report serves several crucial functions. Firstly, it provides an objective, third-party affirmation of Ruth's exceptional character and work ethic, which carries more weight than a self-report. This positive assessment immediately sets Ruth apart from other gleaners and justifies Boaz's subsequent acts of extraordinary kindness and protection towards her. It shows Boaz that Ruth is not merely seeking charity but is a responsible, industrious, and respectful individual worthy of his favor, reinforcing the theme of divine blessing following human faithfulness. The emphasis on her continuous labor "from the morning until now" highlights her remarkable dedication and endurance, making her stand out.

What is the significance of Ruth gleaning "among the sheaves" rather than just anywhere in the field?

Answer: Gleaning "among the sheaves" indicates Ruth's proactive and determined approach to maximizing her efforts. Typically, gleaners would follow at a distance, picking up what was left after the reapers had bundled the grain into sheaves. By requesting to glean "among the sheaves," Ruth was asking to work closer to the active reaping, where more grain would likely be dropped or overlooked. This was a more challenging and potentially less conventional request, but it demonstrated her intense desire to gather as much as possible for herself and Naomi, underscoring her initiative and dedication beyond the minimum expectation for a gleaner. It shows her commitment to diligent provision, not just passive receipt.

What does it mean that she "tarried a little in the house," and why is this detail included?

Answer: The phrase "tarried a little in the house" means that Ruth took only a very brief rest in a temporary shelter or hut provided for workers in the field. This detail is included by the overseer to further emphasize Ruth's extraordinary diligence and minimal breaks. It contrasts sharply with her continuous labor "even from the morning until now," highlighting that her rest was insignificant compared to her sustained effort. This small detail powerfully reinforces the overseer's overall message about Ruth's tireless commitment and unwavering work ethic, solidifying Boaz's positive impression of her and underscoring her exemplary dedication.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Ruth's diligent labor and humble perseverance in the fields of Boaz, as reported in Ruth 2:7, beautifully foreshadow the ultimate diligent worker and provider, Jesus Christ. Just as Ruth tirelessly worked to gather provision for herself and Naomi, so Christ, our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, diligently accomplished the Father's will, working tirelessly to secure our eternal provision and redemption. His life was one of continuous labor, from His early ministry, where He declared, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work," to His final sacrificial act on the cross, where He declared, "It is finished!" – a testament to His complete and perfect work of salvation. Ruth's inclusion as a Gentile into the lineage of Israel, through her humble service and Boaz's grace, points to Christ's work of bringing all nations into God's family, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham that "in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed." Her story of seeking sustenance and finding abundant provision in the field of her redeemer echoes our own spiritual journey, where we, like Ruth, come to the true field of the Lord, finding our ultimate rest and sustenance in Christ, who is the "bread of life" and the one who "gives life to the world" through His tireless work of salvation. He invites us, the spiritually poor, to glean from His abundant grace, finding eternal life and rest in Him, our true and faithful Kinsman-Redeemer.

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Commentary on Ruth 2 verses 4–16

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points(1.) (2.) Details

Now Boaz himself appears, and a great deal of decency there appears in his carriage both towards his own servants and towards this poor stranger.

I. Towards his own servants, and those that were employed for him in reaping and gathering in his corn. Harvest-time is busy time, many hands must then be at work. Boaz that had much, being a mighty man of wealth, had much to do, and consequently many to work under him and to live upon him. As goods are increased those are increased that eat them, and what good has the owner thereof save the beholding of them with his eyes? Boaz is here an example of a good master.

1.He had a servant that was set over the reapers, Rut 2:6. In great families it is requisite there should be one to oversee the rest of the servants, and appoint to each their portion both of work and meat. Ministers are such servants in God's house, and it is requisite that they be both wise and faithful, and show their Lord all things, as he here, Rut 2:6.

2.Yet he came himself to his reapers, to see how the work went forward, if he found any thing amiss to rectify it, and to give further orders what should be done. This was both for his own interest (he that wholly leaves his business to others will have it done by the halves; the master's eye makes a fat horse) and it was also for the encouragement of his servants, who would go on the more cheerfully in their work when their master countenanced them so far as to make them a visit. Masters that live at ease should think with tenderness of those that toil for them and bear the burden and heat of the day.

3.Kind and pious salutations were interchanged between Boaz and his reapers.

(1.)He said to them, The Lord be with you; and they replied, The Lord bless thee, Rut 2:4. Hereby they expressed, [1.] Their mutual respect to each other; he to them as good servants, and they to him as a good master. When he came to them he did not fall a chiding them, as if he came only to find fault and exercise his authority, but he prayed for them: "The Lord be with you, prosper you, and give you health and strength, and preserve you from any disaster." Nor did they, as soon as ever he was out of hearing, fall a cursing him, as some ill-natured servants that hate their master's eye, but they returned his courtesy: "The Lord bless thee, and make our labours serviceable to thy prosperity." Things are likely to go on well in a house where there is such good-will as this between master and servants. [2.] Their joint-dependence upon the divine providence. They express their kindness to each other by praying one for another. They show not only their courtesy, but their piety, and acknowledgement that all good comes from the presence and blessing of God, which therefore we should value and desire above any thing else both for ourselves and others.

(2.)Let us hence learn to use, [1.] Courteous salutations, as expressions of a sincere good-will to our friends. [2.] Pious ejaculations, lifting up our hearts to God for his favour, in such short prayers as these. Only we must take heed that they do not degenerate into formality, lest in them we take the name of the Lord our God in vain; but, if we be serious in them, we may in them keep up our communion with God, and fetch in mercy and grace from him. It appears to have been the usual custom thus to wish reapers good speed, Psa 129:7, Psa 129:8.

4.He took an account from his reapers concerning a stranger he met with in the field, and gave necessary orders concerning her, that they should not touch her (Rut 2:9) nor reproach her, Rut 2:15. Masters must take care, not only that they do no hurt themselves, but that they suffer not their servants and those under them to do hurt. He also ordered them to be kind to her, and let fall some of the handfuls on purpose for her. Though it is fit that masters should restrain and rebuke their servants' wastefulness, yet they should not tie them up from being charitable, but give them allowance for that, with prudent directions.

II. Boaz was very kind to Ruth, and showed her a great deal of favour, induced to it by the account he had of her, and what he observed concerning her, God also inclining his heart to countenance her. Coming among his reapers, he observed this stranger among them, and got intelligence from his steward who she was, and here is a very particular account of what passed concerning her.

1.The steward gave to Boaz a very fair account of her, proper to recommend her to his favour, Rut 2:6, Rut 2:7. (1.) That she was a stranger, and therefore one of those that by the law of God were to gather the gleanings of the harvest, Lev 19:9, Lev 19:10. She is the Moabitish damsel. (2.) That she was allied to his family; she came back with Naomi, the wife of Elimelech, a kinsman of Boaz. (3.) That she was a proselyte, for she came out of the country of Moab to settle in the land of Israel. (4.) That she was very modest, and had not gleaned till she had asked leave. (5.) That she was very industrious, and had continued close to her work from morning even until now. And the poor that are industrious and willing to take pains are fit to be encouraged. Now, in the heat of the day, she tarried a little in the house or booth that was set up in the field for shelter from the weather to repose herself, and some suggest that it is probably she retired for her devotion. But she soon came back to her work, and, except that little intermission, kept close to it all day, though it was not what she had been used to. Servants should be just in the character and reports they give to their masters, and take heed they do not misrepresent any person, nor without cause discourage their master's charity.

2.Boaz was hereupon extremely civil to her in divers instances. (1.) He ordered her to attend his reapers in every field they gathered in and not to glean in the field of another, for she should not need to go any where else to better herself (Rut 2:8): Abide here fast by my maidens; for those of her own sex were the fittest company for her. (2.) He charged all his servants to be very tender of her and respectful to her, and no doubt they would be so to one to whom they saw their master kind. She was a stranger, and it is probably her language, dress, and mien differed much from theirs; but he charged them that they should not in any thing affront her, or be abusive to her, as rude servants are too apt to be to strangers. (3.) He bade her welcome to the entertainment he had provided for his own servants. He ordered her, not only to drink of the water which was drawn for them (for that seems to be the liquor he means, Rut 2:9, drawn from the famous well of Beth-lehem which was by the gate, the water of which David longed for, Sa2 23:15), but at meal-time to come and eat of their bread (Rut 2:14), yea, and she should be welcome to their sauce too: Come, dip thy morsel in the vinegar, to make it savoury; for God allows us not only nourishing but relishing food, not for necessity only, but for delight. And for encouragement o her, and direction to the servants, he himself, happening to be present when the reapers sat down to meat, reached her parched corn to eat. It is no disparagement to the finest hand to be reached forth to the needy (Pro 31:20), and to be employed in serving the poor. Observe, Boaz was not scanty in his provision for his reapers, but sent them so much more than enough for themselves as would be entertainment for a stranger. Thus there is that scattereth and yet increaseth. (4.) He commended her for her dutiful respect to her mother-in-law, which, though he did not know her by sight, yet he had heard of (Rut 2:11): It has been fully shown me all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law. Note, Those that do well ought to have the praise of it. But that which especially he commended her for was that she had left her own country, and had become a proselyte to the Jewish religion; for so the Chaldee expounds it: "Thou hast come to be proselyted, and to dwell among a people whom thou knowest not." Those that leave all, to embrace the true religion, are worthy of double honour. (5.) He prayed for her (Rut 2:12): The Lord recompense thy work. Her strong affection to the commonwealth of Israel, to which she was by birth an alien, was such a work of the divine grace in her as would certainly be crowned with a full reward by him under whose wings she had come to trust. Note, Those that by faith come under the wings of the divine grace, and have a full complacency and confidence in that grace, may be sure of a full recompence of reward for their so doing. From this expression, the Jews describe a proselyte to be one that is gathered under the wings of the divine majesty. (6.) He encouraged her to go on in her gleaning, and did not offer to take her off from that; for the greatest kindness we can do our poor relations is to assist and encourage their industry. Boaz ordered his servants to let her glean among the sheaves, where other gleaners were not allowed to come, and not to reproach her, that is, not to call her thief, or to suspect her of taking more than was allowed her, Rut 2:15. All this shows Boaz to have been a man of a generous spirit, and one that, according to the law, considered the heart of a stranger.

3.Ruth received his favours with a great deal of humility and gratitude, and conducted herself with as much propriety in her place as he did himself in his, but little thinking that she should shortly be the mistress of that field she was now gleaning in. (1.) She paid all possible respect to him, and gave him honour, according to the usage of the country (Rut 2:10): She fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground. Note, Good breeding is a great ornament to religion; and we must render honour to whom honour is due. (2.) She humbly owned herself unworthy of his favours: "I am a stranger (Rut 2:10) and not like one of thy handmaids (Rut 2:13), not so well dressed nor so well taught, not so neat nor so handy." Note, It well becomes us all to think meanly of ourselves, and to take notice of that in ourselves which is diminishing, esteeming others better than ourselves. (3.) She gratefully acknowledged his kindness to her; though it was no great expense to him, nor much more than what he was obliged to by the divine law, yet she magnifies and admires it: Why have I found grace in thy eyes? Rut 2:10. (4.) She begs the continuance of his good-will: Let me find favour in they sight (Rut 2:13), and owns that what he had said had been a cordial to her: Thou hast comforted me, for that thou hast spoken friendly to me. Those that are great, and in high places, know not how much good they may do to their inferiors with a kind look or by speaking friendly to them; and so small an expense, one would think, they should not grudge, when it shall be put upon the score of their charity. (5.) When Boaz gave her her dinner with his reapers she only ate so much as would suffice her, and left the rest, and immediately rose up to glean, Rut 2:14, Rut 2:15. She did not, under pretence either of her want or of her labour, eat more than was convenient for her, nor so much as to unfit her for work in the afternoon. Temperance is a friend to industry; and we must eat and drink to strengthen us for business, not to indispose us to it.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 4–16. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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