Ruth 2:2

And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after [him] in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

And Ruth {H7327} the Moabitess {H4125} said {H559} unto Naomi {H5281}, Let me now go {H3212} to the field {H7704}, and glean {H3950} ears of corn {H7641} after {H310} him in whose sight {H5869} I shall find {H4672} grace {H2580}. And she said {H559} unto her, Go {H3212}, my daughter {H1323}.

Rut the woman from Mo'av said to Na'omi, "Let me go into the field and glean ears of grain behind anyone who will allow me to." She answered her, "Go, my daughter."

And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.” “Go ahead, my daughter,” Naomi replied.

And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

Commentary

Ruth 2:2 marks a pivotal moment in the book, showcasing Ruth's initiative and the unfolding of divine providence in the lives of Ruth and Naomi. Having returned to Bethlehem destitute, Ruth proposes a practical solution for their survival.

Context

Following their return from Moab to Bethlehem, a land experiencing the beginning of the barley harvest, Ruth and Naomi face extreme poverty. As widows, they are particularly vulnerable. Ruth's suggestion to "glean ears of corn" is a direct appeal to an ancient Israelite custom and law, mandated in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19-22). This law commanded landowners to leave some of their harvest for the poor, the sojourner, and the widow to gather, ensuring basic provision and dignity. Ruth, a Moabitess, demonstrates remarkable diligence and humility by offering to undertake this laborious task for their sustenance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Diligence and Initiative: Ruth does not passively wait for help but actively seeks a way to provide for herself and Naomi. Her willingness to work hard is a central theme.
  • Humility: Gleaning was a task for the poor, often viewed as arduous and beneath those of means. Ruth embraces this humble work without complaint.
  • Seeking Grace and Favor: Ruth's phrase "in whose sight I shall find grace" (Hebrew: chen) reveals her understanding that her ability to glean effectively depended on the goodwill and favor of a landowner. This highlights the importance of human kindness and divine blessing in her journey.
  • Divine Providence: Though Ruth chooses a field "by chance" (as the narrative later implies in Ruth 2:3), the reader understands that God is sovereignly guiding her steps. This seemingly random act leads her directly to the field of Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi's late husband. This foreshadows God's intricate plan for their future, a powerful display of divine providence in action.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "glean," laqat, means to gather or pick up. It specifically refers to the practice of collecting leftover grain after the reapers have passed through. The term "grace," chen, signifies favor, kindness, or acceptance. Ruth is not demanding a right but humbly seeking benevolent regard from a landowner, demonstrating her dependence on the generosity of others.

Practical Application

Ruth's example in this verse offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Embrace Diligence: Even in difficult circumstances, we are called to be diligent and resourceful, taking active steps to address our needs and responsibilities.
  • Seek Favor Wisely: While God is our ultimate provider, He often works through people. We should humbly seek grace and opportunities from others, trusting God to open doors.
  • Trust in God's Guidance: Ruth's seemingly random choice of field was, in fact, divinely orchestrated. This reminds us that God is at work even in our everyday decisions, guiding our paths in ways we may not immediately perceive (Jeremiah 29:11).
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 23:22 (10 votes)

    And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I [am] the LORD your God.

  • Leviticus 19:9 (6 votes)

    And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.

  • Deuteronomy 24:19 (5 votes)

    When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.

  • Deuteronomy 24:21 (5 votes)

    When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean [it] afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

  • Leviticus 19:16 (2 votes)

    Thou shalt not go up and down [as] a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I [am] the LORD.

  • Ruth 2:7 (2 votes)

    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.