Ruth 2 11

Ruth 2:11 kjv

And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been showed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

Ruth 2:11 nkjv

And Boaz answered and said to her, "It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.

Ruth 2:11 niv

Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband?how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.

Ruth 2:11 esv

But Boaz answered her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.

Ruth 2:11 nlt

"Yes, I know," Boaz replied. "But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers.

Ruth 2 verses

Ruth 2 11 Meaning

Ruth 2:11 captures Boaz's profound commendation of Ruth, recognizing her exceptional devotion and self-sacrificing love toward Naomi after the death of her husband. He acknowledges that she has performed deeds far beyond typical expectations, demonstrating extraordinary loyalty by leaving her familial ties and homeland to embrace a new, unknown people and, implicitly, their God.

Ruth 2 11 Context

Ruth 2:11 occurs during Ruth's initial time gleaning in Boaz's field. Having arrived in Bethlehem with Naomi, destitute widows, Ruth has proactively gone to glean in the fields, seeking sustenance. This verse is Boaz's direct response to Ruth's initial plea for favor (Ruth 2:7) and her humble astonishment at his kindness towards her (Ruth 2:10). His words reveal that Ruth's reputation for extraordinary loyalty and selfless love towards Naomi had already reached him.

In the broader context of the book, this verse is pivotal. It bridges Ruth's past commitment in Moab (Chapter 1) with her future blessing and integration into Israel through Boaz. It sets the stage for Boaz's role as kinsman-redeemer by showing his recognition of Ruth's exceptional character and adherence to the principles of chesed (steadfast love, kindness, loyalty), a key theme of the book. Historically, in ancient Israelite society, widows were highly vulnerable and depended on the kindness of relatives or the community. For a Moabite woman to show such fidelity to her Israelite mother-in-law, even leaving her own family and homeland, was deeply counter-cultural and demonstrated remarkable faith and commitment to the people of Naomi and their God. This radical departure from her own land and people for an unknown future underscored her genuine commitment, aligning her with the spirit of the Abrahamic covenant.

Ruth 2 11 Word analysis

• And Boaz answered and said unto her: Indicates a formal and direct address. Boaz speaks with authority and intention, demonstrating he has taken notice of Ruth and wishes to communicate directly with her, signaling the commencement of his patronage.

• It hath been fully shewed me (הֻגַּד לִי – hugad li): Hugad is the Hophal (causative passive) imperfect form of the Hebrew verb nagad (נגד), meaning "to declare, tell, show, make known." The Hophal signifies that the action "has been made known to me," emphasizing that this knowledge did not come by casual hearing but by clear, widespread report or revelation, perhaps even providentially orchestrated. It underscores that Ruth's actions had made a significant and public impression.

• all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law: Encompasses every aspect of Ruth’s unwavering care and devotion to Naomi, far beyond cultural expectations for a daughter-in-law, especially a foreign one. It implicitly points to her embodiment of chesed, steadfast love and loyalty, refusing to leave Naomi even when facing extreme hardship and uncertainty (Ruth 1:16-17).

• since the death of thine husband: This phrase emphasizes the precise period of Ruth's commendable actions. It highlights her loyalty during the most challenging time for Naomi—the loss of both sons—when most support might have naturally dwindled. Her devotion extended through profound grief and economic distress.

• and how thou hast left (וַתַּעַזְבִי – wattazvī): From the Hebrew verb ʿazav (עָזַב), meaning "to forsake, abandon, leave completely." This is a strong verb indicating a definitive and complete severance of ties. It conveys the deliberate and costly nature of her decision, not a temporary departure.

• thy father and thy mother: These terms signify the core of her familial ties, support system, and cultural identity. For a person, particularly a woman, in ancient Near Eastern society, leaving one's parents was an immense sacrifice, akin to forsaking one's social safety net, heritage, and identity.

• and the land of thy nativity: Refers to Moab, her homeland. To leave one's native land meant to abandon ancestral heritage, economic security, established social order, and the worship of familiar gods (e.g., Chemosh of Moab). This act further emphasizes the depth of her commitment, moving from certainty to uncertainty.

• and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore: This highlights Ruth's extreme vulnerability and foreignness. She came to a place with no prior connections, relying solely on her faith, Naomi, and the kindness of strangers, especially those who embodied the chesed of Israel. It underscores her willingness to step into the unknown purely out of loyalty and, implicitly, faith in the God of Israel whom Naomi worshipped.

• "all that thou hast done... and how thou hast left... and art come...": This phrase-group articulates a sequence of highly impactful actions. First, Ruth's compassionate conduct towards Naomi; second, her radical break from her past for Naomi's sake; and third, her bold venture into an unfamiliar land. This threefold declaration magnifies the exceptional nature of Ruth’s choices, underlining their comprehensive and unwavering commitment. These actions demonstrated proactive, profound loyalty, making her reputation deserving of the favor she was receiving.

Ruth 2 11 Bonus section

• The profound significance of Ruth's departure from her father, mother, and homeland is magnified when understood through the lens of ancient society, where family lineage and tribal land were foundational to identity and security. Her move was a testament to a shift in allegiance from earthly securities to a dependence on the God of Israel through her connection with Naomi.
• Boaz's immediate and comprehensive knowledge of Ruth’s deeds, signified by "it hath been fully shewed me," highlights how selfless acts of loyalty, though potentially unseen by many, do not go unnoticed in the grander scheme, suggesting divine awareness and orchestration of events to bring her good reputation to the attention of her kinsman-redeemer.
• Ruth's actions echo the call given to Abraham in Gen 12:1 to "go from your country and your kindred and your father's house," establishing her as a model of faith and radical obedience to an unseen calling, placing her in a significant theological trajectory within salvation history, even leading to her inclusion in the lineage of David and, ultimately, the Messiah.
• This verse provides strong evidence that Boaz’s motivation to bless Ruth was not based on her appeal or appearance alone but on her renowned virtuous character, rooted in concrete acts of selfless chesed. It's a recognition of inner qualities shaping her outward actions.

Ruth 2 11 Commentary

Ruth 2:11 serves as Boaz's eloquent validation of Ruth’s extraordinary character and unwavering chesed. His words reveal that Ruth's reputation for devotion to Naomi and courageous self-sacrifice, epitomized by leaving everything familiar behind—her parents, homeland, and past identity—to come to an alien land and people, has reached him and impressed him deeply. This comprehensive acknowledgment demonstrates that her actions were not unnoticed but fully seen, highlighting the divine providence at work. Boaz's precise enumeration of her sacrifices underscores the immense cost of her loyalty and commitment, not just to Naomi, but also implicitly to the God of Israel (as suggested by Ruth 1:16-17). This commendation forms the basis for Boaz’s subsequent acts of protection and provision, initiating the redemptive narrative. It teaches that radical, costly acts of faithful love, born from selflessness, are observed and ultimately honored, aligning one with divine favor and blessing.

• A pastor acknowledging a congregant who moved far from home and family to faithfully serve in a mission field, having no prior connections.
• A mentor recognizing a student who sacrificed personal ambition and familiar comforts to pursue a difficult path of serving others, known only by reputation.
• An employer noticing a new team member who goes above and beyond to support a colleague in a crisis, despite having no prior relationship with them, thus establishing a reputation of exceptional character.