Ruth 2 20

Ruth 2:20 kjv

And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

Ruth 2:20 nkjv

Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, "Blessed be he of the LORD, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!" And Naomi said to her, "This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives."

Ruth 2:20 niv

"The LORD bless him!" Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. "He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead." She added, "That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers."

Ruth 2:20 esv

And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, "May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!" Naomi also said to her, "The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers."

Ruth 2:20 nlt

"May the LORD bless him!" Naomi told her daughter-in-law. "He is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband. That man is one of our closest relatives, one of our family redeemers."

Ruth 2 verses

Ruth 2 20 Meaning

Naomi's joyful exclamation in Ruth 2:20 highlights two pivotal truths: God's continuous steadfast love (hesed) manifested through Boaz, and Boaz's crucial role as a kinsman-redeemer (go'el). She acknowledges divine blessing on Boaz for his faithfulness to her deceased family members' legacy, a faithfulness graciously extended to Ruth and herself. This declaration reveals God's active providence and care for His people, particularly the vulnerable, by raising up human instruments of His redemption and provision.

Ruth 2 20 Context

Ruth 2:20 occurs as Ruth returns to Naomi after gleaning in the fields, particularly in the field of Boaz. Chapter 2 commences with Naomi contemplating a "kinsman of her husband," thereby setting the thematic stage for the go'el. Ruth's diligent labor and Boaz's extraordinary favor and protection towards her—including providing water, sharing a meal, and instructing his workers to leave abundant gleanings—underscore a providential meeting. Naomi's inquiry, "Where have you gleaned today?", culminates in Ruth's revelation about Boaz's identity. This immediately ignites Naomi's realization of Boaz's unique position as a kinsman-redeemer. Her joyous exclamation marks a turning point in the narrative, shifting from despair to hopeful expectation. Naomi perceives God's faithful hand at work, envisioning a pathway to security and the continuation of their family's name through Boaz. Historically, within ancient Israelite society, unpropertied women like Naomi and Ruth, lacking male protectors or provisions, were extremely vulnerable. The go'el system within the Mosaic Law served as a divinely instituted safeguard to preserve family lineage, land, and provide economic and social security for vulnerable family members, reflecting God's profound compassion for the marginalized and impoverished.

Ruth 2 20 Word analysis

• "Naomi": Her name, meaning "pleasantness," returns to significance here. This declaration signifies a shift from the bitterness of "Mara" (Ruth 1:20) back to hope and renewed faith, echoing God's character.
• "said to her daughter-in-law": Highlights the deep, loving relationship that serves as a foundation for this moment of hope and for God's redemptive work within their family unit.
• "May he be blessed by the LORD" (Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ הוּא לַֽיהוָה - baruch hu laYHWH): This is a spontaneous invocation of divine favor upon Boaz. Naomi attributes Boaz's righteous and compassionate actions directly to the Lord's character and sees His blessing as the source of such goodness. It is a moment of deep gratitude and theological insight, acknowledging divine providence.
• "whose kindness" (Hebrew: חַסְדּוֹ - chasdo, his hesed): Hesed is a central theological term, signifying loyal, covenant love, unwavering faithfulness, and compassion rooted in a relationship. Boaz's exceptional care and protection of Ruth demonstrate this deep, steadfast, and active commitment, mirroring God's own attribute (e.g., Ex 34:6).
• "has not forsaken" (Hebrew: לֹא־עָזַב - lo-azav): The verb means "to abandon" or "to leave desolate." The negation emphasizes God's, and through Boaz, His continuous, active care and remembrance. This continuity speaks to enduring faithfulness, directly countering feelings of neglect or abandonment.
• "the living or the dead" (Hebrew: אֶת־הַחַיִּים וְאֶת־הַמֵּתִים - et-haḥayyīm wə’et-hammētīm): This profound phrase is pivotal. "The living" refers to Ruth and Naomi, whose immediate physical needs Boaz addressed. "The dead" refers to Naomi's deceased husband Elimelech and her sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Boaz's kindness preserves their lineage and family name, even their property rights, which otherwise faced extinction. It underscores the Israelite understanding of loyalty to and continuation of a family's identity and legacy beyond mere physical existence.
• "Naomi also said to her": This reiterates and introduces the second, equally crucial part of Naomi's realization. Her further revelation is specifically to Ruth, building their shared understanding and hope.
• "The man is a close relative of ours" (Hebrew: כִּי־קָרוֹב לָנוּ הָאִישׁ - kī qārōḇ lānū hā’īš): This identifies a blood tie, essential for understanding the subsequent role. "Close" here implies not just familial connection but a relationship that carries specific legal obligations and rights within the community.
• "one of our redeemers" (Hebrew: מִגֹּֽאֲלֵ֫נוּ - miggo'ăleynu, lit. "of our redeemers"): This is the legal and thematic climax. A go'el was the closest male kinsman responsible for defending family honor, property, and members. His duties included buying back lost property, ransoming enslaved family members, avenging bloodshed, and, crucially for Ruth's situation, marrying a childless widow to raise an heir for the deceased (levirate duty related, but here a wider application of kinsman-redemption). Naomi's recognition means Boaz is a providential solution for their dire circumstances and holds the key to the preservation of her family's line and legacy.

Ruth 2 20 Bonus section

• Literary Bridge: This verse is a literary bridge, seamlessly connecting Ruth's diligent gleaning with Boaz's potential legal and social obligation as a kinsman-redeemer, transitioning the narrative from chance encounters to a divinely orchestrated plan for redemption.
• Theology of Responsibility: The passage highlights that God's providence often works through human instruments. Boaz's hesed is not just a kind act but an embodiment of responsible action dictated by God's Law for the vulnerable within the community. This underscores the theological principle that divine care is frequently mediated through the loving service of His people.
• A "Light in Darkness": Naomi's outlook in Chapter 1 was dire, marking herself as "Mara" (bitter). This verse, through the discovery of the go'el, represents the first beam of hope, the dawning realization that God had not truly abandoned her but was orchestrating her relief. This echoes God's unfailing commitment even in seemingly desperate situations.

Ruth 2 20 Commentary

Ruth 2:20 functions as a crucial pivot in the book, marking Naomi's dramatic shift from despair and bitterness ("Mara") to renewed hope and faith in God's active involvement. Her initial pronouncement of blessing upon Boaz acknowledges his actions as a direct manifestation of divine hesed—God's loyal, covenant love. This divine attribute, mirrored in Boaz's human kindness, extends comprehensively, not only addressing the present needs of "the living" (Ruth and Naomi) but also honoring the legacy and continuity of "the dead" (Elimelech and sons). The core of Naomi's enlightenment, however, comes with her identification of Boaz as a go'el, a kinsman-redeemer. This term immediately points to God's legal and social provisions for the vulnerable, ensuring familial continuity and restoration. Boaz is thus understood as God's instrument for redeeming the family, preserving its name and inheritance. This identification foreshadows the ultimate redemption achieved through Christ, our supreme Go'el, who perfectly embodies God's eternal hesed and acts to reclaim His people and secure their eternal inheritance. The verse demonstrates that even in desolation, God's providential care is at work through the compassion and obedience of His faithful people.