Ruth 2 21

Ruth 2:21 kjv

And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

Ruth 2:21 nkjv

Ruth the Moabitess said, "He also said to me, 'You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.' "

Ruth 2:21 niv

Then Ruth the Moabite said, "He even said to me, 'Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.'?"

Ruth 2:21 esv

And Ruth the Moabite said, "Besides, he said to me, 'You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.'"

Ruth 2:21 nlt

Then Ruth said, "What's more, Boaz even told me to come back and stay with his harvesters until the entire harvest is completed."

Ruth 2 verses

Ruth 2 21 Meaning

Ruth 2:21 reveals Ruth's reporting of Boaz's extraordinary kindness and protection to Naomi. Boaz's instruction for Ruth to remain specifically with his workers throughout the entire harvest season underscores his commitment to her ongoing provision and safety. This directive signifies a protective enclosure within his fields, distinguishing her from other gleaners and ensuring her well-being while she gathered sustenance.

Ruth 2 21 Context

Ruth 2:21 is spoken by Ruth to her mother-in-law, Naomi, shortly after Ruth's initial gleaning experience in the field of Boaz. The preceding verses (Ruth 2:17-20) detail Ruth's abundant return home with gleaned barley and Naomi's inquiry about where she gleaned, revealing Boaz's name and relationship. This verse confirms Boaz's generous offer to Ruth, instructing her to glean only in his fields and to stay near his workers. This significantly alleviates Naomi's immediate fear for Ruth's safety (Ruth 2:22 mentions potential harm from other fields' young men) and ensures consistent provision throughout the crucial harvest season, which spans several weeks (barley followed by wheat). This context highlights Boaz's character as a man of honor, generosity, and protection, going beyond what was strictly required by the Law of Gleaning (Lev 19:9-10; Deut 24:19). His offer establishes a unique bond and set the stage for the redemptive acts to follow, underscoring the unfolding divine providence for this destitute family.

Ruth 2 21 Word analysis

• Then (וַתֹּאמֶר - vattomer): This conjunction introduces Ruth's direct speech, indicating an immediate continuation and response to Naomi's questions and joy in the previous verses.

• Ruth (רוּת - Ruth): The protagonist, identified by name. Her diligent actions and report showcase her obedient and dutiful character, central to the narrative.

• the Moabitess (הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּה - hamma'aviyah): This epithet consistently reminds the reader of Ruth's foreign origin, contrasting her dire situation as an alien with Boaz's unusual kindness, which transcends ethnic boundaries. It highlights God's inclusive grace (see Isa 56:3-7).

• said (תֹּאמֶר - tomer): Indicates the act of speaking, conveying information to Naomi.

• He also said to me (גַּם הוּא אָמַר אֵלַי - gam hu amar elay): Ruth's emphasis ("also he said") signifies that this new piece of information from Boaz is a significant additional kindness or instruction, perhaps reinforcing her own good experience and what Naomi had discerned about Boaz. It implies the weight of Boaz's authoritative and beneficial words.

• “You shall stay by (עִם־הַנְּעָרִים תִּדְבָּקִין - im-hanna'arim tidbāqīn):

  • tidbāqīn (תִּדְבָּקִין): Derived from dabaq (דָּבַק), meaning "to cleave," "to cling," "to adhere closely." It conveys a strong sense of joining, following, and remaining very near. This isn't just "staying close to" but actively "sticking with" them, indicating ongoing companionship and reliance for safety and direction.
  • im-hanna'arim (עִם־הַנְּעָרִים): "With the young men" or "lads." These are the male fieldworkers, servants, or supervisors responsible for the harvest. Being with them provided protection from harassment from others (Ruth 2:22) and guidance on where best to glean.

• my young men (הַנְּעָרִים אֲשֶׁר־לִי - hanna'arim asher-li): Boaz emphasizes ownership ("asher-li" - "who are to me," or "my") and implies authority and responsibility for them and for anyone in their care. This indicates that Ruth is to be associated with his household staff, signifying her protected status under his direct supervision.

• until (עַד־אִם - 'ad-'im): This preposition indicates the duration, setting a clear boundary for the protective arrangement. It implies the full extent of the period in question.

• they have finished (כִּלּוּ - killu): From kalah (כָּלָה), meaning "to complete," "to bring to an end," "to consume." It highlights the total culmination of the work.

• all (כָּל־ - kol): Emphasizes the entire, complete, and comprehensive scope of the harvest, from beginning to end.

• my harvest (הַקָּצִיר אֲשֶׁר־לִי - hakatzir asher-li): Boaz refers to "the harvest which belongs to me," again stressing proprietorship. This ensures Ruth's provision is not merely a one-time act but guaranteed throughout the multi-week, arduous, and crucial harvest period, covering both barley and wheat harvests.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "You shall stay by my young men": This command goes beyond merely allowing her to glean. It is a proactive step by Boaz to integrate her, in a protected manner, into his workforce and sphere of influence. This provided both physical safety in a time when vulnerable women could be at risk (as alluded to in Ruth 2:22) and ensured she had constant access to gleaning within his fields. This proactive protection foreshadows the greater redemption he will offer.
  • "until they have finished all my harvest": This defines the full extent of Boaz's commitment. It’s not just for a day, but for the entire harvest season (weeks or months). This signifies ongoing, sustained provision and care. It demonstrates his extraordinary generosity and responsibility for Ruth’s well-being for the long term. This contrasts sharply with the uncertainty faced by gleaners in other fields.

Ruth 2 21 Bonus section

• The detail of "my young men" contrasts implicitly with the danger posed by "other young men" in other fields, as revealed in Ruth 2:22. Boaz’s directive was a strategic protection against potential harassment, demonstrating his keen awareness of the vulnerable position of a young woman gleaning alone.
• Boaz's acts of kindness and provision are not merely fulfilling the Law (which only required leaving corners for gleaners), but going beyond the Law, demonstrating genuine, personal concern rooted in God's broader command to care for the poor, widow, and foreigner. This is a practical outworking of God's character of hesed.
• The phrase "until they have finished all my harvest" connects Ruth's immediate sustenance to Boaz's long-term agricultural enterprise. It speaks of a commitment tied to his entire season of prosperity, inviting Ruth to participate in the fruit of his labor and stewardship over the resources God had blessed him with.

Ruth 2 21 Commentary

Ruth 2:21 is a concise yet profoundly significant verse, embodying key themes of divine providence, human kindness, and developing redemption. It reports Boaz’s remarkable extension of hesed—loyal, steadfast love and kindness—to Ruth. His instruction for her to "stay by his young men" and "until they have finished all his harvest" signifies far more than simple charity; it is an active act of guardianship. He provides not just food but a safe environment and sustained, comprehensive provision for an alien, a widow, and one without means. This act anticipates the ultimate redemption to be found in Christ, who similarly invites His followers to "abide" in Him, assuring ongoing provision and protection until the "harvest" (the end of the age) (Jn 15:4, Matt 9:37-38). The verse highlights Ruth’s diligence and obedience in relaying this crucial information to Naomi, solidifying the unfolding plan of God through human intermediaries, setting the stage for Boaz to become her kinsman-redeemer.