Ruth 2 3

Ruth 2:3 kjv

And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Ruth 2:3 nkjv

Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Ruth 2:3 niv

So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

Ruth 2:3 esv

So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.

Ruth 2:3 nlt

So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.

Ruth 2 verses

Ruth 2 3 Meaning

Ruth 2:3 describes Ruth's initiative to gather leftover grain in the fields, a common practice for the poor. It states that as she went to glean, she "happened" to come upon a portion of a field that belonged to Boaz, who was a relative of her deceased husband, Elimelech. This verse subtly highlights both human diligence and divine orchestration, setting the stage for God's providential care in her life.

Ruth 2 3 Context

Ruth 2:3 follows Ruth's fervent vow to stay with Naomi and cleave to her God (Ruth 1:16-17) and their subsequent arrival in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest (Ruth 1:22). Naomi, broken and empty, saw no future. Ruth, however, actively sought a way to provide for herself and her mother-in-law. This verse describes her initial action to meet their immediate physical need for food. The cultural and historical context is the gleaning law established in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, which mandated landowners leave a portion of their harvest for the poor, the sojourner, and the widow. Ruth, as a foreign widow, had a right to glean but also faced vulnerability. Her going to the field and her "chance" encounter with Boaz's field is the pivotal turning point, shifting their desolate situation towards hope and restoration.

Ruth 2 3 Word analysis

• So she went (וַתֵּלֶךְ, va-te-lekh):

  • Word: "Went" (from הָלַךְ, halakh). This simple verb emphasizes Ruth's active choice and diligence. She didn't wait; she took initiative.
  • Significance: It highlights her practical faith and strong character. Despite hardship, she chose to work rather than succumb to despair, a testament to her resolute loyalty from Ruth 1.

• and came (וַתָּבוֹא, va-ta-vo):

  • Word: "Came" (from בּוֹא, bo). Indicates her arrival and entry into the activity.
  • Significance: Connects her active "going" with the actual engagement in the labor.

• and gleaned (וַתְּלַקֵּט, va-t-laket):

  • Word: "Gleaned" (from לָקַט, laqat), specifically meaning to gather what is dropped or left behind.
  • Significance: This is a direct reference to the Mosaic Law (Lev 19:9-10; Deut 24:19). It establishes Ruth's compliance with a divinely ordained provision for the needy. It's a humble, laborious task.

• in the field (בַּשָּׂדֶה, ba-sadeh):

  • Word: "Field" (שָּׂדֶה, sadeh). Generic term for an agricultural area.
  • Significance: Specifies the locale of her activity, aligning with agricultural practices of the time.

• after the reapers (אַחֲרֵי הַקֹּצְרִים, acharei ha-kotz-rim):

  • Word: "After the reapers" (קֹצֵר, kotzer - harvesters).
  • Significance: Confirms her adherence to the gleaning laws. She was not cutting standing grain but humbly gathering remnants, indicating her integrity and respect for the landowners' property.

• And she happened (וַיִּקֶר, vay-yiker):

  • Word: "Happened" (from קָרָא, qarah, to meet, to come about). This is arguably the most crucial word in the verse. On the surface, it suggests fortuity or chance.
  • Significance: The theological interpretation of vay-yiker is vital. While translated as "happened" or "chanced," in biblical narrative, especially where divine figures are not explicitly named, it often subtly signifies divine providence or a "divine appointment" without overtly stating God's direct hand. The Book of Ruth consistently demonstrates God's hidden but active guidance. This "chance" meeting is revealed through the subsequent events to be no accident but part of God's sovereign plan. It contrasts human perception of random events with divine purpose.

• to come (לָקֶרֶת, laqqa'at):

  • Word: To collect, similar to glean, but in the context of the unexpected meeting.
  • Significance: Reiterates the purpose of her presence in the field – gathering food.

• to the part of the field (חֵלֶק הַשָּׂדֶה, cheleq ha-sadeh):

  • Word: "Part of the field" (חֵלֶק, cheleq - portion).
  • Significance: Emphasizes that it was a specific section of the wider harvest area.

• belonging to Boaz (לְבֹעַז, le-vo'az):

  • Word: "To Boaz" (בֹּעַז, Bo'az).
  • Significance: The revelation of Boaz's ownership is pivotal. Boaz is introduced as the kinsman-redeemer (Ruth 2:1), setting up the lineage of David and ultimately Christ. Her steps were supernaturally guided to this particular man who would play a crucial role in her and Naomi's redemption.

• who was of the family of Elimelech (מִמִּשְׁפַּחַת אֱלִימֶלֶךְ, mi-mishpachat Elimelekh):

  • Word: "From the family of Elimelech" (מִשְׁפָּחָה, mishpachah - family/clan).
  • Significance: Establishes the crucial familial link between Boaz and Naomi/Ruth. This connection is fundamental for the execution of the levirate marriage law and kinsman-redeemer concept central to the book, ensuring continuity of lineage and property. It signifies that Ruth, in her random search for sustenance, was led to the one person divinely designated to help fulfill God's covenantal promises to her and Naomi.

Ruth 2 3 Bonus section

The word vay-yiker (happened/chanced) is highly significant. While it could imply randomness, within the biblical narrative's broader context of divine sovereignty, it is understood as providence rather than chance. The Book of Ruth is masterful in its depiction of God's behind-the-scenes work, showing how His will unfolds through seemingly ordinary events and human choices. This hidden providence contrasts with books like Exodus, where God's hand is overtly miraculous. The literary skill lies in attributing a crucial encounter to "chance" while the theological message asserts it was part of God's meticulously ordered plan for Ruth, Naomi, and the lineage of Christ. It illustrates that "fortune" for believers is truly "God-ordained appointment."

Ruth 2 3 Commentary

Ruth 2:3 serves as the hinge point of the entire Book of Ruth, transforming despair into dawning hope. It presents a remarkable interplay between human effort and divine providence. Ruth, out of desperate necessity and profound loyalty, takes the humble initiative to glean, embodying diligence and determination. Her willingness to undertake such laborious work as a foreigner highlights her admirable character. Yet, the critical phrase, "and she happened," underscores that this seemingly accidental choice was in fact part of God's unseen, sovereign hand guiding her steps. Through what appears to be pure coincidence, she is led precisely to the field of Boaz, a relative uniquely positioned to fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer (go'el) for her family. This "happening" is a demonstration of God's covenantal faithfulness, watching over and providing for the vulnerable, orchestrating circumstances to bring about His purposes—not just for Ruth and Naomi, but ultimately for the lineage of David and the Messiah. It teaches that even in the ordinary, diligent acts of obedience and need, God is actively at work, bringing His good plans to fruition.