Ruth 2 6

Ruth 2:6 kjv

And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

Ruth 2:6 nkjv

So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, "It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.

Ruth 2:6 niv

The overseer replied, "She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi.

Ruth 2:6 esv

And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, "She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.

Ruth 2:6 nlt

And the foreman replied, "She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi.

Ruth 2 verses

Ruth 2 6 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial point of identification for Ruth, as the foreman of Boaz’s reapers informs Boaz that the young woman he inquired about is indeed Ruth, who has returned to Bethlehem with Naomi from the land of Moab. It establishes her identity, her connection to Naomi, and her foreign origin, all of which are vital pieces of information for the unfolding narrative and Boaz's subsequent actions.

Ruth 2 6 Context

Ruth chapter 2 opens with Ruth expressing her desire to glean in the fields to provide for herself and Naomi, who had returned impoverished and bitter from Moab. Ruth’s intention to glean, a provision of the Law for the poor and sojourner (Lev 19:9-10; Deut 24:19-22), leads her, by divine providence, to the field of Boaz, a wealthy kinsman of Elimelech (Naomi's deceased husband). Upon arriving at his field, Boaz immediately notices Ruth, who stands out as diligent and unfamiliar to him. He then asks his reapers' foreman, "Whose young woman is this?" (Ruth 2:5). Verse 6 is the foreman’s direct reply, providing crucial information that sparks Boaz's deeper interest and sets the stage for his subsequent benevolent actions and the unfolding redemption narrative. Historically, the account takes place during the period of the Judges, a time of spiritual decline and lawlessness in Israel, yet amidst this backdrop, individuals like Boaz demonstrate remarkable righteousness and adherence to the Law and the spirit of "hesed" (loyal love/kindness), offering a contrasting beacon of faith and order.

Ruth 2 6 Word analysis

• And the servant (וְהַנַּ֙עַר֙ - ve-hanna'ar):

  • Na'ar (נַ֙עַר֙): Masculine noun meaning "boy," "youth," or "servant." Here, it specifically refers to a young man in a supervisory role.
  • Significance: Boaz, a prominent and wealthy landowner, does not oversee every detail personally but delegates authority. The use of "the" (ha-) before na'ar suggests a specific individual already identified to the reader (though not to Boaz, who is asking). This highlights the orderly management of Boaz’s estate and his reliance on trusted staff.

• who was set over the reapers (אֶל־הַקּֽוֹצְרִ֖ים - el-ha-ko-tsrim):

  • Ko-tsrim (קּוֹצְרִ֖ים): Plural form of kotser, meaning "reaper" or "harvester."
  • Significance: This phrase clearly identifies the servant's role as a foreman or supervisor. He is the person responsible for managing the daily work of the reapers and, therefore, familiar with who is in the field. His knowledge allows him to quickly and accurately identify Ruth to Boaz, emphasizing his attentiveness to his duties.

• answered and said (וַיַּ֤עַן וַיֹּ֙אמַר֙ - vai-ya'an vai-yo'mar):

  • A common Hebrew narrative idiom indicating a direct verbal response to a question or statement.
  • Significance: This is not just a casual observation but a formal reply from an employee to his employer, confirming the hierarchical structure and the immediate fulfillment of Boaz's inquiry.

• She is the young woman (הִ֚יא הַנַּֽעֲרָה֙ - hi ha-na'arah):

  • Na'arah (נַּֽעֲרָה֙): Feminine form of na'ar, meaning "young woman," "maiden," or "girl."
  • Significance: It explicitly states Ruth's gender and age, classifying her as a potentially marriageable, working-age woman, consistent with her pursuit of gleaning.

• who came back with Naomi (הַשָּׁ֥בָה עִם־נָעֳמִ֖י - ha-shava im Naomi):

  • Shavah (שָּׁ֥בָה): From the verb shuv (שׁוּב), meaning "to return" or "to turn back." Here, in the feminine singular past participle form, it means "the one who returned."
  • Significance: This crucial detail connects Ruth directly to Naomi, a well-known figure in Bethlehem. It contextualizes Ruth's presence in the community as part of Naomi's return, indicating she is not a random vagrant but connected to a Bethlehemite family, even if indirectly by marriage. Naomi's name, meaning "pleasantness," would have evoked specific memories in the community.

• from the country of Moab (מִשְּׂדֵ֥י מוֹאָֽב - mi-s'de Moab):

  • S'de (שְּׂדֵ֥י): From sadeh, meaning "field" or "countryside." Here "country" is more appropriate.
  • Moab (מוֹאָֽב): A land east of the Dead Sea, historically antagonistic to Israel (Num 22, Judges 3, 2 Ki 3) and under a specific exclusion from the Israelite assembly (Deut 23:3).
  • Significance: This identifies Ruth's foreign origin. While necessary for her background, being from Moab usually carried a stigma and legal prohibition against entry into the "assembly of the Lord." This detail creates a theological tension: How can a Moabitess become integrated into Israel, especially into the lineage of David? The narrative of Ruth demonstrates divine grace overriding human or legalistic boundaries when there is genuine commitment to God. This point also tacitly challenges an overly rigid or xenophobic interpretation of Deut 23:3 by showing how God includes even the most excluded based on faith and hesed.

Ruth 2 6 Bonus section

The promptness and detail of the foreman's response highlight efficient management on Boaz's estate. It indicates a system where even a "stranger" (Ruth, until identified) is noted, implying attentiveness to the well-being and order of the harvest operations. The simple naming of her origin from Moab implicitly sets up the narrative tension surrounding her legal and social status in Israel. This tension is a central theme in the book of Ruth, ultimately resolved not by waiving the Law but by God's overarching grace working through faithful individuals, illustrating that conversion and loyalty to the God of Israel can transcend national origin. The presence of Ruth, a Moabitess, in the Davidic and ultimately Messianic lineage (Matt 1:5) underscores the inclusivity of God's redemptive plan from early on.

Ruth 2 6 Commentary

Ruth 2:6 is a concise yet pivotal verse. It immediately and precisely answers Boaz's inquiry about the unfamiliar gleaner, identifying Ruth by name (implicitly through connection to Naomi) and her recent journey. The foreman's answer is factual: "She is the young woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab." This statement is packed with meaning, as it informs Boaz that this woman is a foreigner ("from Moab"), indicating a background generally excluded from the assembly of Israel, yet she is directly associated with a prominent returning Bethlehemite, Naomi. This combination of "outsider" status and "insider" connection (via Naomi's family) sets the stage for Boaz's uniquely compassionate response. He acts not merely on custom but with divine-inspired hesed, choosing to welcome and protect one who, by legalistic standards, might have been shunned. This foreshadows a greater inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant people.