Ruth 2:10
What does Ruth 2:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 2:10 means
Overwhelmed, Ruth falls on her face and asks why she has found such favor, especially as a foreigner. Her posture and words show deep humility and a keen awareness of her outsider status. She does not view Boaz’s kindness as her due but as grace. Ruth’s question is not a challenge but a confession: she knows she has no claim on such generosity. Her response models the heart that receives mercy rightly—astonishment mingled with gratitude. In this moment, Ruth is lifted up not by asserting rights but by acknowledging kindness she could not demand.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found favor in thy sight, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a foreigner?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found favor in thy sight, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a foreigner?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then she went down on her face to the earth, and said to him, Why have I grace in your eyes, that you give attention to me, seeing I am from a strange people?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And she falleth on her face, and boweth herself to the earth, and saith unto him, `Wherefore have I found grace in thine eyes, to discern me, and I a stranger?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752She fell on her face, and worshipping upon the ground, said to him: Whence cometh this to me, that I should find grace before thy eyes, and that thou shouldst vouchsafe to take notice of me, a woman of another country?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, Why have I found favour in thine eyes, that thou shouldest regard me, seeing I am a foreigner?
Context
Ruth’s reaction follows Boaz’s assurances of safety and provision (vv. 8–9). The contrast between her vulnerability and his generosity is now voiced plainly. Her question invites Boaz to articulate his reasons for favor, which he does in verse 11. This exchange deepens the personal relationship forming between them and makes clear that Boaz’s grace is tied to his recognition of Ruth’s faithfulness and sacrificial love.
v.9Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
v.10This passage
v.11And 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 thy husband; and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people that thou knewest not heretofore.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 1:48
For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
- Ruth 2:13
Then she said, Let me find favor in thy sight, my lord, for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken kindly unto thy handmaid, though I be not as one of thy handmaidens.
- 2 Samuel 9:8
And he did obeisance, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
- 1 Samuel 25:23
And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and alighted from her ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground.
- Luke 1:43
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me?
- Romans 12:10
In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;
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