Ruth 2:11

What does Ruth 2:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Ruth 2:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ruth 2:11 means

Boaz explains that he has been fully informed of Ruth’s steadfast love toward Naomi since her husband’s death, and of her costly choice to leave parents and homeland to join a people she did not previously know. He honors her courage and loyalty as acts of faith. Ruth’s devotion to Naomi reflects a heart aligned with Israel’s God and people. Boaz sees beyond ethnicity to character demonstrated in hardship. He names the sacrifices Ruth has made and, by doing so, affirms that her present favor is not random but a fitting response to a life of humble, trusting obedience in the face of loss.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Boaz answering said to her, I have had news of everything you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband; how you went away from your father and mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people who are strange to you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Boaz answereth and saith to her, `It hath thoroughly been declared to me all that thou hast done with thy mother-in-law, after the death of thy husband, and thou dost leave thy father, and thy mother, and the land of thy birth, and dost come in unto a people which thou hast not known heretofore.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he answered her: All hath been told me, that thou hast done to thy mother in law after the death of thy husband: and how thou hast left thy parents, and the land wherein thou wast born, and art come to a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Boaz answered and said to her, It has fully been shewn me, all that thou hast done to 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 to a people that thou hast not known heretofore.

Context

In answer to Ruth’s question (v. 10), Boaz gives the moral and relational grounds for his kindness. He recalls her history and choices—publicly known and praiseworthy. This recognition sets the stage for the blessing he will pronounce in verse 12, where he frames Ruth’s sacrifices as acts of seeking refuge in Jehovah. Boaz’s words also prepare the reader to see him as an instrument of the Lord’s reward.

v.10Then 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?

v.11This passage

v.12Jehovah recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of Jehovah, the God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to take refuge.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ruth 1:11

    And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

  • Hebrews 11:24

    By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

  • Luke 18:29

    And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or wife, or brethren, or parents, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,

  • Luke 14:33

    So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

  • Luke 5:23

    Which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?

  • Luke 5:11

    And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him.

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