Ruth 2:14
What does Ruth 2:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 2:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 2:14 means
At mealtime Boaz invites Ruth to share bread, dip her morsel in vinegar, and eat parched grain with the reapers. She eats until satisfied and even has leftovers. This table fellowship is a notable step: a foreign gleaner sits among the workers as a welcomed guest. Boaz’s kindness is practical and warm, conferring belonging as well as sustenance. The abundance—sufficiency with some to spare—signals the gracious character of Boaz’s provision. Ruth, once empty-handed and hungry, now experiences nourishment and inclusion that surpass mere survival.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And at meal-time Boaz said unto her, Come hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers, and they reached her parched grain, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left thereof.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And at meal-time Boaz said unto her, Come hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers, and they reached her parched grain, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left thereof.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And at meal-time Boaz said to her, Come here, and take some of the bread, and put your bit into the wine. And she took her seat among the grain-cutters: and he gave her dry grain, and she took it, and there was more than enough for her meal.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Boaz saith to her, `At meal-time come nigh hither, and thou hast eaten of the bread, and dipped thy morsel in the vinegar.' And she sitteth at the side of the reapers, and he reacheth to her roasted corn, and she eateth, and is satisfied, and leaveth.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Booz said to her: At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. So she sat at the side of the reapers, and she heaped to herself frumenty, and ate and was filled, and took the leavings.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Boaz said to her at mealtime, Come hither and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers; and he reached her parched corn, and she ate and was sufficed, and reserved [some].
Context
Following Ruth’s grateful humility (v. 13), Boaz moves from words to hospitality. The shared meal demonstrates that his favor is not temporary or superficial. The narrative sets up a contrast between Ruth’s earlier destitution and her present satisfaction. After this fellowship, verses 15–16 will show Boaz quietly arranging even greater gleaning privileges, ensuring that Ruth’s provision continues without embarrassment or hindrance.
v.13Then 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.
v.14This passage
v.15And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 14:12
And he said to him also that had bidden him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors; lest haply they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.
- Proverbs 11:24
There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.
- 1 Samuel 25:18
Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched grain, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
- Psalms 23:5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
- Matthew 14:20
And they all ate, and were filled: and they took up that which remained over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.
- Isaiah 58:7
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
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