Ruth 2:16

What does Ruth 2:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Ruth 2:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ruth 2:16 means

Boaz adds that the workers should intentionally pull out some stalks from the bundles and leave them for Ruth to glean, and that they must not rebuke her. This is generous premeditation: he ensures that Ruth’s labor will be fruitful without making her beg or feel singled out for pity. The prohibition against rebuke guards her from humiliation. Boaz’s mercy is wise and discreet, protecting both provision and personal honor. His care models how authority can be used to bless the vulnerable in ways that meet needs while preserving dignity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And also pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it, and let her glean, and rebuke her not.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And also pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it, and let her glean, and rebuke her not.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And let some heads of grain be pulled out of what has been corded up, and dropped for her to take, and let no sharp word be said to her.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and also ye do surely cast to her of the handfuls--and have left, and she hath gleaned, and ye do not push against her.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And let fall some of your handfuls of purpose, and leave them, that she may gather them without shame, and let no man rebuke her when she gathereth them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And ye shall also sometimes draw out for her [some ears] out of the handfuls, and leave them that she may glean, and rebuke her not.

Context

Completing the private directives begun in verse 15, this command secures Ruth’s ongoing abundance. The instructions anticipate the substantial yield reported next. By ordering his men not to rebuke her, Boaz neutralizes potential social friction. The stage is now set for the fruit of this arrangement to be seen in Ruth’s day’s work (v. 17), which will then lead to Naomi’s astonished response (vv. 18–19).

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.

v.16This passage

v.17So she gleaned in the field until even; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

Cross references

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

Psalms 112:9
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy; His righteousness endureth for ever: His horn shall be exalted with honor.
Matthew 25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.
Romans 12:13
communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.
2 Corinthians 8:5
and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
1 John 3:17
But whoso hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?
Hebrews 6:10
for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister.

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