Ruth 2:17
What does Ruth 2:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 2:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 2:17 means
Ruth labors until evening, then beats out her gleanings, yielding about an ephah of barley—a significant amount. The result combines her diligence with Boaz’s intentional generosity. Ruth’s steady work is honored; she gathers not scraps but a supply sufficient for real relief. The detail underscores the effectiveness of Boaz’s arrangements and the faithfulness of Ruth’s effort. What began as a risky day for a vulnerable widow ends in tangible abundance, a sign that God’s providence often meets human responsibility in quiet, fruitful cooperation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So she gleaned in the field until even; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So she gleaned in the field until even; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So she went on getting together the heads of grain till evening; and after crushing out the seed it came to about an ephah of grain.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And she gleaneth in the field till the evening, and beateth out that which she hath gleaned, and it is about an ephah of barley;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752She gleaned therefore in the field till evening: and beating out with a rod, and threshing what she had gleaned, she found about the measure of an ephi of barley, that is, three bushels:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out what she had gleaned; and it was about an ephah of barley.
Context
The narrative now quantifies the day’s blessing, confirming the success of Boaz’s behind-the-scenes instructions (vv. 15–16) and Ruth’s hard work. This concrete outcome prepares for the next scene at home, where Naomi will see the surprising volume and draw conclusions about the benefactor. Verses 18–19 transition from field to household, turning private provision into shared encouragement.
v.16And also pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it, and let her glean, and rebuke her not.
v.17This passage
v.18And she took it up, and went into the city; and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth and gave to her that which she had left after she was sufficed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 31:27
She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
- Exodus 16:36
Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.
- Ezekiel 45:11
The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of a homer, and the ephah the tenth part of a homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer.
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