Ruth 2:19
What does Ruth 2:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 2:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 2:19 means
Naomi, astonished, asks where Ruth gleaned and works today, then pronounces a blessing on the one who noticed her. Ruth reports the man’s name: Boaz. Naomi sees that someone has not only allowed Ruth to glean but has treated her with exceptional favor. Her instinct is to bless the benefactor even before she knows his identity, showing a heart ready to recognize God’s kindness. When Ruth names Boaz, the narrative links the day’s events back to the kinship introduced at the chapter’s start, preparing for deeper significance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And her mother-in-law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to-day? and where hast thou wrought? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she showed her mother-in-law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to-day is Boaz.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And her mother-in-law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to-day? and where hast thou wrought? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she showed her mother-in-law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to-day is Boaz.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And her mother-in-law said to her, Where did you take up the grain today, and where were you working? May a blessing be on him who gave such attention to you. And she gave her mother-in-law an account of where she had been working, and said, The name of the man with whom I was working today is Boaz.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And her mother-in-law saith to her, `Where hast thou gleaned to-day? and where hast thou wrought? may he who is discerning thee be blessed.' And she declareth to her mother-in-law with whom she hath wrought, and saith, `The name of the man with whom I have wrought to-day <FI>is<Fi> Boaz.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And her mother in law said to her: Where hast thou gleaned today, and where hast thou wrought? blessed be he that hath had pity on thee. And she told her with whom she had wrought: and she told the man's name, that he was called Booz.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And her mother-in-law said to her, Where hast thou gleaned to-day? and where hast thou wrought? Blessed be he that did regard thee! And she told her mother-in-law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to-day is Boaz.
Context
Naomi’s questions and blessing respond to the visible abundance. Naming Boaz connects all earlier threads: his relationship to Elimelech (v. 1), Ruth’s “chance” arrival (v. 3), and the day’s outcome (v. 17). This sets up Naomi’s theological interpretation and revelation in verse 20, where she will see God’s covenant kindness at work and identify Boaz as a near kinsman.
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.
v.19This passage
v.20And Naomi said unto her daughter-in-law, Blessed be he of Jehovah, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is nigh of kin unto us, one of our near kinsmen.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 7:21
And he set up the pillars at the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin; and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.
- Psalms 41:1
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil.
- Ruth 2:10
Then 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?
- 2 Corinthians 9:13
seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all;
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