Ruth 2:20
What does Ruth 2:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 2:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 2:20 means
Naomi blesses Boaz in the name of Jehovah, declaring that the Lord has not ceased His kindness to the living and the dead. She reveals that Boaz is a near kinsman—one of their close relatives with potential responsibility for the family’s well-being. Naomi’s bitter outlook begins to heal as she perceives God’s steadfast love operating through Boaz. The mention of kindness to the dead honors Elimelech and Mahlon, whose line and property may yet be secured. This turning point introduces the theme of redemption that will blossom in the chapters ahead and, in the long view, lead to the lineage from which Christ comes.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, May the blessing of the Lord, who has at all times been kind to the living and to the dead, be on him. And Naomi said to her, The man is of our family, one of our near relations.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Naomi saith to her daughter-in-law, `Blessed <FI>is<Fi> he of Jehovah who hath not forsaken His kindness with the living and with the dead;' and Naomi saith to her, `The man is a relation of ours; he <FI>is<Fi> of our redeemers.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Noemi answered her: Blessed be he of the Lord: because the same kindness which he shewed to the living, he hath kept also to the dead. And again she said: The man is our kinsman.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, Blessed be he of Jehovah, who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead! And Naomi said to her, The man is near of kin to us, one of those who have the right of our redemption.
Context
Ruth has just named Boaz (v. 19). Naomi interprets the providence: God’s covenant kindness is active, and Boaz’s identity as near kinsman carries legal and redemptive implications. This revelation reframes the day’s events as more than generosity—they may lead to family restoration. The next verses (21–22) will consider Boaz’s instructions about staying through the harvests and Naomi’s practical counsel to keep close to his maidens.
v.19And 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.
v.20This passage
v.21And Ruth the Moabitess said, Yea, he said unto me, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Leviticus 25:25
If thy brother be waxed poor, and sell some of his possession, then shall his kinsman that is next unto him come, and shall redeem that which his brother hath sold.
- Ruth 3:9
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thy handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
- Ruth 4:14
And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not left thee this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel.
- Philippians 4:10
But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity.
- Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
- Job 29:12
Because I delivered the poor that cried, The fatherless also, that had none to help him.
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