Ruth 2:21
What does Ruth 2:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 2:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 2:21 means
Ruth adds that Boaz told her to keep fast by his young men until the end of all his harvest. This means long-term protection and provision across the entire season, not a one-time boon. Ruth faithfully reports the details, showing her submission to Boaz’s guidance and her openness to Naomi’s wisdom. The commitment of time implies a growing stability for their household. By anchoring Ruth in Boaz’s fields, the narrative gives space for trust and favor to mature without hurry or presumption.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Ruth the Moabitess said, Yea, he said unto me, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Ruth the Moabitess said, Yea, he said unto me, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Ruth the Moabitess said, Truly, he said to me, Keep near my young men till all my grain is cut.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Ruth the Moabitess saith, `Also he surely said unto me, Near the young people whom I have thou dost cleave till they have completed the whole of the harvest which I have.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Ruth said: He also charged me, that I should keep close to his reapers, till all the corn should be reaped.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said to me also, Thou shalt keep with my young men until they have ended all my harvest.
Context
After Naomi’s recognition of Boaz as near kinsman (v. 20), Ruth supplies Boaz’s instruction, extending the horizon from a single day to the season’s end. This sets up Naomi’s advice in verse 22, which refines Ruth’s company from the young men to the maidens for propriety and safety. The thread of ongoing association with Boaz’s household is strengthened, preparing for the chapter’s closing summary (v. 23).
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.
v.21This passage
v.22And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, and that they meet thee not in any other field.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ruth 2:22
And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, and that they meet thee not in any other field.
- Ruth 2:7
and she said, Let me glean, I pray you, and gather after the reapers among the sheaves. So she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, save that she tarried a little in the house.
- Song of Solomon 1:7
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, Where thou feedest thy flock, Where thou makest it to rest at noon: For why should I be as one that is veiled Beside the flocks of thy companions?
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