Ruth 2:3
What does Ruth 2:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 2:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 2:3 means
Ruth goes out and begins to glean after the reapers—taking the place God’s law afforded to the poor and the foreigner. The text notes that “her hap was to light” on Boaz’s field, stressing the appearance of chance while inviting readers to perceive God’s providence. Ruth does not strategize her way to Boaz; she simply works, and God directs her steps. The detail that Boaz is of Elimelech’s family, repeated here, reinforces the quiet alignment of circumstances. Behind an ordinary day’s labor, God places Ruth exactly where she needs to be for protection, provision, and, eventually, redemption.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And she went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And she went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And she went, and came and took up the heads of grain in the field after the cutters; and by chance she went into that part of the field which was the property of Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And she goeth and cometh and gathereth in a field after the reapers, and her chance happeneth--the portion of the field is Boaz's who <FI>is<Fi> of the family of Elimelech.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752She went, therefore, and gleaned the ears of corn after the reapers. And it happened that the owner of that field was Booz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And she went; and she came and gleaned in the fields after the reapers; and she chanced to light on an allotment of Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.
Context
Having set Ruth in motion, the story immediately highlights a providential turn: the field she enters belongs to Boaz, the relative just introduced. This is the hinge on which the chapter turns from need to favor. Verse 3 stands between Ruth’s initiative (v. 2) and Boaz’s arrival (v. 4), preparing us to see that the forthcoming kindness is no accident. What follows will unveil Boaz’s character and God’s care working through him.
v.2And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
v.3This passage
v.4And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, Jehovah be with you. And they answered him, Jehovah bless thee.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11
and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you;
- Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father:
- 2 Thessalonians 3:12
Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
- 2 Kings 8:5
And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored to life him that was dead, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
- Esther 6:1
On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
- Luke 10:31
And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
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