Ruth 2:6
What does Ruth 2:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 2:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 2:6 means
The overseer identifies Ruth as “the Moabitish damsel” who returned with Naomi from Moab. Her foreign origin is mentioned, but so is her connection to Naomi and the community’s knowledge of their return. Ruth is not an anonymous outsider; her story has preceded her. This brief report both acknowledges her vulnerability and honors her for the costly loyalty she showed to her mother-in-law. The description places Ruth within Israel’s social fabric, not as a threat but as a known sufferer seeking lawful provision. Her reputation for faithfulness is already at work preparing the favor she is about to receive.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the servant who was in authority over the cutters said, It is a Moabite girl who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the young man who is set over the reapers answereth and saith, `A young woman--Moabitess--she <FI>is<Fi> , who came back with Naomi from the fields of Moab,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he answered him: This is the Moabitess, who came with Noemi, from the land of Moab,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish maiden who came back with Naomi out of the fields of Moab;
Context
In response to Boaz’s question, the foreman supplies two essential facts: Ruth’s foreign status and her association with Naomi. This sets a tension—she is both an outsider and one who has attached herself to Israel’s people. The information shapes Boaz’s response in the next verse: he will not scorn a foreigner, nor ignore one who has shown covenant-like love. Verse 7 will add Ruth’s work ethic, further commending her to Boaz’s care.
v.5Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?
v.6This passage
v.7and 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ruth 1:16
And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, and to return from following after thee, for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God;
- Matthew 20:8
And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
- Matthew 24:45
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season?
- Genesis 39:4
And Joseph found favor in his sight, and he ministered unto him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
- Genesis 15:2
And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?
- Ruth 1:19
So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and the women said, Is this Naomi?
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