Tyndale Open Study NotesRuth 2

Boaz was a relative of Elimelech, so he could be a family redeemer for the widows Ruth and Naomi (see study note on Judges2:20).

glean heads of grain: Harvesters were to leave some grain for the poor to gather (see Leviticus 19:9–10; 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19–22). God ensured the poor had food.

she happened to come to: Ruth chose a field seemingly at random to gather leftover grain. God uses ordinary choices to help those who trust him.

Boaz saw Ruth as a young woman suitable for marriage (Hebrew na‘arah).

in the shelter: Many farmers in Israel's hill country built shelters next to their fields for the harvest. Workers used these shelters for shade during lunch or other breaks in the long, hard workday. You can still see these shelters in parts of the hill country.

• Boaz gave Ruth the special privilege of gleaning right behind the young women. After the men cut the grain and tied it in small bundles, the women gathered the bundles into larger sheaves. The Torah did not require farmers to allow gleaners into the fields until they took the sheaves to the threshing floor.

• I have ordered the young men not to touch you: Boaz assured Ruth that no one under his authority would taunt her or try to drive her away from his fields, even though she was there before the proper time for gleaners.

• go and drink from the jars: Boaz’s generosity saved Ruth the trouble of drawing her own water.

your maidservant: By using this term, Ruth showed she was lower in status than Boaz’s servants.

Boaz showed great hospitality by sharing his meal with Ruth, going above and beyond what was expected.

Boaz's instructions to his workers after lunch made Ruth's gleaning much more productive. Boaz gave Ruth more than the gleaning law required.

Ruth was careful and generous when she gave Naomi the leftover roasted grain.

glean: Ruth usually could not gather as much as an ephah of barley, which is about two-thirds of a bushel.

kinsman-redeemers (Hebrew go’el): The law required the go’el, the closest male relative, to assist a family member facing financial difficulties (see “The Family Redeemer” Theme Note; see also study note on Leviticus 25:25).

The author calls Ruth "Ruth the Moabite" five times (Ruth 1:22; 2:2, 21; 4:5, 10). This reminds us that Ruth was not an Israelite.