A KINSMAN - More literally “an acquaintance”; here (and in the feminine, Ruth 3:2) denoting the person with whom one is intimately acquainted, one’s near relation. The next kinsman of Ruth 2:20, etc. גאל _gā'al_, is a wholly different word. BOAZ - Commonly taken to mean, “strength is in him” (comp... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUSE - The shed or booth where they took their meals, and were sheltered from the sun in the heat of the day (see Genesis 33:17).... [ Continue Reading ]
The grammatical forms of the verbs “go hence” and “abide,” are unique and Chaldaic. They are supposed to indicate the dialect used at Bethlehem in the time of Boaz.... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THEM - i. e. “after my maidens.” The fields not being divided by hedges, but only by unplowed ridges, it would be easy for her to pass off Boaz’s land without being aware of it, and so find herself among strangers where Boaz could not protect her.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE FELL ON HER FACE - With Oriental reverence (compare Genesis 33:3, and the marginal reference).... [ Continue Reading ]
The similarity of expression here to Genesis 15:1, and in Ruth 2:11 to Genesis 12:1, makes it probable that Boaz had the case of Abraham in his mind. THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL - “Jehovah the God of Israel.” Compare Joshua 14:14, where, as here, the force of the addition, the God of Israel, lies in the... [ Continue Reading ]
To dip the morsel, or sop, whether it were bread or meat, in the dish containing the vinegar (compare Matthew 26:23; Mark 14:20 : Exodus 25:29; Numbers 7:13) was, and still is, the common custom in the East. PARCHED OR “ROASTED” CORN - Grain was the common food of the country then (compare 1 Samuel... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BEAT OUT THAT SHE HAD GLEANED - Namely, with a stick, as the word implies (compare Deuteronomy 24:20; Isaiah 27:12). This method is still commonly practiced. Ruth gleaned enough to support herself and her mother-in-law for five days Exodus 16:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED BE HE OF THE LORD ... - We may gather from Naomi’s allusion to the dead that both her husband and son had been faithful servants of Jehovah, the God of Israel. His kindness to the dead consisted in raising up (as Naomi hoped) an heir to perpetuate the name; and, in general, in His care for t... [ Continue Reading ]