CHAPTER II _Ruth goes to glean in the field of Boaz_, 1-3. _Boaz finds her, and inquires who she is_, 4-7. _He speaks kindly to her, gives her permission to follow his_ _reapers, and orders them to use her well_, 8-16. _She returns in the evening to Naomi, and tells her of her fare;_ _from who... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:2. _GLEAN EARS OF CORN_] The word _glean_ comes from the French _glaner_, to gather ears or grains of corn. This was formerly a general custom in England and Ireland; the poor went into the fields and collected the straggling ears of corn after the reapers; and it was long supposed tha... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:3. _AND HER HAP WAS_] So she was _accidentally_ or _providentially_ led to that part of the cultivated country which belonged to Boaz.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:4. _BOAZ CAME FROM BETH-LEHEM_] This salutation between Boaz and his reapers is worthy of particular regard; he said, יהוה עמחם _Yehovah immachem_, "Jehovah be with you!" They said, יברכך יהוה _yebarechecha Yehovah_, "May Jehovah bless thee!" Can a pious mind read these godly salutation... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:5. _HIS SERVANT THAT WAS SET OVER THE REAPERS_] This was a kind of steward or hind who had the under management of the estate. Some think that an _officer_ of this kind is intended in the description given by Homer of the labours of a harvest field, as represented by Vulcan on one compa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:7. _THAT SHE TARRIED A LITTLE IN THE HOUSE._] It seems as if the reapers were now resting in their _tent_, and that Ruth had just gone in with them to take her rest also.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:8. _ABIDE HERE FAST BY MY MAIDENS_] These were probably employed in making _bands_, and laying on them enough to form a _sheaf_, which the binders would tie and form into _shocks_ or _thraves_. When the maidens had gathered up the scattered handfuls thrown down by the reapers, Ruth pick... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:9. _THE YOUNG MEN THAT THEY SHALL NOT TOUCH THEE_] This was peculiarly necessary, as she was a stranger and unprotected.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:10. _THEN SHE FELL ON HER FACE_] Prostrated herself, as was the custom in the East when inferiors approached those of superior rank. The _Targum_ adds to the conversation between Ruth and Boaz: "How, says she, have I obtained grace in thy sight, that thou shouldest acknowledge me who am... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:12. _THE LORD RECOMPENSE THY WORK_] The dutiful respect which thou hast paid to thy husband, and thy tender and affectionate attachment to thy aged mother-in-law. _AND A FULL REWARD BE GIVEN THEE_] This is spoken with great modesty and piety: The kindness I show thee is little in compa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:13. _NOT LIKE UNTO ONE OF THINE HAND-MAIDENS._] I am as unworthy of thy regards as any of thine own maidservants, and yet thou showest me distinguished kindness.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:14. _DIP THY MORSEL IN THE VINEGAR._] The חמץ _chomets_, which we here translate _vinegar_, seems to have been some refreshing kind of _acid sauce_ used by the reapers to dip their bread in, which both cooled and refreshed them. _Vinegar, rob of_ _fruits_, c., are used for this purpose... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:15. _LET HER GLEAN EVEN AMONG THE SHEAVES_] This was a privilege; for no person should glean till the sheaves were all bound, and the shocks set up.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:17. _AN EPHAH OF BARLEY._] Not less than _seven gallons and a_ _half_; a good day's work. On Hebrew measures of capacity, Exodus 16:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:18. _AND GAVE TO HER THAT SHE HAD RESERVED_] As Ruth had received a distinct portion at dinner-time, of which she had more than she could eat, Ruth 2:14; it appears she brought the rest home to her mother-in-law, as is here related.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:20. _TO THE LIVING AND TO THE DEAD._] Naomi and Ruth were the _living_; and they were also the representatives of _Elimelech_ and _Mahlon_, who were dead. Naomi was of the _family_; and Ruth, though not of the family, was a _representative_ of one of its deceased branches, being the _wi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:21. _KEEP FAST BY MY YOUNG MEN_] The word הנערים _hannearim_ should be translated _servants_, both the _male_ and _female_ being included in it; the latter especially, as we see in Ruth 2:22-8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ruth 2:23. _AND OF WHEAT HARVEST_] That is, she was to continue gleaning in the farm of Boaz to the end of the _barley_ harvest; and then, when the _wheat_ harvest began, to continue to its conclusion in the same way. In the interim, as well as each night, she lodged with her mother-in-law.... [ Continue Reading ]