Home / Commentary / Ruth / Ruth Chapter 2 / Ruth 2:8-13

Ruth 2:8-13 meaning

Boaz recognizes Ruth’s hardwork and care for her mother-in-law and tells her that he has instructed his servants not to touch her and that she should glean in his field and help herself to water.

After being informed that this was the daughter of Naomi, Boaz makes the connection. He obviously has heard the news as well. He said to Ruth, Listen carefully, my daughter. Boaz understands this is a relative, and addresses her with fondness, calling her daughter. Boaz invites her to stay in his field, where he offers her special protection and provision, saying I have commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw.

Ruth reacts with great gratitude. She fell on her face, bowing to the ground. It seems Ruth wants to make sure Boaz knows the full story, since she includes the information that she is a foreigner. Boaz assures Ruth he is not deterred by her nationality. He has heard of her service to his relative Naomi. He tells Ruth All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me.

Boaz then expresses a prayer, to which he has already become a partial answer, saying may the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge. Again Ruth expresses gratitude.

Biblical Text

⁸Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids. ⁹Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw.” ¹⁰Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” ¹¹Boaz replied to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. ¹²May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” ¹³Then she said, “I have found favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and indeed have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.”

Check out our other commentaries:

Habakkuk 3:16-19 meaning
Habakkuk was filled with fear when he hears the report about how the LORD will use Babylon to discipline Judah. Despite his fear, he is......
Matthew 10:34-37 meaning
Jesus warns of the deep division that His kingdom message sows among men. It divides even families. He tells His disciples that anyone who does......
Genesis 5:1-11 meaning
The beginning of the generations starts with Adam and his son Seth. Adam was 930 years old when he died. Seth was the father of......
Genesis 18:31-33 meaning
Abraham continued to ask, what if there are 20 or 10 righteous people? God replied He would not destroy the city if 10 righteous are......
Exodus 34:18-26 meaning
Having stated the types of worship the Israelites were to stay away from, the LORD outlines the requirements of proper worship. They are a restatement......

Additional Resources

Book Theme

The book of Ruth follows the story of a Moabite woman named Ruth who marries an Israelite man who later dies, leaving her a widow with few resources. While the easy route would have been to return to her family and find a Moabite husband, Ruth commits to remain with her Israelite mother-in-law and joins her on the journey back to her home in Israel. Ruth is a model of courage and character, as she continually works to provide for herself and her mother-in-law. Boaz, a relation of Ruth’s late husband, enters the scene and provides for Ruth, taking note of her character and care for her mother-in-law.

Ruth is an incredible example to us as someone who forsook an old life for a new one, lived courageously and faithfully, and was greatly rewarded in the end.

The book of Ruth also presents the idea of a kinsman-redeemer, a close relative or relationship that is able to provide immense, immeasurable benefits to another person. Boaz serves as a kinsman-redeemer, and also sacrifices for the benefit of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. Boaz and Ruth are both rewarded for their faithful service by being the great grandparents of King David. That places them in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ, who serves as a kinsman-redeemer for all of mankind.

Ruth is ultimately an example of a godly wife (Ephesians 5:22-24) and also of the relationship all believers should have with Christ. She was virtuous and faithful while serving others. She was subject to Boaz and submitted herself to his leadership. Boaz also made a great sacrifice which provided immeasurable benefit to Ruth. This kind of marriage is a picture of our relationship with Christ. Christ is our leader and ultimately our redeemer and savior, who sacrificed himself for us. Our faithfulness to him is for our good. Just as Ruth’s sacrifices and faithfulness to Boaz resulted in him acting as her kinsman-redeemer and providing her great reward, so our faithfulness and submission to Christ will result in our reward (Revelation 3:21).

Chapter Context

Naomi and Ruth return from Moab to Bethlehem. Since these two widows have no men to provide for them, Ruth takes the initiative to work by day in the field that she later discovers belongs to a relative of Naomi named Boaz. God uses Boaz to bless and provide for the daily needs of these two widows. This chapter demonstrates how the Lord can bring hope out of any bleak situation. No circumstance is too difficult for God.

Maps and Charts

Videos

View Ruth on the Timeline