Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi. New Living Translation And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. English Standard Version And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. Berean Standard Bible The foreman answered, “She is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. King James Bible And 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: New King James Version So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. New American Standard Bible And the servant in charge of the reapers replied, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. NASB 1995 The servant in charge of the reapers replied, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. NASB 1977 And the servant in charge of the reapers answered and said, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. Legacy Standard Bible The young man in charge of the reapers replied, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the fields of Moab. Amplified Bible The servant in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. Christian Standard Bible The servant answered, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the territory of Moab. Holman Christian Standard Bible The servant answered, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. American Standard Version And 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: Contemporary English Version The man answered, "She is the one who came back from Moab with Naomi. English Revised Version And 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: GOD'S WORD® Translation The young man answered, "She's a young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. Good News Translation The man answered, "She is the foreigner who came back from Moab with Naomi. International Standard Version The foreman of the harvesters answered, "She is the Moabite who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. NET Bible The servant in charge of the harvesters replied, "She's the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the region of Moab. New Heart English Bible The servant who was set over the reapers answered, "It is the Moabite woman who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab. Webster's Bible Translation And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi from the country of Moab: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe foreman answered, “She is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. World English Bible The servant who was set over the reapers answered, “It is the Moabite lady who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the young man who is set over the reapers answers and says, “A young woman—Moabitess—she [is], who came back with Naomi from the fields of Moab, Young's Literal Translation And the young man who is set over the reapers answereth and saith, 'A young woman -- Moabitess -- she is, who came back with Naomi from the fields of Moab, Smith's Literal Translation And the young man set over the reapers will answer and say, The Moabitess maiden; she turned back with Naomi from the field of Moab. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he answered him: This is the Moabitess who came with Noemi, from the land of Moab, Catholic Public Domain Version He answered him, “This is the Moabite woman, who came with Naomi, from the land of the Moabites, New American Bible The young man overseeing the harvesters answered, “She is the young Moabite who came back with Naomi from the plateau of Moab. New Revised Standard Version The servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the Moabite who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the young man answered and said to him, It is the Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the land of Moab; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the boy answered and said to him: “The woman is a Moabitess. She has come with Namei from the land of Moab OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said: 'It is a Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the field of Moab; Brenton Septuagint Translation And his servant who was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel who returned with Noemin out of the land of Moab. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Boaz Meets Ruth…5And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?” 6The foreman answered, “She is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. 7She has said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the harvesters.’ So she came out and has continued from morning until now, except that she rested a short time in the shelter.”… Cross References Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned from the land of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess. And they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Ruth 4:13-17 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. / Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous in Israel. / He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” ... Deuteronomy 24:19 If you are harvesting in your field and forget a sheaf there, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Leviticus 19:9-10 When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. / You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 23:22 When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap all the way to the edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the foreign resident. I am the LORD your God.’” Matthew 1:5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, Genesis 24:2-4 So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh, / and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, / but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.” Genesis 29:15-20 Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.” / Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel. / Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. ... Exodus 2:21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. 1 Samuel 17:58 “Whose son are you, young man?” asked Saul. “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem,” David replied. 1 Samuel 25:10 But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. 2 Samuel 9:6 And when Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied. 2 Kings 4:1-2 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” / “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” Matthew 13:55-56 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? / Aren’t all His sisters with us as well? Where then did this man get all these things?” Luke 1:26-27 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, / to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. Treasury of Scripture And 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: Genesis 15:2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? Genesis 24:2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: Genesis 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. It is the Ruth 1:16,19,22 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or 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: … Jump to Previous Authority Charge Country Cutters Damsel Lady Maiden Moab Moabite Moabitess Moabitish Naomi Na'omi Reapers Servant YoungJump to Next Authority Charge Country Cutters Damsel Lady Maiden Moab Moabite Moabitess Moabitish Naomi Na'omi Reapers Servant YoungRuth 2 1. Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz4. Boaz takes notice of her 8. and shows her great favor 18. That which she got, she carries to Naomi The foreman answered In the context of ancient Israel, a foreman was responsible for overseeing the workers during the harvest. This role required leadership and accountability, ensuring that the work was done efficiently and fairly. The foreman's response indicates his awareness of the people working in the field, reflecting the close-knit nature of agrarian communities in biblical times. She is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab Persons / Places / Events 1. RuthA Moabitess, widow, and daughter-in-law of Naomi. She is known for her loyalty and faithfulness, having left her homeland to support Naomi. 2. Naomi An Israelite woman who returned to Bethlehem from Moab after the death of her husband and sons. She is Ruth's mother-in-law. 3. Foreman The overseer of Boaz's fields, responsible for managing the harvesters and reporting to Boaz. 4. Boaz A wealthy landowner in Bethlehem, a relative of Naomi's deceased husband, and a man of noble character. 5. Moab A region east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. Ruth's origin from Moab highlights her outsider status in Israel. Teaching Points Faithfulness and LoyaltyRuth's identity as a Moabitess who chose to stay with Naomi highlights the importance of loyalty and faithfulness in relationships. Her commitment serves as a model for believers in their relationships with family and community. God's Sovereignty and Provision Despite Ruth's status as a foreigner and widow, God orchestrates events to provide for her and Naomi. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even in difficult circumstances. Welcoming the Outsider The inclusion of Ruth, a Moabitess, into the community of Israel challenges believers to welcome and embrace those who are different or marginalized, reflecting God's inclusive love. Character and Reputation The foreman's recognition of Ruth as "the Moabitess who returned with Naomi" underscores the importance of character and reputation. Our actions and decisions can speak volumes about our faith and integrity. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ruth 2:6?2. How does Ruth 2:6 demonstrate God's providence in Ruth's life journey? 3. What qualities of Ruth are highlighted in Ruth 2:6 for believers to emulate? 4. How does Ruth 2:6 connect to the theme of loyalty in Scripture? 5. In what ways can we show kindness to strangers, as seen in Ruth 2:6? 6. How does Ruth's story in Ruth 2:6 inspire trust in God's plan today? 7. What does Ruth 2:6 reveal about the social structure in ancient Israelite society? 8. How does Ruth 2:6 illustrate God's providence in the lives of individuals? 9. What role does Ruth 2:6 play in the overall narrative of the Book of Ruth? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ruth 2? 11. What is the story and significance of the Book of Ruth? 12. How does the Bible describe famine's impact? 13. Ruth 2:2–3 – Is it historically plausible that a foreign widow could freely glean in a stranger’s field with no social or legal barriers? 14. How does the timeline in Ruth 1:1 align with or contradict other biblical accounts of the era of the judges? What Does Ruth 2:6 Mean The foreman answered• Boaz greets his reapers with “The LORD be with you” (Ruth 2:4), then immediately turns to the foreman for an account—showing Boaz’s active, godly oversight, similar to how Joseph managed Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39:4). • The quick, respectful response of the foreman reflects good stewardship (Luke 12:42) and sets the stage for Ruth’s introduction. The narrative reminds us that God often works through ordinary workplace conversations to advance His redemptive plan (Colossians 3:23-24). She is the Moabitess • The foreman stresses Ruth’s ethnic identity twice (see also Ruth 2:2), highlighting that she is an outsider under Israel’s gleaning laws (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19). • Moabites were historically excluded “to the tenth generation” (Deuteronomy 23:3), yet here stands Ruth, about to become part of Messiah’s lineage (Matthew 1:5). God’s grace breaks barriers (Ephesians 2:12-13). • By calling her “the Moabitess,” the text underscores the magnitude of divine inclusion: an unlikely foreigner is welcomed into covenant blessings (Galatians 3:28-29). Who returned with Naomi • The phrase links Ruth to Naomi’s bitter homecoming (Ruth 1:19-21), underlining Ruth’s steadfast loyalty (Ruth 1:16-17). • Scripture celebrates faithful companionship: “A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17); Ruth embodies this proverb in action. • Ruth’s choice to care for a widowed relative mirrors God’s heart for the vulnerable (James 1:27). The foreman’s report reminds Boaz—and us—that sacrificial love never goes unnoticed by the Lord (Hebrews 6:10). From the land of Moab • Mentioning Moab again stresses the distance Ruth traveled—geographically, culturally, and spiritually. She left a land tied to idolatry and past seductions of Israel (Numbers 25:1-3), choosing to seek refuge under the wings of Israel’s God (Ruth 2:12). • Her exodus parallels Abram’s call to leave his country (Genesis 12:1) and foreshadows believers’ call to come out from the world (2 Corinthians 6:17). • By foregrounding her origins, the verse magnifies the Lord’s sovereign hand: He brings outsiders “from far off” into His family (Isaiah 56:6-8). summary A simple workplace inquiry becomes a theological spotlight: an industrious field manager identifies “the Moabitess” whose loyal return with Naomi testifies to courageous faith. Every phrase underscores God’s ability to weave foreign, marginalized lives into His covenant story. Ruth’s origin, devotion, and humble presence in Boaz’s field prepare us to see the breadth of divine grace and the certainty that the Lord rewards those who take refuge in Him. (6, 7) The steward gives a detailed account of Ruth. She is "the (rather "a") Moabitish damsel," she is a foreigner [as such she had a special claim to the gleaning, Leviticus 19:9-10]. She is the daughter-in-law of Naomi; and he adds that her behaviour has been praiseworthy, for she asked leave before beginning to glean, and she has worked hard all day, save for a short interval of rest. It would seem that Boaz's visit to the field fell at the time when Ruth was thus resting: "This is her tarrying for a little in the house"; apparently, that is, some rude shelter from the heat set up in the field, like the lodge of Isaiah 1:8.Verse 6. - And the young man who was set over the reapers replied and said, She is a Moabitish young woman who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab. The young man had already received, no doubt from her own lips, particulars regarding the attractive stranger. Instead of the free definitive rendering of Luther and King James's English version, "the Moabitish damsel," it is better, with Michaelis, Wright, Raabe, to adhere to the original indefiniteness, "a Moabitish maiden." Note the Zeugmatic use of the word returned as applied here, as well as in Ruth 1:22, not only to Naomi, but also to Ruth. It is thus used on the same Zeugmatic principle as the word die in Genesis 47:19: "Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land?"Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The foremanהַנַּ֛עַר (han·na·‘ar) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer answered, וַיַּ֗עַן (way·ya·‘an) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond “She [is] הִ֔יא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are the Moabitess מֽוֹאֲבִיָּה֙ (mō·w·’ă·ḇî·yāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4125: Moabite -- descendant of Moab who returned הַשָּׁ֥בָה (haš·šā·ḇāh) Article | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again with עִֽם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with Naomi נָעֳמִ֖י (nā·‘o·mî) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5281: Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth from the land מִשְּׂדֵ֥ה (miś·śə·ḏêh) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7704: Field, land of Moab. מוֹאָֽב׃ (mō·w·’āḇ) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled Links Ruth 2:6 NIVRuth 2:6 NLT Ruth 2:6 ESV Ruth 2:6 NASB Ruth 2:6 KJV Ruth 2:6 BibleApps.com Ruth 2:6 Biblia Paralela Ruth 2:6 Chinese Bible Ruth 2:6 French Bible Ruth 2:6 Catholic Bible OT History: Ruth 2:6 The servant who was set over (Ru Rut.) |
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