Ruth 2:6
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.

Majority Standard Bible
The foreman answered, ?She is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land 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:

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 Version
And 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 Bible
And 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 Bible
And 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 1917
And 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 Young
Jump to Next
Authority Charge Country Cutters Damsel Lady Maiden Moab Moabite Moabitess Moabitish Naomi Na'omi Reapers Servant Young
Ruth 2
1. Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz
4. 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
The term "Moabitess" identifies Ruth's ethnic background, highlighting her foreign status in Israel. Moab was a neighboring nation often at odds with Israel, and Moabites were generally viewed with suspicion or hostility. This detail underscores the remarkable nature of Ruth's acceptance and integration into the Israelite community, which foreshadows the inclusive nature of God's kingdom.

who returned with Naomi
Naomi's return to Bethlehem with Ruth marks a significant turning point in the narrative. Naomi, having left Bethlehem due to famine, returns after the death of her husband and sons, accompanied by her loyal daughter-in-law. This return signifies a movement from despair to hope, setting the stage for God's providential care and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

from the land of Moab
Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, was known for its rugged terrain and historical enmity with Israel. The mention of Moab emphasizes the cultural and religious barriers Ruth overcame to join Naomi. This journey from Moab to Bethlehem symbolizes a transition from paganism to faith in the God of Israel, prefiguring the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant through Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ruth
A 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 Loyalty
Ruth'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.(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 foreman
הַנַּ֛עַר (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


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OT History: Ruth 2:6 The servant who was set over (Ru Rut.)
Ruth 2:5
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