Ruth 2:16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not. - Free Bible Online

Ruth 2:16 "And also you shall purposely pull out for her [some grain] from the bundles and leave [it] that she may glean, and do not rebuke her."

Questions Related to this Verse

Select a Chapter

Ruth 1 | Ruth 2 | Ruth 3 | Ruth 4 |

Ruth 2 Images and Notes

Brief Summary: There is scarcely any chapter in all the sacred history that stoops so low as this to take cognizance of so mean a person as Ruth, a poor Moabitish widow, so mean an action as her gleaning corn in a neighbour's field, and the minute circumstances thereof. But all this was in order to her being grafted into the line of Christ and taken in among his ancestors, that she might be a figure of the espousals of the Gentile church to Christ, Isa. 54:1 . This makes the story remarkable; and many of the passages of it are instructive and very improvable. Here we have, I. Ruth's humility and industry in gleaming corn, Providence directing her to Boaz's field (v. 1-3). II. The great favour which Boaz showed to her in many instances (v. 4-16). III. The return of Ruth to her mother-in-law (v. 18-23).

Outline
Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz. (1-3)
The kindness of Boaz to Ruth. (4-16)
Ruth returns to her mother-in-law. (17-23)

Painting of the Jordan by Chernetsov

Joshua 6:4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

ARCHAEOLOGY

Women Gleaning at Harvest

This colorful painting from the tomb of Ramose at the site of ancient Thebes reveals women gleaning at harvest time. In biblical times when barley fields or wheatfields were ready for harvest the reapers were hired to cut down the large stocks of grain and make bundles. According to the customs of the Israelites if a loose stock should fall to the ground they were to be left alone for the gleaners. The gleaning was performed by the poorest and most helpless of the land, the widows who were going to die of starvation. During harvest time in the ancient world you would clearly see a poor woman like Ruth walking through the fields and gleaning behind men picking up any loose stalks that might've fallen. Ruth was a widow and she was gleaning any field when she met Boaz the owner of the field.

Ruth 2:2 - And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after [him] in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

Painted sketch of ancient writing instruments

Important Topics for Bible Study
 

Quick Reference Map

Map of the Possible Route of the Exodus (Click to Enlarge)

Ancient Customs
 

Ancient People
 

Geography
the wilderness
the mount of God
 

Quick Reference Maps

The Exodus of the Hebrews

Mount Horeb

The Red Sea

Map of the Red Sea and Egypt (Click to Enlarge)

The Old Testament

Judges Resources

The Judges