Ruth 2:7 Meaning: Ruth's Respectful Request to Glean

Ruth 2:7 records the servant's report that Ruth respectfully asked to glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves, and that she had remained there from morning until that time, with only a little time spent in the house.

“And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.” (KJV)

Ruth 2:7 Meaning

The verse begins with the phrase, “And she said, I pray you,” indicating that the servant is respectfully reporting Ruth's request. This phrase introduces her desire to glean, which is further clarified by her request to “let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.” Here, Ruth expresses her intention to glean and gather among the sheaves without further explanation of the harvest procedures.

The servant continues by stating, “so she came,” which indicates that Ruth took action and went to the field where the reapers were working after making her request.

Furthermore, the servant reports that Ruth “hath continued even from the morning until now,” highlighting her presence in the field from early in the day until the time of the report.

Lastly, the phrase “that she tarried a little in the house” notes that Ruth spent only a short amount of time in the house, although the text does not specify what this house is or its purpose.

Context of Ruth 2:7

In the surrounding context, Boaz had just asked his servant about Ruth's identity, as seen in Ruth 2:5. The servant identifies her as the Moabitish damsel who returned with Naomi from Moab, providing essential background before moving into the report in verse 7.

Following this report, Boaz speaks to Ruth in Ruth 2:8-9, instructing her to remain in his field and providing her with protection and access to water. However, these instructions are not part of the meaning of verse 7 but rather a subsequent action taken by Boaz after hearing the servant's report about Ruth's request and presence.

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