CHAPTER 2 _THE GLEANER IN THE HARVEST FIELD_ CONTENTS._—Ruth, in her poverty, is led by seeming chance to glean in the field-portion of Boaz, Naomi’s kinsman, and a great man in Bethlehem. Boaz, coming dawn from Bethlehem, is attracted by her, and makes inquiries concerning her. He afterwards show... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES.—AND NAOMI HAD A KINSMAN. According to Rabinical tradition, which is not well established however, Boaz was a nephew of Elimelech (_Keil_). Lyra saith Elimelech and Salmon—other Hebrews say Elimelech and Naason—were brethren. Some more probably hold that Elimelech was t... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES.— Ruth 2:4. AND BEHOLD BOAZ CAME. Not only to see the progress of the work, but also to take part in the entertainment provided for his labourers (_Wright_). THE LORD [_Jehovah_] BE WITH YOU. The first time this emphatic expression occurs in Scripture (_Scott_). Cf. Ju... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES.— Ruth 2:8. THEN SAID BOAZ [and Boaz said], HEAREST THOU NOT? Dost thou hear (_i.e._, thou hearest, dost thou not? interrogatio, blande affirmat) (_Keil_). Lit. Hast thou not heard? (in the perfect,) the effect of the use of this tense being to mark the permission to gl... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES.—LET ME FIND FAVOUR. I find favour (_Le Clerc, Bertheau_). This trans. not in accordance with the modesty of humility, which Ruth manifests in the following words (_Keil_). Lange and Keil take it as optative, and translate, “May I find favour.” The sense rather is as in... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES.— Ruth 2:15. AND WHEN SHE WAS RISEN UP. Evident from this and the previous phrase that Boaz said, “Come thou hither,” as he himself sat among his reapers at the mid-day meal. So that a pause may be understood between the first conversation, ending with Ruth 2:13, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES.—Her mother-IN-LAW SAW. With astonishment at the quantity evidently. AND SHE BROUGHT FORTH. And she showed (_Vulgate, Syr.-Arab., Wright, Lange_). Brought forth out of a wallet (_Targum_). Drew out of her pocket, as the Chaldee has correctly supplied (_Keil_). THAT SHE... [ Continue Reading ]