Antiguo Testamento

Ruth — Capítulo 2

Ruth goes to glean in the field of Boaz, Rut 2:1-3. Boaz finds her, and inquires who she is, Rut 2:4-7. He speaks kindly to her, gives her permission to follow his reapers, and orders them to use her well, Rut 2:8-16.…

Versión

Texto — Reina-Valera 1960

1Tenía Noemí un pariente de su marido, hombre rico de la familia de Elimelec, el cual se llamaba Booz.

2Y Rut la moabita dijo a Noemí: Te ruego que me dejes ir al campo, y recogeré espigas en pos de aquel a cuyos ojos hallare gracia. Y ella le respondió: Ve, hija mía.

3Fue, pues, y llegando, espigó en el campo en pos de los segadores; y aconteció que aquella parte del campo era de Booz, el cual era de la familia de Elimelec.

4Y he aquí que Booz vino de Belén, y dijo a los segadores: Jehová sea con vosotros. Y ellos respondieron: Jehová te bendiga.

5Y Booz dijo a su criado el mayordomo de los segadores: ¿De quién es esta joven?

6Y el criado, mayordomo de los segadores, respondió y dijo: Es la joven moabita que volvió con Noemí de los campos de Moab;

7y ha dicho: Te ruego que me dejes recoger y juntar tras los segadores entre las gavillas. Entró, pues, y está desde por la mañana hasta ahora, sin descansar ni aun por un momento.

8Entonces Booz dijo a Rut: Oye, hija mía, no vayas a espigar a otro campo, ni pases de aquí; y aquí estarás junto a mis criadas.

9Mira bien el campo que sieguen, y síguelas; porque yo he mandado a los criados que no te molesten. Y cuando tengas sed, ve a las vasijas, y bebe del agua que sacan los criados.

10Ella entonces bajando su rostro se inclinó a tierra, y le dijo: ¿Por qué he hallado gracia en tus ojos para que me reconozcas, siendo yo extranjera?

11Y respondiendo Booz, le dijo: He sabido todo lo que has hecho con tu suegra después de la muerte de tu marido, y que dejando a tu padre y a tu madre y la tierra donde naciste, has venido a un pueblo que no conociste antes.

12Jehová recompense tu obra, y tu remuneración sea cumplida de parte de Jehová Dios de Israel, bajo cuyas alas has venido a refugiarte.

13Y ella dijo: Señor mío, halle yo gracia delante de tus ojos; porque me has consolado, y porque has hablado al corazón de tu sierva, aunque no soy ni como una de tus criadas.

14Y Booz le dijo a la hora de comer: Ven aquí, y come del pan, y moja tu bocado en el vinagre. Y ella se sentó junto a los segadores, y él le dio del potaje, y comió hasta que se sació, y le sobró.

15Luego se levantó para espigar. Y Booz mandó a sus criados, diciendo: Que recoja también espigas entre las gavillas, y no la avergoncéis;

16y dejaréis también caer para ella algo de los manojos, y lo dejaréis para que lo recoja, y no la reprendáis.

17Espigó, pues, en el campo hasta la noche, y desgranó lo que había recogido, y fue como un efa de cebada.

18Y lo tomó, y se fue a la ciudad; y su suegra vio lo que había recogido. Sacó también luego lo que le había sobrado después de haber quedado saciada, y se lo dio.

19Y le dijo su suegra: ¿Dónde has espigado hoy? ¿y dónde has trabajado? Bendito sea el que te ha reconocido. Y contó ella a su suegra con quién había trabajado, y dijo: El nombre del varón con quien hoy he trabajado es Booz.

20Y dijo Noemí a su nuera: Sea él bendito de Jehová, pues que no ha rehusado a los vivos la benevolencia que tuvo para con los que han muerto. Después le dijo Noemí: Nuestro pariente es aquel varón, y uno de los que pueden redimirnos.

21Y Rut la moabita dijo: Además de esto me ha dicho: Júntate con mis criadas, hasta que hayan acabado toda mi siega.

22Y Noemí respondió a Rut su nuera: Mejor es, hija mía, que salgas con sus criadas, y que no te encuentren en otro campo.

23Estuvo, pues, junto con las criadas de Booz espigando, hasta que se acabó la siega de la cebada y la del trigo; y vivía con su suegra.

ADAM CLARKE BIBLE COMMENTARY

Versículo 1

I. A mighty man of wealth - We have already seen that some suppose Boaz to have been one of the judg…

A mighty man of wealth - We have already seen that some suppose Boaz to have been one of the judges of Israel; he was no doubt a man of considerable property.

Versículo 2

II. Glean ears of corn - The word glean comes from the French glaner, to gather ears or grains of cor…

Glean ears of corn - The word glean comes from the French glaner, to gather ears or grains of corn. This was formerly a general custom in England and Ireland; the poor went into the fields and collected the straggling ears of corn after the reapers; and it was long supposed that this was their right, and that the law recognized it. But although it has been an old custom, I find that it is now settled, by a solemn judgment in the court of common pleas, that a right to glean in the harvest field cannot be claimed by any person at common law; see Law Dictionary, article gleaning. Any person may permit or prevent it in his own grounds. By the Irish acts, 25 Hen. VIII., c. 1, and 28 Hen. VIII., c. 24, gleaning and leasing are so restricted as to be in fact prohibited in that part of the United Kingdom. See the note on Lev 19:9. After him in whose sight I shall find grace - She did not mean Boaz; but she purposed to go out where they were now reaping, and glean after any person who might permit her, or use her in a friendly manner. The words seem to intimate that, notwithstanding the law of Moses, the gleaners might be prevented by the owner of the field.

Versículo 3

III. And her hap was - So she was accidentally or providentially led to that part of the cultivated co…

And her hap was - So she was accidentally or providentially led to that part of the cultivated country which belonged to Boaz.

Versículo 4

IV. Boaz came from Beth-lehem - This salutation between Boaz and his reapers is worthy of particular …

Boaz came from Beth-lehem - This salutation between Boaz and his reapers is worthy of particular regard; he said, יהוה עמחם Yehovah immachem, "Jehovah be with you!" They said, יברכך יהוה yebarechecha Yehovah, "May Jehovah bless thee!" Can a pious mind read these godly salutations without wishing for a return of those simple primitive times? The words may be thus paraphrased: "May God be with you, to preserve you from accidents, and strengthen you to accomplish your work!" "May God bless Thee with the increase of the field, and grace to use his bounty to the glory of the Giver!"

Versículo 5

V. His servant that was set over the reapers - This was a kind of steward or hind who had the under …

His servant that was set over the reapers - This was a kind of steward or hind who had the under management of the estate. Some think that an officer of this kind is intended in the description given by Homer of the labors of a harvest field, as represented by Vulcan on one compartment of the shield which he made for Achilles: - Εν δ' ετιθει τεμενος βαθυληΐον· ενθα δ εριθοι Ἡμων, οξειας δρεπανας εν χερσιν εχοντες· Δραγματα δ' αλλα μετ' ογμον επμον επητριμα πιπτον εραζε, Αλλα δ' αμαλλοδετηρες εν ελλεδανοισι δεοντο. Τρεις δ' αρ' αμαλλοδετηρες εφεστασαν· αυταρ οπισθε Παιδες δραγμευοντες, εν αγκαλιδεσσι φεροντες, Ασπερχες παρεχον· βασιλευς δ' εν τοισι σιωπῃ Σκηπτρον εχων ἑστηκει επ' ογμου γηθοσυνος κηρ. Κηρυκες δ' απανευθεν ὑπο δρυΐ δαιτα πενοντο· Βουν δ' ἱερευσαντες μεγαν, αμφεπον· αἱ δε γυναικες Δειπνον εριθοισιν, λευκ' αλφιτα πολλα παλυνον. Iliad xviii., v. 550. There too he form'd the likeness of a field Crowded with corn, in which the reapers toil'd, Each with a sharp-tooth'd sickle in his hand. Along the furrow here, the harvest fell In frequent handfuls; there, they bound the sheaves. Three binders of the sheaves their sultry task All plied industrious, and behind them boys Attended, filling with the corn their arms, And offering still their bundles to be bound. Amid them, staff in hand, the master stood, Enjoying, mute the order of the field: While, shaded by an oak, apart his train Prepared the banquet - a well thriven ox New slain, and the attendant maidens mix'd Large supper for the hinds, of whitest flour. Cowper. This scene is well described; and the person who acts as overseer is here called βασιλευς, king, and his staff is called σκηπτρον, a scepter; and he stands in mute dignity, merely to see that the work is well done, and that each person performs his task; and there appear to me to be gleaners in the description, viz., the boys who gather the handfuls after the three binders. See the Greek.

Versículo 7

VI. That she tarried a little in the house - It seems as if the reapers were now resting in their ten…

That she tarried a little in the house - It seems as if the reapers were now resting in their tent, and that Ruth had just gone in with them to take her rest also.

Versículo 8

VII. Abide here fast by my maidens - These were probably employed in making bands, and laying on them …

Abide here fast by my maidens - These were probably employed in making bands, and laying on them enough to form a sheaf, which the binders would tie and form into shocks or thraves. When the maidens had gathered up the scattered handfuls thrown down by the reapers, Ruth picked up any straggling heads or ears which they had left.

Versículo 9

VIII. The young men that they shall not touch thee - This was peculiarly necessary, as she was a strang…

The young men that they shall not touch thee - This was peculiarly necessary, as she was a stranger and unprotected.

Versículo 10

IX. Then she fell on her face - Prostrated herself, as was the custom in the East when inferiors appr…

Then she fell on her face - Prostrated herself, as was the custom in the East when inferiors approached those of superior rank. The Targum adds to the conversation between Ruth and Boaz: "How, says she, have I obtained grace in thy sight, that thou shouldest acknowledge me who am a stranger and one of the daughters of Moab, of whom it is said, The unclean shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord? And Boaz, answered, It has been certainly told me by the word of the wise, that what the Lord hath decreed, he hath not decreed concerning the women but the men. And it hath been surely said to me by prophecy, that kings and prophets shall proceed from thee because of the good which thou hast done," etc.

Versículo 12

X. The Lord recompense thy work - The dutiful respect which thou hast paid to thy husband, and thy t…

The Lord recompense thy work - The dutiful respect which thou hast paid to thy husband, and thy tender and affectionate attachment to thy aged mother-in-law. And a full reward be given thee - This is spoken with great modesty and piety: The kindness I show thee is little in comparison of thy desert; God alone can give thee a full reward for thy kindness to thy husband and mother-in-law, and he will do it, because thou art come to trust under his wings - to become a proselyte to his religion. The metaphor is taken from the young of fowls, who, seeing a bird of prey, run to their mother to be covered by her wings from danger, and also to take shelter from storms, tempests, cold, etc. It is evident from this that Ruth had already attached herself to the Jewish religion.

Versículo 13

XI. Not like unto one of thine hand-maidens - I am as unworthy of thy regards as any of thine own mai…

Not like unto one of thine hand-maidens - I am as unworthy of thy regards as any of thine own maidservants, and yet thou showest me distinguished kindness.

Versículo 14

XII. Dip thy morsel in the vinegar - The חמץ chomets, which we here translate vinegar, seems to have b…

Dip thy morsel in the vinegar - The חמץ chomets, which we here translate vinegar, seems to have been some refreshing kind of acid sauce used by the reapers to dip their bread in, which both cooled and refreshed them. Vinegar, rob of fruits, etc., are used for this purpose in the East to the present day; and the custom of the Arabs, according to Dr. Shaw, is to dip the bread and hand together into these cooling and refreshing articles. Parched corn - This was a frequent repast among the ancients in almost all countries; see the notes on Lev 2:1-14 (note).

Versículo 15

XIII. Let her glean even among the sheaves - This was a privilege; for no person should glean till the …

Let her glean even among the sheaves - This was a privilege; for no person should glean till the sheaves were all bound, and the shocks set up.

Versículo 17

XIV. An ephah of barley - Not less than seven gallons and a half; a good day's work. On Hebrew measure…

An ephah of barley - Not less than seven gallons and a half; a good day's work. On Hebrew measures of capacity, see the note on Exo 16:16.

Versículo 18

XV. And gave to her that she had reserved - As Ruth had received a distinct portion at dinner-time, o…

And gave to her that she had reserved - As Ruth had received a distinct portion at dinner-time, of which she had more than she could eat, Rut 2:14; it appears she brought the rest home to her mother-in-law, as is here related.

Versículo 20

16. To the living and to the dead - Naomi and Ruth were the living; and they were also the representa…

To the living and to the dead - Naomi and Ruth were the living; and they were also the representatives of Elimelech and Mahlon, who were dead. Naomi was of the family; and Ruth, though not of the family, was a representative of one of its deceased branches, being the widow of Mahlon. One of our next kinsmen - מגאלינו miggoaleynu, of our redeemers, one who has the right to redeem the forfeited inheritance of the family. The word גאל goel signifies a near kinsman - one who by the Mosaic law had a right to redeem an inheritance, and also was permitted to vindicate or revenge the death of his relation by killing the slayer, if he found him out of the cities of refuge. In order to prevent families from running to decay, if a brother died childless, the next unmarried brother took his widow; and the children from that marriage were reputed the children of the deceased brother. The office of the next akin was threefold: 1. It belonged to him to buy back the forfeited inheritance, or the liberty of him who had been obliged to sell himself for a servant. 2. It was his right to avenge the blood of any of the family who had been killed, by killing the murderer. 3. It belonged to him to take the widow of a deceased brother or relative, if he died childless. If the nearest akin in any case refused, he was treated with indignity, lost his right to the inheritance, and the next akin to him might come forward and take the widow, etc., as in the case of Boaz. See Rut 4:4-10.

Versículo 21

17. Keep fast by my young men - The word הנערים hannearim should be translated servants, both the mal…

Keep fast by my young men - The word הנערים hannearim should be translated servants, both the male and female being included in it; the latter especially, as we see in Rut 2:22, Rut 2:23.

Versículo 23

18. And of wheat harvest - That is, she was to continue gleaning in the farm of Boaz to the end of th…

And of wheat harvest - That is, she was to continue gleaning in the farm of Boaz to the end of the barley harvest; and then, when the wheat harvest began, to continue to its conclusion in the same way. In the interim, as well as each night, she lodged with her mother-in-law. 1. Ruth seems to have been a woman of a very amiable mind: she was modest, and she was industrious, and most probably a comely woman; and all these things served to attract the attention of Boaz, and to engage his affection. Her attachment also to her mother-in-law could not fail to secure his esteem. All these things worked together in the course of Providence, to bring about a matrimonial connection, which in its issue was intimately connected with the salvation of a lost world; for, from this very line, Jesus Christ, according to the flesh, sprang; and Ruth showed herself as worthy to be one of His progenitors as the Virgin Mary was to be His mother. See the notes on Matthew 1:1-16 (note). 2. We should carefully attend to the leadings and to the workings of God's providence; it is our duty and our interest to do both, for the path of duty is ever the way of safety. Had not Ruth acted thus, how dreary and uncomfortable must her life have been! but she followed God fully, and in a path apparently dangerous, and yet, not only sustained no injury, but succeeded well in all things: from this, as well as from innumerable other circumstances, we see the truth of that word, Acknowledge him in all thy ways, and he will direct thy steps; and with this we may ever connect, Trust in the Lord with thy whole heart, and lean not to thy own understanding. Whosoever follows God in simplicity of heart, will most assuredly be guided into all truth.

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Versículo 5