Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 2:23
So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother-in-law.
23. wheat harvest ] followed two or three weeks later.
she dwelt with ] Or, with a slight change, she returned unto; so Vulg.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 23. 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 Mt 1:1-16
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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Heb. sat or continued at home, when she had despatched her occasions abroad, and did not wander or gad abroad, after the manner of idle persons and harlots, Pro 7:11,12.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean,…. Accepting the kindness of Boaz, and attending to the advice of her mother-in-law, as well as using all diligence to get a livelihood for her mother and herself; in which she was a wonderful instance of dutiful affection, humility, and industry: and so she continued
unto the end of barley harvest, and of wheat harvest; which latter began at Pentecost, as the former did at the passover; and, according to the Midrash l, from the beginning of the one, to the end of the other, were three months; though it may be, they were gathered in sooner: indeed from the passover to Pentecost were seven weeks, which was the difference between the beginning of one harvest, and the beginning of the other:
and dwelt with her mother in law; which is to be understood either of her coming home at night, after she had been gleaning all day, and lodging with her mother-in-law, which was her constant custom during both harvests; or that after the harvests were ended, she continued to dwell with her mother-in-law; which seems to be added for the sake of carrying on the history in the following chapter.
l Midrash Ruth, fol. 33. so Alshech in loc.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(23) And dwelt.Unspoiled by mixing with her new society, she stops on quietly at the end of her task, and tends her mother-in-law at home with the same fidelity with which she had worked for her abroad.
III.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘ So she stuck close to the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest, and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.’
So Ruth did what Naomi had asked, and ensured that she stuck close to Boaz’s young women, who would have regard for her because she was a protg of Boaz, all the while that she was gleaning, first with regard to the barley harvest, and then with regard to the wheat harvest which followed. And thus two or three months passed by. It was clear that YHWH was watching over the one who had taken shelter under His wings (Rth 2:12), and was keeping her safe.
“And she dwelt with her mother-in-law.” She remained a firm member of the family of the deceased Elimelech. It was as such that God’s purposes would be fulfilled. And thus she had protection, both when she was in the fields, and in the home in which she lived, for Naomi was a respected member of the community. But there is here also a reminder that they were two widows, two defenceless women living together. However, as we shall soon learn, God is the One Who watches over widows and orphans, and so they were not without a protector.
“The barley harvest — the wheat harvest.” The barley harvesting commenced immediately after the Feast of Unleavened Bread in late March or early April, whilst the wheat harvest was terminated by The Feast of Sevens (Weeks), that is, seven weeks later in late May or early June.
It should be noticed how God’s purposes are unravelling. Ruth 2 has dealt with the concern of Ruth and Naomi to find sufficient food to see them through the coming months, and with Ruth’s diligence in going about the task. For them that was a basic need and they had no other thought in mind. But it was while they were seeking to do this, with no other thought than to be obedient to God’s Law and to take advantage of His provision, that the One under Whose wings Ruth had taken refuge has revealed that He had greater purposes in mind.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
It is one of the most important precepts of the gospel as well as the law, cleave unto him (that is, the Lord) for he is thy life. Deu 13:4 . And certain it is, that if Jesus be our chief joy he will have our chief company. We shall stand fast by him and his people, and not be found in the field of the world, nor seeking our comfort from carnal pursuits. From one harvest to another, and from one full moon to another, if the Lord be our portion the Lord will be our delight.
REFLECTIONS
READER! pause over this chapter. Are we not, hike Naomi and Ruth, returned out of the country of Moab, brought by divine’ grace to seek sustenance in the land of Bethlehem? And have we not, hike them, a kinsman of our first parent, a mighty man of wealth indeed, whose name is Jesus? Yes, dearest Lord! let it be our hap to glean in thy fields, for all the world beside thee is but us a wilderness. All other sustenance is but as the husks which the swine do eat. And wilt thou not, dear Lord, though we are strangers, eye us when we seek to glean in thy pastures, and bid thy servants, the ministers of thy word, to drop suitable supply to our need? Conscious of our nothingness and poverty, we have reason indeed, like Ruth, to come with trembling and with apprehension. And should our Lord but graciously condescend to speak to his servants, Oh! what holy joy with it afford, that One so great, so glorious, should regard creatures such as we are. Surely the most becoming language of our hearts must be, like Ruth: Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger. Oh, Lord! let a poor Gentile, whom thou hast taken into thy church and family, find grace in thy sight: and let thine Holy Spirit give to me such strength, that I may never glean in other ground, nor seek comfort from other resources. No! blessed Jesus! there is enough in thee to live upon forever. Oh! may I abide in thee, and keep fast by the companions of my Lord’s service. And let thine eyes be upon me from harvest to harvest, and from one end of the year even to the other end of the year, until the whole of thy dispensations concerning thy church on earth are ended: and then may it be my lot, with all, the ransomed of Zion, to return with songs and everlasting joy upon our heads; then s/tall we obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rth 2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
Ver. 23. So she kept fast. ] According to her mother’s counsel, which she esteemed as an oracle.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
and of wheat harvest. Therefore near the Feast of Pentecost. This is why this book is read at that feast. See note on title.
dwelt with. Some codices read “returned unto”. Vulgate commences the next chapter with this sentence.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 6:6-8, Pro 13:1, Pro 13:20, 1Co 15:33, Eph 6:1-3
Reciprocal: Exo 9:31 – the barley Rth 1:22 – in the beginning Rth 2:21 – young men Rth 3:2 – with whose Pro 31:13 – worketh