KING JAMES VERSION

RUTH, CHAPTER 1

1 Elimelech, driven by famine to Moab, dies there. 4 Mahlon and Cilion, who have married women from Moab, also die. 6 Naomi, on her way home, dissuades her two daughters-in-law from accompanying her. 14 Orpah leaves her, but Ruth follows her with great determination. 19 The two come to Bethlehem, where they are received with joy.

Rth 1:1 NOW it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

Rth 1:2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Rth 1:3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Rth 1:4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

Rth 1:5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

Rth 1:6 ¶ Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.

Rth 1:7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

Rth 1:8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Rth 1:9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

Rth 1:10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

Rth 1:11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet anymore sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

Rth 1:12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

Rth 1:13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

Rth 1:14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

Rth 1:15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

Rth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Rth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Rth 1:18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

Rth 1:19 ¶ So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

Rth 1:20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.*

[*Note: Here, Naomi expresses her sorrow and pain by asking the people to call her Mara, which means bitter, instead of Naomi, which means sweet or joyful. She feels that God has allowed hardship to befall her and that her life has become filled with bitterness].

Rth 1:21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?*

[*Note: Here, Naomi describes how she once left Bethlehem with her hands full, rich in family and hope, but now she returns empty-handed after losing her husband and sons. She feels that God has testified against her and put her through difficult trials. Therefore, she feels that the name Noomi (meaning sweet or joyful) no longer suits her, as she now experiences her life as bitter and full of suffering].

Rth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

KING JAMES VERSION

RUTH, CHAPTER 2

1 Ruth is picking axes in Boaz's fields. 4 When Boaz finds out about her, he shows her great favour. 18 She takes what she has gathered to Naomi.

Rth 2:1 AND Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

Rth 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.*

[*Note: Ruth shows initiative in providing for them both by gathering axes in the fields, an act that was permitted to the poor and needy. She hopes to find favour with someone who will allow her to pick for the harvesters, and Naomi gives her consent].

Rth 2:3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Rth 2:4 ¶ And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

Rth 2:5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

Rth 2:6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

Rth 2:7 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.

Rth 2:8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:

Rth 2:9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of thatwhich the young men have drawn.

Rth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

Rth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

Rth 2:12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

Rth 2:13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

Rth 2:14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn,* and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.

[*Note: The term “parched corn” in the KJV, refers to roasted or dried grain, usually barley or wheat, that has been lightly roasted over a fire to make it edible and flavourful. This method was common in the ancient Middle East and was used to prepare new harvests before the grains had time to dry naturally. Roasting brings out a sweet, nutty flavour and makes the grains crispy].

Rth 2:15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:

Rth 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.*

[*Note: The phrase “the handfuls of purpose” in the KJV, implies that the reapers would deliberately let some ‘handfuls’ of the harvest fall to the ground quite intentionally for the sake of Ruth. The word “handful” according to the Webster's Dictionary 1828 the word means: as much as the hand can grasp, contain, or is as much as the arms will embrace. - That way she would have more to gather without having to work as hard to pick the axes, since they are left specifically for her].

Rth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.

Rth 2:18 ¶ And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.

Rth 2:19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.

Rth 2:20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.*

[*Note: Naomi expresses her gratitude to God for Boaz's kindness, which she sees as a blessing both for the living (herself and Ruth) and the dead (Naomi's deceased husband and sons). Naomi also explains that Boaz is a kinsman-redeemer, which means that he has a special role and opportunity to help them according to Israelite law and tradition.]

Rth 2:21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

Rth 2:22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.

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.

KING JAMES VERSION

RUTH, CHAPTER 3

1 By following Noomi's instructions, Ruth lies down at Boaz's feet. 8 Boaz acknowledge the right of a kinsman. 14 He sends her away with six measures of barley.

Rth 3:1 THEN Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

Rth 3:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

Rth 3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

Rth 3:4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

Rth 3:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

Rth 3:6 ¶ And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.

Rth 3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

Rth 3:8 ¶ And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

Rth 3:9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.*

[*Note: TheSkirtisthe lower and loose part of a coat or other garment; the part below the waist; as the skirt of a coat or mantle. (1 Samuel 15:27).– To “spread thy skirt over” is in Scripture, to take under one's care and protection – Webster's Dictionary 1828].

Rth 3:10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

Rth 3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

Rth 3:12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

Rth 3:13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.

Rth 3:14 ¶ And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

Rth 3:15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she* went into the city.

[*Note: In the 1st edition of the KJV Bible in the year 1611 it reads ‘and he went into the city’ which suggests that it was Boaz who went into the city. The 1st ed. of the KJV Bible is therefore called the ‘HE’-Bible. In the 2st ed, published in the same year 1611, it reads ‘she went into the city’, which refers to Ruth and this edition is called the ‘SHE’-Bible.In the 1769 edition, it also reads ‘she’. Other Bible translations still differ in this verse today (compare the text with e.g. ESV; NIV; NASB or NLT). – Interestingly, both these textual readings (he or she) in the book of Ruth 3:15 are completely without contradiction since both Ruth and Boaz obviously entered the city: Observe in Ruth 3:16 - Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi is in the city (see also Ruth 1:22). And observe in Ruth 4:1 – Boaz went up to the ‘gate’ of the city to meet the closest relative of Naomi. In Ruth 3:18 it says of Boaz ‘for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day’ which shows that he also entered into the City, without delay; both Ruth and Boaz entered into the city, but to different destinations and they did not enter into the city together. Ruth went to her mother-in-law in Bethlehem with the barley (vs 17) that Boaz had given to her and Boaz went to the gate of Bethlehem.]

Rth 3:16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.

Rth 3:17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

Rth 3:18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

KING JAMES VERSION

RUTH, CHAPTER 4

1 Boaz callers into judgment the next kinsman. 6 He refuses the redemption according to the maner of Israel. 9 Boaz buys the inheritance. 11 He marries Ruth. 13 She gives birth to Obed, David's grandfather. 18 The generation line of Phares.

Rth 4:1 THEN went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

Rth 4:2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.

Rth 4:3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:

Rth 4:4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.

Rth 4:5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.*

[*Note: Boaz explains to the relative that he has the right to redeem Noomi's land before the inhabitants and elders, which was part of the formal process.]

Rth 4:6 ¶ And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.*

[*Note: The redemption of the land also involves the responsibility to marry Ruth, the widow of Noomi's deceased son, to maintain the inheritance and family name of the deceased. This is part of the redeemer's duty under Israelite law, which ensures that the name and heritage of the deceased continues through any children born in this marriage.]

Rth 4:7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.*

[*Note: This is how it used to be done in Israel for redemption and exchange, to confirm all agreements: a man took off his shoe and gave it to his neighbour, and this was a testimony in Israel.]

Rth 4:8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

Rth 4:9 ¶ And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.

Rth 4:10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

Rth 4:11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Beth-lehem:*

[*Note: The people and elders affirm their support and bless Boaz and Ruth. They pray that Ruth will be as blessed as Rachel and Leah, the two women who became the mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel. They also express a desire for Boaz to be prominent and honoured in Ephrathah and Bethlehem, reflecting their respect and hopes for their future together.]

Rth 4:12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.

Rth 4:13 ¶ So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.

Rth 4:14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.

Rth 4:15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

Rth 4:16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

Rth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Rth 4:18 ¶ Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,*

Rth 4:19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,

Rth 4:20 And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,

Rth 4:21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,

Rth 4:22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

[*Note: At the end of the book of Ruth (Ruth 4:18-22) is a genealogical chart tracing the descent from Peres, son of Judah and Tamar, and showing the generations leading up to King David. 1 Pharez – Son of Judah and Tamar (Gen. 38:29). Pharez was the ancestor of several families in the tribe of Judah and is mentioned as important in this lineage. 2 Hezron– Son of Pharez (1 Chron. 2:5). Hezron is one of the ancestors of Judah, and he also appears in other genealogical accounts. 3 Ram– Son of Hezron (1 Chron. 2:9). He is also part of the Judah lineage and the lineage leading to David. 4 Amminadab– Son of Ram (1 Chron. 2:10). He was also the father-in-law of Naheson and part of the leadership of Israel during the wilderness wanderings. 5 Naheson– Son of Amminadab (Numbers 1:7, 1 Chronicles 2:10). Naheson was a prince of the tribe of Judah during Israel's time in the wilderness and is mentioned as an important leader. 6 Salmon– Son of Naheson (Ruth 4:20, 1 Chronicles 2:11). Salmon is also known to have been the husband of Rahab, the woman who helped the Israelite scouts in Jericho (Matt. 1:5). 7 Boaz– Son of Salmon and husband of Ruth (Ruth 4:21). Boaz becomes a redeemer of Noomi's family and father of Obed through his marriage to Ruth. 8 Obed– Son of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:21-22). Obed became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. 9 Jesse– Son of Obed and father of David (1 Sam. 16:1, 1 Chron. 2:12). Jesse is known as the father of David, the future king of Israel. 10 David– Son of Jesse (Ruth 4:22, 1 Sam. 16:13). David is a central figure in the Bible as the second king of Israel, and his lineage becomes prophetically important, as the Messiah is foretold to come from his line (Isa 11:1) – Pharez lineage is important not only historically but also theologically, as it connects the tribe of Judah to King David and, in the genealogy of the Gospel of Matthew (Matt. 1:1-16), further on to the lineage of Jesus.]