When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Boaz isn't just allowing Ruth to glean; he's granting her special access to glean "even among the sheaves." This wasn't typically permitted until after the sheaves were bound, indicating a profound kindness and a desire to ensure she could gather more generously, without shame or hindrance.
When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Boaz, after observing Ruth gleaning in his field, shows exceptional kindness. He not only grants her permission to glean but instructs his workers to allow her to glean even among the bound sheaves, a privilege typically reserved for later. He specifically tells them not to mistreat or humiliate her, demonstrating his protective favor towards this foreign widow.
Imagine Ruth, a foreigner, going out to collect leftover grain. What if, instead of just scraps, she was allowed to gather from the very best spots?
Boaz's command to let Ruth glean 'even among the sheaves' was a significant act of kindness and protection. This wasn't just about letting her pick up dropped bits; it meant she could gather from areas where more grain would naturally fall as the reapers worked and bound the sheaves. It was a higher level of privilege, offering her a better chance to collect a substantial amount for herself and Naomi.
This directive also served to shield Ruth. By specifically instructing his men not to 'reproach her,' Boaz created an environment where she could work with dignity, free from scorn or accusation. It speaks to his character and his desire to offer meaningful help, not just charity.
What does it mean when someone in power not only grants permission but actively tells their team to protect the vulnerable?
Boaz didn't just tell his workers to allow Ruth to glean; he issued a clear command: 'do not reproach her.' This was crucial. As a foreign woman, Ruth was already in a vulnerable position. She could have easily been mocked, harassed, or accused by the reapers.
Boaz's instruction acted as a shield. It signaled to his men that Ruth was under his protection and that any mistreatment would not be tolerated. This demonstrated his character – he was a righteous man who cared for the vulnerable and ensured justice and respect for those who might otherwise be overlooked or mistreated.
Ask a follow-up
Why would a wealthy landowner tell a poor gleaner to work hard, even offering her more opportunity?
Boaz’s actions show a profound respect for work and dignity. He could have simply given Ruth food or money, but instead, he provided the means for her to earn her livelihood through diligent labor. Allowing her to glean 'even among the sheaves' meant she had a better opportunity to gather a substantial amount, ensuring she wasn’t just surviving but could provide for Naomi as well.
This approach contrasts with charity that might foster idleness. Boaz empowered Ruth to contribute and sustain herself, upholding her inherent worth. His command reflects a wisdom that values honest effort and enables self-sufficiency, respecting the person as much as the need.
Understand the original words
laqat · Hebrew Verb
The act of gathering leftover crops after the harvest, a provision mandated by the Mosaic Law to support the poor, the widow, and the sojourner.
kalam · Hebrew Verb
The public act of shaming, blaming, or finding fault in someone; in a legal or social context, it refers to causing someone distress or bringing disgrace upon them.
Boaz's specific, public instructions to his workers underscore the precariousness of Ruth's position as a foreigner and widow. His decree to let her glean 'even among the sheaves' and 'not reproach her' highlights a remarkable act of kindness and protection beyond the normal legal requirements for gleaners.
c. 1100 BC
Period of the Judges Ends
The Book of Ruth is set during the turbulent and chaotic 'Period of the Judges,' a time marked by moral decay and lack of central leadership in Israel.
c. 1100-1050 BC
Ruth's Migration from Moab
Driven by famine and loss, Naomi and her family left Bethlehem for Moab, where Ruth married Mahlon. After their deaths, Ruth chose to return with Naomi to Judah.
c. 1050 BC
Boaz's Property in Bethlehem
Boaz, a prosperous relative of Naomi's late husband, owned land near Bethlehem, where the barley harvest was a crucial event for the community's survival.
c. 1050 BC— this verse
Ruth Gleans in Boaz's Field
Ruth, seeking to provide for Naomi, went to glean in the fields. She happened upon the field of Boaz, who recognized her connection to Naomi and her foreigner status.
c. 1050 BC
Boaz Instructs His Workers
Boaz publicly and generously extended extraordinary protection and favor to Ruth, allowing her to glean even among the sheaves and forbidding his workers from mistreating or hindering her.
c. 1050 BC
Naomi and Ruth Receive Abundant Provision
Thanks to Boaz's intervention, Ruth gathered a significant amount of grain, far more than typical gleaning, ensuring ample food for herself and Naomi.
This Levitical law establishes the principle of leaving gleanings for the poor and the foreigner, which Boaz is faithfully upholding and even exceeding for Ruth.
Deuteronomy 24:19-22These verses reiterate the command to leave gleanings in the field, emphasizing God's care for the vulnerable, a care Boaz directly mirrors in his actions towards Ruth.
Proverbs 3:3-4Boaz's kindness and protection over Ruth exemplifies this proverb, showing how loyalty and steadfast love lead to favor and good repute.
Matthew 15:21-28The story of the Syrophoenician woman shows Jesus extending favor beyond expected boundaries, similar to how Boaz, a righteous Israelite, shows extraordinary kindness to Ruth, a foreigner.
1 Timothy 5:8While Ruth was diligently gleaning to provide, Boaz's intervention ensures she can do so without shame, reflecting a broader principle of caring for those who provide for their households.
henryRuth 2:4-16: "And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee."
2:4-16 The pious and kind language between Boaz and his reapers shows that there were godly persons in Israel. Such language as this is seldom heard in our field; too often, on the contrary, what is immoral and corrupt. A stranger would form a very different opinion of our land, from that which Ruth would form of Israel from the converse and conduct…
clarkeRuth 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:"
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.
Boaz isn't just allowing Ruth to glean; he's granting her special access to glean "even among the sheaves." This wasn't typically permitted until after the sheaves were bound, indicating a profound kindness and a desire to ensure she could gather more generously, without shame or hindrance.
Boaz, after observing Ruth gleaning in his field, shows exceptional kindness. He not only grants her permission to glean but instructs his workers to allow her to glean even among the bound sheaves, a privilege typically reserved for later. He specifically tells them not to mistreat or humiliate her, demonstrating his protective favor towards this foreign widow.
Boaz, after observing Ruth gleaning in his field, shows exceptional kindness. He not only grants her permission to glean but instructs his workers to allow her to glean even among the bound sheaves, a privilege typically reserved for later. He specifically tells them not to mistreat or humiliate her, demonstrating his protective favor towards this foreign widow.
"When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her." — Boaz isn't just allowing Ruth to glean; he's granting her special access to glean "even among the sheaves." This wasn't typically permitted until after the sheaves were bound, indicating a profound k…
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Last reviewed October 2026