Ruth 2:17
So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Ruth's diligence is astounding; not only did she gather an impressive amount, but she also processed it herself in the field, beating out the grain to reduce its bulk and make it easier to carry home for Naomi. This scene reveals a significant day's provision, showing that her hard work yielded a substantial return.
Ruth, a Moabite widow, has bravely gone to the fields to glean leftover grain to provide for herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi. She has found favor with Boaz, a wealthy landowner, and his reapers are subtly helping her gather more than usual. After a long day of diligent work and a generous meal provided by Boaz's hospitality, Ruth gathers her haul and processes it herself, yielding a surprisingly large amount—about a bushel of barley.
Ruth didn't shy away from difficult, humble labor. What does the Bible say about the value of honest work, even when it's not glamorous?
Ruth's day of gleaning shows us the dignity of diligent labor. Even though gleaning was a task for the poor and often seen as lowly, Ruth threw herself into it with all her heart.
A Day's Toil
She worked "until evening," a full day's effort. This wasn't a quick, casual effort, but sustained, hard work. The result? She gathered enough barley to fill an "ephah," a significant amount, estimated to be around a bushel (or about 7-8 gallons).
Profit in Perseverance
This massive yield wasn't just luck. It was the direct result of her perseverance. The Bible often commends industry. The Proverbs, for instance, speak repeatedly about the rewards of hard work and the dangers of laziness.
This shows that diligence and careful planning, like Ruth’s, are wise and honorable traits.
Ruth didn't just collect grain; she processed it! Discover the practical wisdom behind her actions and what it reveals about her character.
It wasn't enough for Ruth to simply gather the barley; she took the extra step to process it herself. This shows her resourcefulness and commitment to making her hard-won gains useful.
Threshing in the Field
Instead of carrying the straw and chaff back home, Ruth "beat out what she had gleaned." This was likely done using a simple tool, perhaps a stick or stone, to separate the grain from the stalks and husks right there in the field. This made her load lighter and her harvest immediately usable.
Smart Labor for a Purpose
Understand the original words
eyphah · Hebrew Noun
A dry measure for grain, equivalent to about 20-22 liters or approximately 0.6 bushels.
se'orah · Hebrew Noun
A common grain in the Ancient Near East, often associated with the beginning of the harvest season in Israel.
Ruth's extraordinary harvest of an ephah (about a bushel) of barley in a single day highlights not just her incredible diligence, but also the significant, perhaps even supernatural, favor Boaz and his workers extended to her. This abundance, far beyond typical gleaning, underscores God's providential care and the beginning of His redemptive plan through her.
c. 11th century BC
Period of the Judges
The events of Ruth unfold during the turbulent Period of the Judges, a time of Israelite history marked by a cycle of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance, lacking strong central leadership.
Late 11th century BC
Famine in Bethlehem
A famine prompts Elimelech and Naomi to leave Bethlehem for Moab, setting the stage for the tragic deaths of Elimelech and their sons, Mahlon and Chilion.
Late 11th century BC
Naomi's Return to Bethlehem
After the deaths of her husband and sons in Moab, Naomi decides to return to her homeland, accompanied by her Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth.
Late 11th century BC— this verse
Ruth Gleans in Boaz's Field
Ruth diligently gleans barley in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Naomi's late husband, seeking sustenance for herself and Naomi.
This passage establishes the commandment to leave gleanings for the poor and sojourners, highlighting the legal and social context of Ruth's actions.
Deuteronomy 24:19-22These verses further explain the practice of gleaning, showing it as a divinely ordained provision for the vulnerable, emphasizing God's care for those on the margins of society.
John 6:12-13This account of Jesus feeding the five thousand demonstrates the principle of gathering what is left over and not wasting God's provision, echoing Ruth's diligent gathering and Naomi's instruction to use it.
2 Kings 4:1-7The story of the widow with the jar of oil shows God multiplying a small amount of provision in response to obedience and faith, similar to how Ruth's diligent gleaning led to unexpected abundance.
henryRuth 2:17-23: "So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley."
2:17-23 It encourages industry, that in all labour, even that of gleaning, there is profit. Ruth was pleased with what she gained by her own industry, and was careful to secure it. Let us thus take care that we lose not those things which we have wrought, which we have gained for our souls' good, 2Jo 1:8. Parents should examine their children, as Naomi did, not to frig…
clarkeRuth 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."
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 Exodus 16:16 .
Ruth's diligence is astounding; not only did she gather an impressive amount, but she also processed it herself in the field, beating out the grain to reduce its bulk and make it easier to carry home for Naomi. This scene reveals a significant day's provision, showing that her hard work yielded a substantial return.
Ruth, a Moabite widow, has bravely gone to the fields to glean leftover grain to provide for herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi. She has found favor with Boaz, a wealthy landowner, and his reapers are subtly helping her gather more than usual. After a long day of diligent work and a generous meal provided by Boaz's hospitality, Ruth gathers her haul and processes it herself, yielding a surprisingly large amount—about a bushel of barley.
Ruth, a Moabite widow, has bravely gone to the fields to glean leftover grain to provide for herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi. She has found favor with Boaz, a wealthy landowner, and his reapers are subtly helping her gather more than usual. After a long day of diligent work and a generous meal provided by Boaz's hospitality, Ruth gathers her haul and processes it herself, yielding a surprisingly large amount—about a bushel of barley.
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This act of processing highlights Ruth's practical wisdom. She wasn't just working hard; she was working smart. She understood that the value of her gleaning was realized not just in collection, but in preparation. This ensured that the barley was ready for Naomi and herself to use or prepare for food.
Ruth's actions embody this principle of working diligently and responsibly with what one has.
An 'ephah' was a substantial amount! What does this specific quantity of barley signify in Ruth's story?
The measure of Ruth's harvest—an ephah of barley—is significant. It points to both God's abundant provision and Ruth's remarkable success, which was far beyond what a typical gleaner might gather.
More Than Enough
Scholars estimate an ephah to be roughly a bushel, a quantity that could sustain Ruth and Naomi for several days. This wasn't just a meager handful; it was a significant supply.
Favor and Blessing
While Ruth's diligence was key, the text implies that Boaz's favor and the reapers' intentional kindness played a huge role. They likely allowed her to glean more freely and perhaps even "dropped handfuls" for her to gather. This points to God working through human actions to provide for Ruth.
This verse reminds us that even difficult circumstances can be part of God's plan for provision and protection, just as Boaz's field became a place of provision for Ruth.
Late 11th century BC
Boaz Shows Favor to Ruth
Boaz, impressed by Ruth's loyalty and diligence, instructs his workers to favor her, allowing her to glean freely and even leaving extra grain for her.
Late 11th century BC
Naomi's Plan for Ruth
Naomi, recognizing Boaz's kindness, devises a plan for Ruth to approach him on the threshing floor, seeking his protection and potential marriage.
Late 11th century BC
Boaz Redeems Ruth and Naomi
Boaz acts as a kinsman-redeemer, marrying Ruth and securing the family's land and legacy, ultimately leading to the lineage of King David.
"So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley." — Ruth's diligence is astounding; not only did she gather an impressive amount, but she also processed it herself in the field, beating out the grain to reduce its bulk and make it easier to carry home…
