Ruth 2:20
And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Naomi's blessing reveals a profound depth to Boaz's kindness; it wasn't just for the living (Ruth and herself) but also for their deceased family members, honoring their memory. This act also signifies Boaz's role as a goel, a kinsman-redeemer, hinting at the ancient, sacred responsibilities tied to family lineage and the restoration of lost fortunes.
Ruth has just returned from gleaning in the fields, bringing home a surprisingly large amount of barley. Naomi, upon hearing about the generosity of the landowner, Boaz, blesses him for his kindness, recognizing that his favor extends to both the living (Ruth and herself) and the dead (her late husband and sons). She then reveals Boaz's crucial identity: he is not just a benefactor, but a potential "kinsman-redeemer," someone legally obligated to protect their family and property.
Naomi's prayer isn't just about Boaz; it's a profound statement about God's character. What does it mean for kindness to extend beyond life itself?
When Naomi blesses Boaz, she says, "May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead." This is a powerful declaration about God's enduring faithfulness.
Kindness to the Living
First, Boaz's kindness is seen in his care for Ruth and, by extension, Naomi. He allows Ruth to glean in his fields, protects her, and ensures she has plenty to eat. This is practical, present-day care for those who are alive.
Kindness to the Dead
But Naomi goes deeper. Boaz's kindness extends "to the dead." This refers to the kindness shown to Naomi's deceased husband, Elimelech, and her sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Boaz is honoring their memory and upholding their family's legacy by caring for their widows. His actions connect the present to the past, showing that God's covenant and care are not broken by death.
The God of Both
Naomi is marveling that Boaz reflects the very character of God – a God who remembers and sustains His people, both those still living and those who have passed on. It's a reminder that God's love and faithfulness transcend even the boundary of death.
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Naomi identifies Boaz as a "redeemer." What ancient responsibilities and rights did this role entail, and why was it so crucial for her family?
Naomi doesn't just see Boaz as a kind stranger; she recognizes his specific role within Israelite society: the goel, or kinsman-redeemer.
More Than Just a Relative
The goel was a near kinsman with specific legal and social obligations. Boaz, being related to Naomi's late husband Elimelech, had the right and responsibility to:
Boaz as the Goel
Naomi identifies Boaz as "one of our redeemers." She understands that his kindness to Ruth isn't just generosity; it's potentially an act of fulfilling this redemptive duty. He has the legal standing to step in, restore what was lost (land, name, and lineage), and provide for the surviving family members.
This role was vital for maintaining family integrity, economic stability, and social order in ancient Israel. Boaz embodies this ancient system, acting with both compassion and legal understanding.
Understand the original words
chesed · Hebrew Noun
A profound biblical term (Hebrew: chesed) denoting covenantal loyalty, steadfast love, kindness, and mercy that goes beyond duty. It characterizes God's faithful devotion to His people.
azab · Hebrew Verb
To abandon, leave behind, or cease to support; in a theological context, it refers to the removal of divine favor or covenantal presence.
ga'al · Hebrew Noun
A legal designation (goel) for a family member who has the right and responsibility to act on behalf of a relative to redeem land, buy back a person from slavery, or marry a widow to carry on a name.
Naomi's deep gratitude in this verse highlights the ancient Near Eastern concept of the 'kinsman-redeemer' (Goel), a family member obligated to protect and provide for relatives, especially widows, and to uphold the family name and inheritance.
c. 12th century BC
Period of the Judges
The events in Ruth occur during the tumultuous Period of the Judges, a time in Israel's history marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance.
During the Period of the Judges
Elimelech's Family Emigrates to Moab
Due to famine in Bethlehem, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, move to the foreign land of Moab. This was a significant departure from Israel.
During the Period of the Judges
Deaths of Elimelech and His Sons
Tragedy strikes the family as Elimelech and both of his sons die in Moab, leaving Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth as widows.
During the Period of the Judges
Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem
Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, and Ruth, showing incredible loyalty, insists on going with her, embracing Naomi's people and God.
During the Period of the Judges— this verse
Ruth Gleans in Boaz's Field
Ruth goes out to glean barley in the fields to provide for herself and Naomi. She happens upon the field belonging to Boaz, a relative of Naomi's late husband, Elimelech.
During the Period of the Judges
Boaz recognizes Ruth's kindness
Boaz notices Ruth, learns of her loyalty to Naomi, and instructs his workers to favor her, showing her significant kindness. He blesses her and provides generously for her.
This passage speaks to the principle of not completely harvesting fields and leaving gleanings for the poor and vulnerable, echoing the kindness shown by Boaz to Ruth and, by extension, to the memory of Naomi's deceased family.
Deuteronomy 25:5-10This law describes the role of the kinsman-redeemer (Goel) and levirate marriage, providing the legal and cultural context for Boaz's actions and Naomi's recognition of his potential role.
Psalm 41:1-3This psalm highlights God's blessing upon those who show kindness to the poor and needy, paralleling Naomi's prayer for Boaz and affirming that such generosity is divinely recognized and rewarded.
Job 29:12-13Job recounts his own past righteousness, including his deep compassion for the poor and needy, reflecting the kind of selfless generosity that Naomi recognizes and praises in Boaz.
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 2:20: "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."
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 wi…
Naomi's blessing reveals a profound depth to Boaz's kindness; it wasn't just for the living (Ruth and herself) but also for their deceased family members, honoring their memory. This act also signifies Boaz's role as a goel, a kinsman-redeemer, hinting at the ancient, sacred responsibilities tied to family lineage and the restoration of lost fortunes.
Ruth has just returned from gleaning in the fields, bringing home a surprisingly large amount of barley. Naomi, upon hearing about the generosity of the landowner, Boaz, blesses him for his kindness, recognizing that his favor extends to both the living (Ruth and herself) and the dead (her late husband and sons). She then reveals Boaz's crucial identity: he is not just a benefactor, but a potential "kinsman-redeemer," someone legally obligated to protect their family and property.
Ruth has just returned from gleaning in the fields, bringing home a surprisingly large amount of barley. Naomi, upon hearing about the generosity of the landowner, Boaz, blesses him for his kindness, recognizing that his favor extends to both the living (Ruth and herself) and the dead (her late husband and sons). She then reveals Boaz's crucial identity: he is not just a benefactor, but a potential "kinsman-redeemer," someone legally obligated to protect their family and property.
"And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”" — Naomi's blessing reveals a profound depth to Boaz's kindness; it wasn't just for the living (Ruth and herself) but also for their deceased family members, honoring their memory. This act also signifi…
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