Ruth 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.
Original Language Analysis
לְכַלָּתָ֗הּ
unto her daughter in law
H3618
לְכַלָּתָ֗הּ
unto her daughter in law
Strong's:
H3618
Word #:
3 of 22
a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife
בָּר֥וּךְ
Blessed
H1288
בָּר֥וּךְ
Blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
4 of 22
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
הוּא֙
H1931
הוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
5 of 22
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
be he of the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
be he of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָזַ֣ב
who hath not left off
H5800
עָזַ֣ב
who hath not left off
Strong's:
H5800
Word #:
9 of 22
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
חַסְדּ֔וֹ
his kindness
H2617
חַסְדּ֔וֹ
his kindness
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
10 of 22
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הַֽחַיִּ֖ים
to the living
H2416
הַֽחַיִּ֖ים
to the living
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
12 of 22
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וְאֶת
H854
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הַמֵּתִ֑ים
and to the dead
H4191
הַמֵּתִ֑ים
and to the dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
14 of 22
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
הָאִ֔ישׁ
unto her The man
H376
הָאִ֔ישׁ
unto her The man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
20 of 22
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
2 Samuel 2:5And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.Proverbs 17:17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.Leviticus 25:25If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.Job 19:25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:Ruth 4:14And 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.Ruth 4:6And 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.2 Samuel 9:1And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?Philippians 4:10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Historical Context
The kinsman-redeemer (go'el) concept combined family loyalty with legal responsibility to preserve family property and lineage. Leviticus 25 and Deuteronomy 25 established these laws. Naomi's recognition that Boaz is go'el means he has both right and responsibility to help. Her joy demonstrates faith reviving—God hasn't abandoned them but is orchestrating redemption. The reference to God's kindness toward the dead means preserving their name and inheritance through the kinsman-redeemer system.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the kinsman-redeemer concept foreshadow Christ's redemption of believers who cannot redeem themselves?
- What does Naomi's recognition of providence teach about seeing God's faithfulness even after seasons of despair?
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Analysis & Commentary
Naomi's response reveals God's providence: 'Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead'. This blessing references God's chesed (covenant loyalty) continuing toward both living (Ruth and Naomi) and dead (Elimelech, Mahlon, Chilion) through raising up a kinsman-redeemer. Naomi explains: 'The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen'. The term go'el (גֹּאֵל, redeemer) appears, indicating Boaz can redeem Elimelech's property and potentially marry Ruth to preserve the family line. Naomi's bitter despair (1:20-21) begins transforming to hope as she recognizes God's redemptive purposes.