Ruth 2:4

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהִנֵּה
lo!
#2
בֹ֗עַז
And behold Boaz
boaz, the ancestor of david; also the name of a pillar in front of the temple
#3
בָּ֚א
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#4
מִבֵּ֣ית
H0
#5
לֶ֔חֶם
from Bethlehem
beth-lechem, a place in palestine
#6
וַיֹּ֥אמְרוּ
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
לַקּֽוֹצְרִ֖ים
unto the reapers
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
#8
יְהוָֽה׃
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
עִמָּכֶ֑ם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#10
וַיֹּ֥אמְרוּ
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
ל֖וֹ
H0
#12
יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֥
bless
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
#13
יְהוָֽה׃
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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