Ruth 2:7

Authorized King James Version

And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַתֹּ֗אמֶר

H559

And she said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלַקֳטָה

H3950

I pray you let me glean

properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean

נָּא֙

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וְאָֽסַפְתִּ֣י

H622

and gather

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

בָֽעֳמָרִ֔ים

H6016

among the sheaves

properly, a heap, i.e., a sheaf; also an omer, as a dry measure

אַֽחֲרֵ֖י

H310

after

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הַקּֽוֹצְרִ֑ים

H7114

the reapers

to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)

וַתָּב֣וֹא

H935

so she came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַֽתַּעֲמ֗וֹד

H5975

and hath continued

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

#10

מֵאָ֤ז

H227

even

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

#11

הַבֹּ֙קֶר֙

H1242

from the morning

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

#12

וְעַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#13

עַ֔תָּה

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

#14

זֶ֛ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#15

שִׁבְתָּ֥הּ

H3427

until now that she tarried

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

#16

הַבַּ֖יִת

H1004

in the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#17

מְעָֽט׃

H4592

a little

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ruth. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ruth Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Ruth chapter 2 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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