What does Ruth 2:17 mean?

"So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley." - Ruth 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." - Ruth 2:17

The Book of Ruth is a beautiful and poignant story of faith, loyalty, and love. The verse Ruth 2:17 from the King James Version (KJV) reads:

"So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley."

In order to fully understand the meaning and commentary of this verse, it is important to consider the context in which it is situated. The book of Ruth takes place during the period of the Judges in Israel, a time characterized by moral decline and political instability. The story begins with an Israelite family from Bethlehem, who due to a famine, move to the land of Moab. The family faces hardship as the father dies, leaving behind his wife, Naomi, and their two sons. The sons marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth, but tragically, both sons also die, leaving three widows in a foreign land.

Naomi, devastated by the loss of her husband and sons, urges her daughters-in-law to return to their own families in Moab. While Orpah chooses to leave, Ruth clings to Naomi and professes her loyalty and commitment to her mother-in-law and her God. These events set the stage for the unfolding of the providential plan of redemption.

Ruth 2:17 takes place after Ruth has begun gleaning in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Naomi's deceased husband. Gleaning was a practice in ancient Israel where the poor and needy were allowed to gather the leftover grain after the harvesters had finished. Ruth sets out to glean in order to provide sustenance for herself and her mother-in-law. In this verse, we see Ruth's diligence and hard work as she continues gleaning until evening, and has gathered about an ephah of barley, a significant amount of grain.

The act of gleaning serves as a powerful symbol of faith, perseverance, and provision. Ruth's commitment to providing for Naomi demonstrates her loyalty and love. This selfless act also illustrates Ruth's reliance on the providence of God to meet her needs as a foreigner in a land where she has no social standing.

The quantity of barley that Ruth gleaned, about an ephah, is also significant. An ephah was a standard dry measure in Israel, equivalent to approximately 22 liters. This would have been a substantial amount of grain for Ruth to gather, and it highlights the favor and blessing that she received while gleaning in Boaz's field.

Symbolically, the barley that Ruth gathered foreshadows the future redemption and restoration that will come about through her relationship with Boaz. As the story unfolds, Boaz becomes Ruth's kinsman-redeemer, marrying her and securing a future for Naomi and Ruth. Ultimately, their union leads to the birth of Obed, who becomes the grandfather of David, the greatest king of Israel. This lineage continues on to Jesus, the ultimate redeemer and savior of humanity.

The themes of faith, loyalty, and redemption are central to the book of Ruth, and this verse captures these themes beautifully. Ruth's steadfast commitment to Naomi and her willingness to work diligently in the fields reflect her faith in God's provision and her loyalty to her family. This verse also serves as a reminder of the ultimate provision and redemption that comes through God's providential care and love for His people.

In conclusion, Ruth 2:17 is a powerful and evocative verse that encapsulates the themes of faith, loyalty, and redemption found in the book of Ruth. The verse serves as a poignant reminder of the hope and blessing that comes from trusting in God and faithfully serving others. It also foreshadows the unfolding plan of redemption that will ultimately lead to the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. This verse continues to inspire and encourage readers to embrace faithfulness, perseverance, and trust in God's provision.

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Ruth 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."

Ruth 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."

"So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley." - Ruth 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." - Ruth 2:17

Ruth 2:2 - "And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2 - "And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:22 - "And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field."

Ruth 2:22 - "And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field."

Ruth 2:8 - "Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:"

Ruth 2:8 - "Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:"

Ruth 2:21 - "And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest."

Ruth 2:21 - "And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest."

Ruth 3:17 - "And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law."

Ruth 3:17 - "And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law."

Ruth 1:17 - "Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."

Ruth 1:17 - "Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."

Ruth 4:17 - "And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David."

Ruth 4:17 - "And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David."

Ruth 2:3 – "So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters."

Ruth 2:3 – "So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters."

Ruth 2:15 - "And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:"

Ruth 2:15 - "And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:"

Ruth 2:5 - "Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?"

Ruth 2:5 - "Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?"

Ruth 1:16-17 - "But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.""

Ruth 1:16-17 - "But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.""

"And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field." - Ruth 2:22

"And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field." - Ruth 2:22

"And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:" - Ruth 2:15

"And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:" - Ruth 2:15

Ruth 4:2 - "And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down."

Ruth 4:2 - "And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down."

Ruth 2:1 - "And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz."

Ruth 2:1 - "And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz."

Ruth 2:6 - "And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:"

Ruth 2:6 - "And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:"

Ruth 3:2 - "And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor."

Ruth 3:2 - "And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor."

Ruth 2:16 - "And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not."

Ruth 2:16 - "And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not."

Ruth 2:4 - "¶ 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."

Ruth 2:4 - "¶ 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."

Ruth 2:23 - "So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law."

Ruth 2:23 - "So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law."

"And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David." - Ruth 4:17

"And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David." - Ruth 4:17

Ruth 2:12 - "The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."

Ruth 2:12 - "The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."

Ruth 2:3 - "And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech."

Ruth 2:3 - "And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech."

"Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:" - Ruth 2:8

"Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:" - Ruth 2:8

"And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest." - Ruth 2:21

"And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest." - Ruth 2:21

"The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust." - Ruth 2:12

"The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust." - Ruth 2:12

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter." - Ruth 2:2

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter." - Ruth 2:2

Ruth 1:2 - "And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there."

Ruth 1:2 - "And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there."