New International VersionMay the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
New Living TranslationMay the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”
English Standard VersionThe LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”
Berean Standard BibleMay the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.”
King James BibleThe 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.
New King James VersionThe LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”
New American Standard BibleMay the LORD reward your work, and may your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
NASB 1995“May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”
NASB 1977“May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”
Legacy Standard BibleMay Yahweh fully repay your work, and may your wages be full from Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”
Amplified BibleMay the LORD repay you for your kindness, and may your reward be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
Christian Standard BibleMay the LORD reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleMay the LORD reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge."”
American Standard VersionJehovah recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of Jehovah, the God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to take refuge.
Contemporary English VersionI pray that the LORD God of Israel will reward you for what you have done. And now that you have come to him for protection, I pray that he will bless you."
English Revised VersionThe LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to take refuge.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationMay the LORD reward you for what you have done! May you receive a rich reward from the LORD God of Israel, under whose protection you have come for shelter."
Good News TranslationMay the LORD reward you for what you have done. May you have a full reward from the LORD God of Israel, to whom you have come for protection!"
International Standard VersionMay the LORD repay you for your work, and may a full reward be given you from the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge."
NET BibleMay the LORD reward your efforts! May your acts of kindness be repaid fully by the LORD God of Israel, from whom you have sought protection!"
New Heart English BibleMay the LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
Webster's Bible TranslationThe LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou hast come to trust. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMay the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.”
World English BibleMay Yahweh repay your work, and a full reward be given to you from Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYHWH repays your work, and your reward is complete from YHWH, God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
Young's Literal Translation Jehovah doth recompense thy work, and thy reward is complete from Jehovah, God of Israel, under whose wings thou hast come to take refuge.'
Smith's Literal TranslationJehovah will recompense thy work, and thy reward shall be complete from Jehovah God of Israel, because thou camest to trust under his wings. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe Lord render unto thee for thy work, and mayest thou receive a full reward of the Lord the God of Israel, to whom thou art come, and under whose wings thou art fled.
Catholic Public Domain VersionMay the Lord repay you for your work, and may you receive a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you have come, and under whose wings you have taken refuge.”
New American BibleMay the LORD reward what you have done! May you receive a full reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”
New Revised Standard VersionMay the LORD reward you for your deeds, and may you have a full reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleMay the LORD God of Israel reward you, and may the One under whose wings you have come to take shelter recompense you.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedLORD JEHOVAH The God of Israel shall reward you, and he shall give your wages, he under whose wings you have come to take refuge” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The LORD recompense thy work, and be thy reward complete from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to take refuge.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationThe Lord recompense thy work; may a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, to whom thou hast come to trust under his wings.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Boaz Meets Ruth… 11Boaz replied, “I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth, and how you came to a people you did not know before. 12May the LORDrepayyour work,and may you receivea richrewardfromthe LORD,the Godof Israel,underwhosewingsyou have takenrefuge.”13“My lord,” she said, “may I continue to find favor in your eyes, for you have comforted and spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your servant girls.”…
Cross References Psalm 91:4He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.
Psalm 17:8Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings
Psalm 36:7How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
Psalm 57:1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
Psalm 63:7For You are my help; I will sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.
Psalm 84:11For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.
Psalm 34:22The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Psalm 37:3-5Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. / Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. / Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.
Psalm 37:40The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Isaiah 40:31But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 49:23Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. / He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.
Matthew 5:12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
Matthew 6:33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
Treasury of Scripture The LORD recompense your work, and a full reward be given you of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you are come to trust. recompense 1 Samuel 24:19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. Psalm 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned:and in keeping of themthere is great reward. Psalm 58:11 So that a man shall say, Verilythere is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. wings Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee,or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy peopleshall be my people, and thy God my God: Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, Psalm 36:7 How excellentis thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. Jump to Previous CompleteCoverIsraelRecompenseRefugeRepayRewardRewardedRichlySeekTrustWagesWingsWorkJump to Next CompleteCoverIsraelRecompenseRefugeRepayRewardRewardedRichlySeekTrustWagesWingsWorkRuth 2 1.Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz4.Boaz takes notice of her8.and shows her great favor18.That which she got, she carries to NaomiMay the LORD repay your workThis phrase acknowledges the principle of divine recompense, where God rewards the faithful actions of individuals. In the context of Ruth, her loyalty and dedication to Naomi are seen as acts worthy of divine blessing. This reflects the broader biblical theme found in passages like Proverbs 19:17, which speaks of God repaying those who are kind to the poor. The idea of God repaying work is also echoed in the New Testament, such as in Colossians 3:23-24, where believers are encouraged to work heartily as for the Lord, knowing they will receive an inheritance from Him. and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD
The concept of a "rich reward" emphasizes the abundance of God's blessings. In the historical context, Ruth, a Moabite, is being assured of God's favor despite her foreign status. This reflects the inclusive nature of God's grace, as seen in other scriptures likeIsaiah 56:3-8, which speaks of God welcoming foreigners who join themselves to Him. Theologically, this reward can be seen as both material and spiritual, aligning with the biblical principle that God blesses those who seek Him earnestly. the God of Israel
This phrase identifies the specific deity being invoked, distinguishing the God of Israel from the gods of other nations. It underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people, Israel. Ruth's story is set during the time of the Judges, a period marked by Israel's cyclical disobedience and repentance. Her inclusion in the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus (Matthew 1:5) highlights God's sovereign plan and the extension of His covenant blessings to Gentiles. under whose wings you have taken refuge
This metaphor of taking refuge under God's wings is a powerful image of protection and care, reminiscent of a bird sheltering its young. It is a recurring biblical motif, found in passages likePsalm 91:4, which speaks of God's faithfulness as a shield and buckler. In Ruth's case, it signifies her trust in the God of Israel, leaving behind her Moabite heritage. This act of faith is a type of Christ, as Jesus later describes His desire to gather Jerusalem's children as a hen gathers her brood under her wings (Matthew 23:37), symbolizing His protective and nurturing nature. Persons / Places / Events 1. RuthA Moabite widow who demonstrates loyalty and faithfulness by staying with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and seeking refuge under the God of Israel. 2. BoazA wealthy and influential landowner in Bethlehem who shows kindness and protection to Ruth, recognizing her faith and dedication. 3. NaomiRuth's mother-in-law, who returns to Bethlehem from Moab after the death of her husband and sons, accompanied by Ruth. 4. BethlehemThe town in Judah where Naomi and Ruth return, and where Boaz's fields are located. 5. The Lord (Yahweh)The God of Israel, under whose wings Ruth seeks refuge, as acknowledged by Boaz. Teaching Points God's Reward for FaithfulnessRuth 2:12 highlights the principle that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him and live faithfully. Ruth's commitment to Naomi and her trust in God are recognized and blessed by Boaz. Seeking Refuge in GodThe imagery of seeking refuge under God's wings is a powerful reminder of His protection and care. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's provision and shelter in times of need. Kindness and GenerosityBoaz's actions towards Ruth demonstrate the importance of showing kindness and generosity to others, especially those who are vulnerable or in need. Cross-Cultural AcceptanceRuth, a Moabite, is accepted and blessed within the community of Israel, illustrating God's inclusive love and the breaking down of cultural barriers through faith. Divine ProvidenceThe events in Ruth's life show God's providential care and guidance, encouraging believers to trust in His plans even when circumstances seem uncertain. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Ruth 2:12?
2.How does Ruth 2:12 illustrate God's reward for faithfulness and trust in Him?
3.What does "wings" symbolize in Ruth 2:12, and where else is it used?
4.How can we seek refuge under God's wings in our daily lives?
5.In what ways can we encourage others to trust in God's protection?
6.How does Ruth 2:12 connect to God's promises throughout the Old Testament?
7.What does Ruth 2:12 reveal about God's reward for faithfulness and kindness?
8.How does Ruth 2:12 reflect the theme of divine providence in the Book of Ruth?
9.In what ways does Ruth 2:12 challenge our understanding of God's justice and mercy?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ruth 2?
11.How can one find refuge under His wings?
12.What does Ruth reveal about God's character and actions?
13.How can one find refuge under His wings?
14.What lessons does Ruth's story teach about loyalty and faith?What Does Ruth 2:12 Mean May the LORD repay your workBoaz sees Ruth’s selfless devotion to Naomi and speaks a blessing that trusts God to settle accounts. Scripture consistently teaches that God literally notices every act of faithfulness and pays it back in His own perfect way. •Proverbs 19:17 reminds us, “Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.” •Hebrews 6:10 presses the same truth: “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work.” • First Corinthians 15:58 encourages believers that “your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Ruth had left homeland, family, and security (Ruth 2:11), and Boaz’s words underline the certainty that the Lord sees and will repay.
May you receive a rich reward from the LORDThe phrase moves from repayment to abundance. God never gives sparingly to those who seek Him. •Genesis 15:1—God tells Abram, “I am your shield, your very great reward.” •Psalm 58:11—“Surely there is a reward for the righteous.” •Hebrews 11:6—He “rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” In Ruth’s case, the “rich reward” will include daily provision, protection in the fields, a new family, and ultimately a place in the Messianic line (Ruth 4:13-22). The promise is literal and tangible, yet it hints at eternal rewards waiting for every believer who serves faithfully (Matthew 25:21).
The God of IsraelBoaz anchors the blessing in the covenant-keeping God who revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. •Exodus 3:15 identifies Him as “the LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” •Deuteronomy 7:9 calls Him “the faithful God, keeping His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations.” By naming Him “the God of Israel,” Boaz unites Ruth—a Moabite—to the promises given to Israel. Her story proves that God’s family has always had room for outsiders who place their trust in Him (Romans 9:24-26).
Under whose wings you have taken refugeThe image shifts to a mother bird sheltering her young—personal, warm, and protective. •Psalm 36:7—“The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.” •Psalm 91:4—“He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge.” •Matthew 23:37 shows Jesus using the same picture. Ruth’s decision to leave Moab was more than a relocation; it was a conscious act of faith. She chose Israel’s God as her shelter, and Boaz recognizes the spiritual reality behind her practical choices. The promise is not mere poetry—it is a literal assurance of divine covering for those who trust.
summaryBoaz’s blessing inRuth 2:12 unfolds four linked truths: God sees every act of faith, repays it, pours out abundant reward, grounds that reward in His covenant character, and personally shelters all who run to Him. Ruth’s life illustrates that these promises are not abstract; they are concrete realities for every believer who stakes everything on the living God of Israel. (12) Boaz prays that God will recompense Ruth's dutifulness to her mother-in-law, and the more seeing that she herself has put herself under His protection. Faith in Divine help and grace will win an undoubted recompense. Verse 12. - May Yahveh requite thy work, arid may thy recompense be complete fromYahveh God of Israel, to trust under whose wings thou art come. Already there were streaks of light shooting athwart Boaz s horizon. His very phraseology is getting tipped with unwonted beauty. He sees Ruth cowering trustfully under the outstretched wings of Him who is "good to all, and whose tender mercies are over all his works" in all lands (see Psalm 91:1-4). The metaphor, says Fuller, "is borrowed from a hen, which, with her clucking, summons together her straggling chickens, and then outstretcheth the fan of her wings to cover them." "Who would not," says Topsell, "forsake the shadow of all the trees in the world to be covered under 'such' wings?"
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew May the LORDיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelrepayיְשַׁלֵּ֥ם(yə·šal·lêm)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7999:To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocateyour work,פָּעֳלֵ֑ךְ(pā·‘o·lêḵ)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 6467:Doing, deed, workand may you receiveוּתְהִ֨י(ū·ṯə·hî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bea richשְׁלֵמָ֗ה(šə·lê·māh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 8003:Complete, safe, at peacerewardמַשְׂכֻּרְתֵּ֜ךְ(maś·kur·têḵ)Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 4909:Wages, a rewardfromמֵעִ֤ם(mê·‘im)Preposition-m
Strong's 5973:With, equally withthe LORD,יְהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelthe Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י(’ĕ·lō·hê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeof Israel,יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל(yiś·rā·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his descunderתַּֽחַת־(ta·ḥaṯ-)Preposition
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofwhoseאֲשֶׁר־(’ă·šer-)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatwingsכְּנָפָֽיו׃(kə·nā·p̄āw)Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3671:An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacleyou have takenבָּ֖את(bāṯ)Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gorefuge.”לַחֲס֥וֹת(la·ḥă·sō·wṯ)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2620:To flee for, protection, to confide in
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OT History: Ruth 2:12 Yahweh recompense your work and a full (Ru Rut.) |
