So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening.Ruth's dedication and work ethic are highlighted here, as she labors from morning until evening. This reflects the cultural practice of gleaning, where the poor and foreigners were allowed to gather leftover crops from the fields (
Leviticus 19:9-10). Ruth's actions demonstrate her commitment to providing for herself and Naomi, her mother-in-law. The setting is in Bethlehem during the barley harvest, a time of hope and provision after famine. This act of gleaning also foreshadows the provision and protection she will receive from Boaz, a type of Christ, who later becomes her kinsman-redeemer.
And when she beat out what she had gleaned,
The process of beating out the grain involved separating the edible part of the grain from the chaff, a task that required effort and skill. This reflects the agrarian lifestyle of ancient Israel, where such tasks were common. The act of threshing is often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe judgment and purification (Isaiah 41:15-16). Ruth's diligence in this task underscores her resourcefulness and determination, qualities that are rewarded later in the narrative.
it was about an ephah of barley.
An ephah is a unit of measure roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about half a bushel. This substantial amount indicates the abundance of Boaz's field and his generosity, as gleaners typically gathered much less. The provision of an ephah of barley not only meets Ruth and Naomi's immediate needs but also symbolizes God's providence and blessing. This abundance can be seen as a precursor to the greater blessings that come through Ruth's eventual marriage to Boaz, leading to the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ, fulfilling God's redemptive plan.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
RuthA Moabite widow who has shown loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, by staying with her and returning to Bethlehem. Her actions in this verse demonstrate her diligence and work ethic.
2.
Boaz's FieldThe location where Ruth gleans. Boaz is a relative of Naomi's deceased husband and a man of standing in the community. His field becomes a place of provision and protection for Ruth.
3.
GleaningThe act of collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been commercially harvested. This was a provision in the Law of Moses for the poor and foreigners (
Leviticus 19:9-10).
4.
Ephah of BarleyAn ephah is a unit of dry measure used in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about half a bushel. This amount signifies a substantial provision for Ruth and Naomi.
5.
EveningThe time of day when Ruth finishes her work, indicating her dedication and perseverance throughout the day.
Teaching Points
Diligence in WorkRuth's example teaches us the value of hard work and perseverance. She labors from morning until evening, demonstrating commitment and responsibility.
God's ProvisionThrough Ruth's gleaning, we see God's provision for those who trust in Him. He uses ordinary means and people to provide for our needs.
Faithfulness in Small ThingsRuth's faithfulness in the seemingly small task of gleaning leads to greater blessings. We are reminded to be faithful in the tasks God has given us, no matter how insignificant they may seem.
Community SupportThe practice of gleaning reflects a community's responsibility to care for its vulnerable members. We are called to be mindful of and provide for those in need around us.
Trust in God's TimingRuth's account encourages us to trust in God's timing and provision, even when the work is hard and the results are not immediately visible.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ruth 2:17?
2.How does Ruth 2:17 demonstrate diligence and hard work in daily life?
3.What can we learn from Ruth's actions about God's provision and faithfulness?
4.How does Ruth 2:17 connect to Proverbs 31:27 on industriousness?
5.How can Ruth's example inspire us to serve others in our community?
6.What role does perseverance play in achieving goals, as seen in Ruth 2:17?
7.How does Ruth 2:17 illustrate God's provision and care for the faithful?
8.What cultural practices are reflected in Ruth 2:17 regarding gleaning and harvest?
9.How does Ruth's work ethic in Ruth 2:17 challenge modern views on diligence and responsibility?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ruth 2?
11.What foods are mentioned in the Bible?
12.What is the story and significance of the Book of Ruth?
13.Ruth 2:14 – Does the abundant meal provided to Ruth suggest an idealized scenario rather than a factual account of limited agricultural resources?
14.How does the Bible describe famine's impact?What Does Ruth 2:17 Mean
So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening.• Ruth works faithfully from morning light to dusk, showing perseverance that echoesProverbs 31:17, “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”
• Her gleaning relies on God’s gracious provision built into Israel’s law (Leviticus 19:9-10;Deuteronomy 24:19); landowners were to leave behind sheaves for the needy. Boaz’s obedience to this command opens the door for Ruth’s survival and eventual blessing.
• The verse reminds us that ordinary diligence is often God’s chosen channel for extraordinary grace, much like Paul’s call to “work with your own hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) so that our daily labor may win the respect of outsiders.
And when she beat out what she had gleaned,• Beating out (threshing) separates kernels from the stalks—hard, dusty work, yet necessary before bread can be baked.Isaiah 28:28 notes the purposeful, measured nature of threshing; God directs even the rough steps that lead to nourishment.
• Ruth does not delay this step; she finishes the job the same evening, mirroring the diligence urged inColossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”
• In the bigger narrative, each swing of Ruth’s staff foreshadows how God will “beat out” redemption through trials, refining His people for future blessing (Romans 8:28).
it was about an ephah of barley.• An ephah is roughly 30-35 pounds—a remarkable haul for one day’s gleaning. The weight underscores Boaz’s generosity (Ruth 2:15-16) and God’s lavish care, recallingPsalm 23:5, “My cup overflows.”
• Such abundance anticipates the harvest imagery Jesus uses inJohn 6:11-13 when He multiplies bread until every basket brims; God’s supply consistently exceeds mere survival.
• Barley, the first crop of Israel’s agricultural year (Leviticus 23:10-14), hints at firstfruits. Ruth’s ephah is an early sign of larger blessings to come: covenant inclusion, marriage to Boaz, and her place in the lineage of David and ultimately Christ (Matthew 1:5-6).
summaryRuth 2:17 paints a vivid picture of diligent labor met by divine generosity. From dawn to dusk Ruth works within God-ordained means, threshes her gleanings, and ends the day holding an ephah that shouts God’s abundant faithfulness. Her story encourages believers to serve wholeheartedly, trust God’s laws of provision, and expect His overflowing grace to meet—and surpass—every genuine need.
(17)
Beat out.--That is, she threshed it herself, so as to save the labour of carrying away the straw. She then found she had an ephah, that is, rather more than four pecks.
Verse 17. -
And she gleaned in the field until the evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. Gathering together her various sheaves, lots, or bundles (see ver. 7), she threshed them with some suitable rod or simple 'flail' (
flagellum), which she had either brought with her in the morning, as part of her equipment as a gleaner, or had obtained at the hut; or perhaps, like many others, she would make use of a convenient stone. Speaking of the village of Huj, near Gaza, Robinson says, "We found the lazy inhabitants still engaged in treading out the barley harvest, which their neighbors had completed long before.
Several women were beating out with a stick handfuls of the grain which they seemed to have gleaned. One female was grinding with a hand mill, turning the mill with one hand, and occasionally dropping in the grain with the other" ('Researches,' vol. 2. p. 385). "In the evening," says Dr. W. M. Thomson, "you might see some poor woman or maiden, that had been permitted to glean on her own account, sitting by the roadside, and beating out with a stick or a stone what she had gathered, as Ruth did. I have often watched this process in various parts of the country" ('The Land and the, Book,' p. 647). The diligent gleaner on Boaz's field found, after threshing, that she had nearly an ephah of barley. It would be a considerable load for a female to curry - about a bushel. Josephus mentions incidentally, in his ' Antiquities' (15:9, 2), that the Hebrew
cot or
homer was equivalent to ten Attic
me>dimnoi. But as the ephah was exactly the tenth part of a cor or homer, it follows that the Hebrew ephah was equivalent to the Attic
μέδιμνος. Moreover, just as the ephah was the tenth part of a homer, so the omer was the tenth part of an ephah (
Exodus 16:36); and thus, if an omer of barley would be somewhat equivalent for nutritive purposes to an omer of manna, it would be a sufficient daily allowance for a man (see
Exodus 16:16). Hence Ruth would take home with her what would suffice for several days' sustenance to Naomi and herself.
CHAPTER 2:18-23.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
So Ruth gathered grainוַתְּלַקֵּ֥ט(wat·tə·laq·qêṭ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3950:To pick up, to gather, to gleanin the fieldבַּשָּׂדֶ֖ה(baś·śā·ḏeh)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704:Field, landuntilעַד־(‘aḏ-)Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, whileevening.הָעָ֑רֶב(hā·‘ā·reḇ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153:EveningAnd when she beat outוַתַּחְבֹּט֙(wat·taḥ·bōṭ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2251:To beat off, beat outwhatאֲשֶׁר־(’ă·šer-)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatshe had gleaned,לִקֵּ֔טָה(liq·qê·ṭāh)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3950:To pick up, to gather, to gleanit wasוַיְהִ֖י(way·hî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, beabout an ephahכְּאֵיפָ֥ה(kə·’ê·p̄āh)Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 374:Ephah -- an ephah (a measure of grain)of barley.שְׂעֹרִֽים׃(śə·‘ō·rîm)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8184:Barley
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OT History: Ruth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until (Ru Rut.) 
