Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
Keep your eyes on the field where they are harvesting, and follow behind them. I have commanded the young men not to bother you. When you get thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the young men have drawn.
Boaz is kindly offering Ruth protection, permission to glean in his fields, and access to fresh water, showing extraordinary generosity to a foreign widow.
📚 Historical Context
During the time of the Judges in ancient Israel, gleaning was a provision in Mosaic law that allowed the poor and foreigners to collect leftover grain from harvested fields, ensuring care for the vulnerable. In this specific scene from the Book of Ruth, Boaz, a wealthy landowner and relative of Naomi, notices Ruth, a Moabite widow gleaning in his field, and instructs his workers to protect her and provide for her needs, such as access to water. This reflects the cultural norms of Israelite society, where hospitality and protection toward widows and strangers were expected as acts of righteousness.
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