This verse from Ruth 2:17 is packed with information about Ruth's first day of gleaning in Boaz's field. Let's break it down:
"So she gleaned in the field until evening...": This means Ruth spent the entire day collecting leftover stalks of barley in the field after the harvesters had finished. Gleaning was a right given to the poor and widows under Israelite law (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19-22). The fact that she worked until evening indicates her diligence and hard work.
"...and she beat out that which she had gleaned...": After collecting the barley stalks, Ruth threshed them. Threshing involves separating the grain (barley) from the stalk and the husk. She likely did this by beating the stalks with a stick or flail on a hard surface.
"...and it was about an ephah of barley.": This tells us the quantity of barley Ruth collected. An "ephah" was a Hebrew unit of dry measure, roughly equivalent to half a bushel or 20-25 litres. This was a substantial amount for a single day of gleaning. It suggests that Ruth worked very hard and was blessed with a good harvest. It also highlights Boaz's kindness, as the reapers had likely left a fair amount of grain for her to glean, on his instructions.
In Summary: The verse describes Ruth's hard work and success in gleaning a significant amount of barley, highlighting her industriousness and the unexpected blessing she received on her first day in Boaz's field. It also subtly hints at the provision she will bring home for herself and Naomi, foreshadowing the positive change that is coming into their lives.
This verse from Ruth 2:17 is packed with information about Ruth's first day of gleaning in Boaz's field. Let's break it down:
"So she gleaned in the field until evening...": This means Ruth spent the entire day collecting leftover stalks of barley in the field after the harvesters had finished. Gleaning was a right given to the poor and widows under Israelite law (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19-22). The fact that she worked until evening indicates her diligence and hard work.
"...and she beat out that which she had gleaned...": After collecting the barley stalks, Ruth threshed them. Threshing involves separating the grain (barley) from the stalk and the husk. She likely did this by beating the stalks with a stick or flail on a hard surface.
"...and it was about an ephah of barley.": This tells us the quantity of barley Ruth collected. An "ephah" was a Hebrew unit of dry measure, roughly equivalent to half a bushel or 20-25 litres. This was a substantial amount for a single day of gleaning. It suggests that Ruth worked very hard and was blessed with a good harvest. It also highlights Boaz's kindness, as the reapers had likely left a fair amount of grain for her to glean, on his instructions.
In Summary: The verse describes Ruth's hard work and success in gleaning a significant amount of barley, highlighting her industriousness and the unexpected blessing she received on her first day in Boaz's field. It also subtly hints at the provision she will bring home for herself and Naomi, foreshadowing the positive change that is coming into their lives.