Bible Strands
Ruth 2:16
Rather, pull out for her some stalks from the bundles and leave them for her to gather. Do not rebuke her.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Boaz directs his young men to assist Ruth while she gleans in his barley field. He commands them to deliberately leave stalks for her collection and explicitly forbids them from rebuking or insulting her.
The words — The Hebrew verbs תָּשֹׁלּוּ (ta.sho.lu) and עֲזַבְתֶּם (a.zav.tem) command the workers to “pull out” stalks and “leave” them for Ruth to glean. These terms denote active removal and intentional abandonment rather than passive oversight.
The thread — The text operationalizes the harvest provision of Deuteronomy 24:19, which mandates leaving forgotten sheaves for the foreigner. This pattern of deliberate provision for the vulnerable establishes the practical framework later cited in Romans 12:13 and 1 John 3:17.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to replace minimal compliance with deliberate, unmonitored generosity. It demands that economic advantage be used to remove barriers for the dependent while actively suppressing the impulse to judge their circumstances.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 24:19 If you are harvesting in your field and forget a sheaf there, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
- Romans 12:13 Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
- 1 John 3:17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
- Psalms 112:9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
- Proverbs 19:17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
- Matthew 25:40 And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
- Philemon 1:7 I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
- Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- 2 Corinthians 8:5 And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, through the will of God.