Bible Strands
Ruth 2:20
Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Naomi addresses Ruth immediately after Ruth reports gleaning in Boaz’s field (Ruth 2:19), before Ruth relays Boaz’s instruction to remain with his harvest workers (Ruth 2:21).
The words — בָּר֥וּךְ (ba.Rukh) means “[be] blessed,” and לַ/יהוָ֔ה (la./Yah.weh) means “by Yahweh,” forming Naomi’s opening declaration. אֲשֶׁר֙ ('a.Sher) translates as “who,” grammatically attaching the Lord’s unwithdrawn kindness to the living and the dead.
The thread — The text identifies Boaz as a “kinsman-redeemer,” a legal role defined in Leviticus 25:25 for reclaiming family property. That same redemption duty is invoked in Ruth 3:9, where Ruth speaks to Boaz using the garment metaphor to activate it.
Why it lands — The verse records Naomi’s factual assessment of Boaz’s legal status and Yahweh’s sustained provision. It requires the reader to recognize the covenant mechanism that will determine the next steps for both women.
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 Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 2:5 So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead to tell them, “The LORD bless you, because you showed this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him.
- Ruth 3:9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.”
- Leviticus 25:25 If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.
- Deuteronomy 25:5 When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her.
- Ruth 4:14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous in Israel.
- Job 29:12 because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper.
- Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
- Philippians 4:10 Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
- Ruth 4:6 The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.”
- 2 Samuel 9:1 Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”