Bible Strands
Ruth 2:4
Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, “The LORD be with you.” “The LORD bless you,” they replied.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Boaz arrives from Bethlehem and greets the harvesters in his field, who respond with a reciprocal blessing.
The words — The greeting centers on יְהוָה (Yahweh) and the implied verb of blessing, framing the encounter as a covenantal exchange rather than a mere social courtesy.
The thread — This exchange echoes the divine presence formula found in Judges 6:12 and Luke 1:28, while the agricultural context ties to the reaping imagery of Psalms 129:7.
Why it lands — It establishes a pattern of mutual blessing where divine favor is spoken into human labor, requiring the reader to recognize faith as an active, communal practice rather than a private sentiment.
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, behold, Boaz came from Beth–lehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.
Cross-references
- Psalms 129:7 unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.
- Judges 6:12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”
- Luke 1:28 The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
- 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
- 2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
- Psalms 118:26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
- Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
- Joshua 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
- Ruth 4:11 “We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem.
- Psalms 133:1 A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!