Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

RUTH 2:13KJV
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Ruth 2:13 (KJV)

What does Ruth 2:13 mean?

Ruth asks Boaz to continue showing her kindness because his words have comforted her. She speaks with humility: although she does not have the standing of his servant women, he has treated her with personal care.

The key is “spoken friendly.” The Hebrew word behind “friendly” is לֵב (lev), meaning “heart.” The expression means “speak to the heart”: Boaz’s words have reassured Ruth inwardly. Ruth is a foreign widow gleaning in his field, and Boaz has just recognized her loyalty to Naomi and spoken a blessing over her.

The Hebrew behind Ruth 2:13

  • “find favour in thy sight” — מָצָא (matsa), חֵן (chen), עַיִן (ayin): These words mean “find,” “favor,” and “eye.” Together they form a common expression for receiving someone’s favorable regard. “Let me find” is a respectful request for Boaz’s continued kindness, following the kindness he has already shown.

  • “my lord” — אָדוֹן (adon): This means “lord” or “master,” a respectful title for someone with authority. Ruth addresses Boaz as the landowner who can protect her and permit her to glean.

  • “comforted” — נָחַם (nacham): Here the verb means to comfort or console. Ruth says Boaz’s words have already brought her reassurance; her request rests on something he has actually done.

  • “handmaid” and “handmaidens” — שִׁפְחָה (shifchah): This word means a female servant. Ruth calls herself “thine handmaid” as a humble way of addressing Boaz, then says she is not like one of his servant women. Using the same word twice highlights the gap between her deferential self-description and her actual place as an outsider.

Why Ruth 2:13 matters

  • Boaz’s words matter alongside his practical help. He has offered Ruth protection and access to his field, but Ruth specifically thanks him because he has “comforted” her through what he said.

  • Ruth receives kindness without claiming a servant’s standing. “Though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens” makes her position clear: she is gleaning in Boaz’s field, not serving as a member of his household.

Where else these words appear

“handmaid” Hebrew H8198 · used in 58 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Genesis 32:5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
  • 2 Samuel 14:15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.

“favour” Hebrew H2580 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
  • Numbers 11:11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
  • Esther 8:5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:

“comforted” Hebrew H5162 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 5:29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
  • Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
  • Jeremiah 18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.