And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

RUTH 2:16KJV
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Ruth 2:16 (KJV)

What does Ruth 2:16 mean?

Boaz tells his harvest workers to pull some grain out of their gathered bundles deliberately and leave it for Ruth to collect. He also orders them not to scold her for gathering that grain.

The key is the KJV phrase “let fall … of purpose.” Both “fall” and “purpose” represent the Hebrew expression שֹׁל־תָּשֹׁלּוּ (shol tashollu), which repeats the same verb to strengthen the command. The verb here means to draw or pull out. Boaz is arranging for Ruth to find grain that the workers have intentionally pulled loose, beyond what she would ordinarily find left behind during harvesting.

The Hebrew behind Ruth 2:16

  • “handfuls” — הַצְּבָתִים (hatsevatim): These are gathered bunches or bundles of grain stalks. “Handfuls” can sound like loose grain held in a hand, but the reference is to stalks already gathered together. Boaz tells the workers to take some from their collected crop.

  • “leave” — וַעֲזַבְתֶּם (va‘azavtem): The verb means to leave or leave behind. After pulling the stalks loose, the workers are to leave them where Ruth can collect them, rather than gathering them back up.

  • “glean” — וְלִקְּטָה (veliqetah): The verb means to gather or pick up. In this harvest setting, Ruth is collecting stalks left behind by the workers. Boaz’s instruction increases what will be available for her to gather.

  • “rebuke” — תִגְעֲרוּ (tig‘aru): The verb means to rebuke or scold. With “not,” Boaz forbids his workers from speaking harshly to Ruth for collecting the grain he has told them to leave.

Why Ruth 2:16 matters

  • The extra grain is deliberately provided. “Of purpose” means “on purpose”: the workers are to make grain available, rather than simply allow Ruth to find accidental leftovers.

  • Ruth continues gathering the grain herself. Boaz says to “leave them, that she may glean them”; his help comes through instructions governing the harvest work.

  • Boaz controls how the workers treat Ruth as well as what they leave her. “Rebuke her not” ensures that his provision is not undermined by workers scolding her for collecting it.

Where else these words appear

“fall” Hebrew H7997 · used in 12 verses

  • Psalms 76:5 The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
  • Jeremiah 50:10 And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.
  • Ezekiel 38:13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

“rebuke” Hebrew H1605 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 37:10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
  • Psalms 119:21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
  • Nahum 1:4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

“glean” Hebrew H3950 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 31:46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
  • Leviticus 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
  • Ruth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.