And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.
RUTH 2:18KJVWhat does Ruth 2:18 mean?
Ruth 2:18 describes Ruth carrying the grain she had gathered back into the city and showing it to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth then gives Naomi the leftover food she had saved from her own meal after she was full.
Ruth is returning from a day of gleaning in Boaz’s fields, where she collected leftover grain. Naomi, her mother-in-law, sees the results of Ruth’s hard work. The verse highlights Ruth’s thoughtfulness in saving some of her own meal to share with Naomi, showing her care and generosity in a time of need.
The Hebrew behind Ruth 2:18
- "Reserved" (הותיר, hotir) means to leave or keep back. This word shows that Ruth intentionally set aside part of her meal, not just the grain she gleaned, for Naomi.
- "Sufficed" (שָׂבַע, sava‘) means to be satisfied or full. The verse points out that Ruth did not give Naomi leftovers because she was still hungry, but rather after she herself had eaten enough.
Why Ruth 2:18 matters
- This verse shows Ruth’s ongoing loyalty and kindness to Naomi, which is a central theme in the book.
- Ruth’s actions demonstrate practical care, not just words, highlighting the importance of providing for family in difficult times.
- The detail about sharing her meal connects to earlier verses, where Ruth is welcomed and fed by Boaz, and sets up Naomi’s reaction in the following verses.