Ruth 2:21 (KJV)

What does Ruth 2:21 mean?

Ruth tells Naomi that Boaz has invited her to stay close to his harvest workers until his entire harvest is finished. His permission gives her a place to continue gleaning beyond the day she has just spent in his field.

The key detail is “my young men.” The Hebrew הַנְּעָרִים (hanne‘arim) means “the young men,” referring here to Boaz’s workers. Earlier, Boaz told Ruth to stay near his young women (Ruth 2:8); Ruth now reports permission to remain with his harvesting crew. Naomi’s next words direct Ruth specifically to accompany his young women (2:22).

The Hebrew behind Ruth 2:21

• “keep fast” — תִּדְבָּקִין (tidbaqin): The verb means to cling, stick close, or remain closely associated with someone. Here, Ruth is to keep close to Boaz’s workers as she gleans. The KJV’s “fast” means firmly or closely, not quickly.

• “ended” — כִּלּוּ (killu); “harvest” — הַקָּצִיר (haqqatsir): The first word means “finished” or “completed”; the second means the harvest or reaping. Together with “all my,” these words extend Boaz’s invitation until his whole harvest is complete. Ruth 2:23 shows the scope: Ruth continues gleaning through both the barley and wheat harvests.

• “Moabitess” — הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּה (hammo’aviyyah): This means “the Moabite woman.” The narrator continues identifying Ruth by her foreign origin even while reporting her welcome into Boaz’s fields. Earlier, Ruth herself called attention to being a foreigner when she asked why Boaz had noticed her (2:10).

Why Ruth 2:21 matters

• Boaz’s permission covers an extended period. “Until they have ended all my harvest” gives Ruth continuing access to gleaning, rather than permission for a single day.

• Staying close to the workers also concerns safety. Boaz has already forbidden the young men to touch Ruth (2:9), and Naomi next explains that remaining in his fields will help keep Ruth from being harmed elsewhere (2:22).