Ruth 2:7 (KJV)

What does Ruth 2:7 mean?

The man overseeing Boaz’s harvesters tells Boaz that Ruth asked permission to gather leftover grain behind the workers. He reports that she has stayed at the task from morning until the time of their conversation, with only a short rest.

The key word is “continued” — עָמַד (amad). Its basic meaning is “stand” or “remain,” but here it describes Ruth staying at her work. The overseer is reporting her persistence, not saying that she stood motionless. His report answers Boaz’s question in the preceding verse about who Ruth is.

The Hebrew behind Ruth 2:7

• “glean” — לָקַט (laqat): To pick up or collect, especially grain left during harvesting. Ruth is asking to collect what remains behind the harvesters. Gleaning was a recognized provision for the poor and foreigners under Israel’s law.

• “gather” — אָסַף (asaph): To gather together or bring into a collection. Paired with “glean,” the word describes Ruth collecting the stalks she picks up into an amount she can carry away.

• “reapers” — קָצַר (qatsar); “sheaves” — עֹמֶר (omer): The reapers are the workers cutting the grain; the sheaves are bundles of cut stalks. “After the reapers among the sheaves” places Ruth’s requested work within the active harvest, behind the cutters and among the bundled grain.

• “tarried” — יָשַׁב (yashav); “little” — מְעַט (me‘at); “house” — בַּיִת (bayit): “Tarried” can mean “sat” or “stayed,” while “little” marks a small amount of time. In this field setting, “house” likely means a shelter used by the workers. The KJV understands the phrase as a brief pause there.

Why Ruth 2:7 matters

• Ruth’s presence in the field is explained through her request. “I pray you, let me glean” is polite language asking permission. The overseer presents her as someone who approached the workers before beginning.

• The report gives Boaz firsthand information about Ruth’s conduct. “From the morning until now” describes what the overseer has observed that day. Alongside her request, her sustained work helps explain Boaz’s following instructions allowing her to remain with his workers.