PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible — Ruth
Gill, John, 1697-1771 · 22,644 words · 63 reading sections
Ruth 1:1
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Ruth 1:1 INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF RUTH This book is called Ruth, not because she was the author of it, but because she is the principal subject of it. In the Syriac and Arabic versions, it is called the Book of Ruth the Moabitess, which describes her by the country of w…
1,049 wordsSECTION 2Ruth 1:2
Ruth 1:2 Ver. 2. And the name of the man was Elimelech,.... Which signifies "my God is King", as he was King over Israel. In the times of the judges, the government was a theocracy; the judges were raised up immediately by the Lord, and ruled under him; the Targum calls him a great man, and so Jarchi; and it is very l…
387 wordsSECTION 3Ruth 1:3
Ruth 1:3 Ver. 3. And Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died,.... According to Josephus {x}, after he had dwelt in the land ten years, and had married his two sons to Moabitish women; but, as Alshech observes, the text shows that while he was living they were not married to them, but after his death; and it is said of them o…
118 wordsSECTION 4Ruth 1:4
Ruth 1:4 Ver. 4. And they took them wives of the women of Moab,.... Not before they were proselyted to the Jewish religion, as Aben Ezra thinks, and which seems plainly to be the case of Ruth; at least she was so afterwards, if not before; and also of Orpah, as the same writer concludes from Ru 1:15 though others are …
326 wordsSECTION 5Ruth 1:5
Ruth 1:5 Ver. 5. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them,.... As well as their father, in the land of Moab, after they had lived with their wives in it about ten years; the Targum is, "because they transgressed the decree of the Word of the Lord, and joined in affinity with strange people, their days were cut o…
104 wordsSECTION 6Ruth 1:6
Ruth 1:6 Ver. 6. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab,.... After the death of her two sons, and having heard of the ceasing of the famine in Israel, she had a desire to go into her own country, where she would have better opportunities of serving the Lord; and having…
294 wordsSECTION 7Ruth 1:7
Ruth 1:7 Ver. 7. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was,.... What part of Moab she had dwelt in, and now removed from, is not said; it is called the country or field of Moab, she returned from; hence some have thought, that she and her husband, and her sons, did not live in any of the cities of Moab, …
212 wordsSECTION 8Ruth 1:8
Ruth 1:8 Ver. 8. And Naomi said to her two daughters in law,.... When they were come, as it is very probable, to the utmost limits of the land of Moab, and to the borders of the land of Israel: go, return each unto her mother's house: the mother's house is mentioned, and not the father's, not because they had no fath…
243 wordsSECTION 9Ruth 1:9
Ruth 1:9 Ver. 9. The Lord grant you,.... Some make a supplement here, the Targum a perfect reward, Aben Ezra an husband; and so Josephus says {c}, she wished them happier marriages than they had with her sons, who were so soon taken from them; but a supplement seems needless, for what follows is connected with the wis…
208 wordsSECTION 10Ruth 1:10
Ruth 1:10 Ver. 10. And they said unto her,.... When they had eased themselves in cries and tears, and had recovered their speech: surely we will return with thee unto thy people; to be proselyted, as the Targum; not only to dwell with them, but to worship with them.…
50 wordsSECTION 11Ruth 1:11
Ruth 1:11 Ver. 11. And Naomi said, turn again, my daughters,.... Supposing this resolution of theirs only arose from a natural affection, and not from any love to the God or people of Israel; at least doubting whether it was so or not, and willing to try whether anyone, or both of them, were really from a principle of…
361 wordsSECTION 12Ruth 1:12
Ruth 1:12 Ver. 12. Turn again, my daughters, go your way,.... This she repeated still to try their affections to her, and especially whether there was any real love to the God of Israel, his people, and worship, but still proceeds upon the same topic: for I am too old to have an husband; and can never think of marryi…
152 wordsSECTION 13Ruth 1:13
Ruth 1:13 Ver. 13. Would you tarry for them till they were grown?.... It is not to be thought that they would tarry till she was married and had children, and then till these infants were grown up to men's estate, and be marriageable; for though Tamar tarried for Shelah, yet he was born, and of some years of age, thou…
365 wordsSECTION 14Ruth 1:14
Ruth 1:14 Ver. 14. And they lifted up their voice, and wept again,.... Not being able to bear the thought of parting, or that they must be obliged to it: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; gave her the parting kiss, as the Jews {e} call it; and which was used by other people {f}; but not without affection to her, an…
201 wordsSECTION 15Ruth 1:15
Ruth 1:15 Ver. 15. And she said,.... That is, Naomi to Ruth, after Orpah was gone: behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods; meaning Orpah, who was the wife of her husband's brother, as the word used signifies; she was not only on the road turning back to her own country and people, b…
200 wordsSECTION 16Ruth 1:16
Ruth 1:16 Ver. 16. And Ruth said, entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee,.... Do not make use of any arguments to persuade me to go back: or "do not meet me", or "be against me" {h}; do not meet me with objections, or be in my way, or an hinderance to me, in going along with thee; do not …
1,932 wordsSECTION 17Ruth 2:1
Ruth 2:1 INTRODUCTION TO RUTH 2 In this chapter we have an account of Ruth's gleaning corn in the fields of Boaz, a relation of Naomi, Ru 2:1, and of Boaz coming to his reapers, whom he saluted in a very kind manner; and observing a woman gleaning after them, inquired of them who she was, and they informed him, Ru 2:…
523 wordsSECTION 18Ruth 2:2
Ruth 2:2 Ver. 2. And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi,.... After they had been some little time at Bethlehem, and not long; for they came at the beginning of barley harvest, and as yet it was not over, nor perhaps for some time after this; and knowing and considering the circumstances they were in, and unwilling to li…
450 wordsSECTION 19Ruth 2:3
Ruth 2:3 Ver. 3. And she went, and came,.... That is, she went out of the house where she was, and out of the city, and came into the field; though, according to the Midrash {p}, she marked the ways as she went, before she entered into the field, and then came back to the city to observe the marks and signs she made, …
219 wordsSECTION 20Ruth 2:4
Ruth 2:4 Ver. 4. And, behold, Boaz came to Bethlehem,.... Into the field, to see how his workmen went on, and performed their service, and to encourage them in it by his presence, and by his courteous language and behaviour, and to see what provisions were wanting, that he might take care and give orders for the sendi…
320 wordsSECTION 21Ruth 2:5
Ruth 2:5 Ver. 5. Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers,.... To direct them their work, what part each was to do, and to see that they did it well; to take care for provisions for them, and to pay them their wages when their work was done. Josephus {t} calls him agrokomov, that had the care of t…
159 wordsSECTION 22Ruth 2:6
Ruth 2:6 Ver. 6. And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said,.... Who had taken a great deal of notice of Ruth, and had conversed with her, and so was capable of giving answers to his master's question: it is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi, out of the country of Moab; perhaps he ha…
139 wordsSECTION 23Ruth 2:7
Ruth 2:7 Ver. 7. And she said,.... These are the words of the servant continued, who goes on with the account of Ruth, and her conduct, since she had been in the field: I pray you let me glean, and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: for though by the law of Israel she had a right, as a poor widow and strange…
398 wordsSECTION 24Ruth 2:8
Ruth 2:8 Ver. 8. Then said Boaz unto Ruth,.... Having heard what the servant said concerning her, he turned himself to her, and addressed her in the following manner: hearest thou not, my daughter? meaning not what the servant had said, but hereby exciting her to hearken to what he was about to say to her. Noldius {w…
354 wordsSECTION 25Ruth 2:9
Ruth 2:9 Ver. 9. Let thine eyes be upon the field that they do reap, and go thou after them,.... And gather up the loose ears of corn dropped and left by them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? do her no hurt, or offer any incivility or rudeness to her, or even play any wanton tricks wi…
227 wordsSECTION 26Ruth 2:10
Ruth 2:10 Ver. 10. Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,.... In great humility, and under a deep sense of the favour done her, and as showing the greatest respect, in a civil manner, she was capable of: and said unto him, why have I found grace in thine eyes: how is it that one so mean and unwor…
142 wordsSECTION 27Ruth 2:11
Ruth 2:11 Ver. 11. And Boaz answered and said unto her,.... Alshech thinks, that he lift up his voice that all that stood by might hear: it hath fully been showed me; either by Naomi, or rather by some persons of Boaz's Naomi and reacquaintance, that had conversed with Naomi and related to Boaz what passed between th…
296 wordsSECTION 28Ruth 2:12
Ruth 2:12 Ver. 12. The Lord recompence thy work,.... The Targum adds, in this world; meaning the kind offices she had performed, and the good service she had done to her mother-in-law; nor is God unrighteous to forget the work and labour of love, which is shown by children to their parents; and though such works are n…
286 wordsSECTION 29Ruth 2:13
Ruth 2:13 Ver. 13. Then she said, let me find favour in thy sight, my lord,.... Or rather, since she had found favour in his sight already: the words are to be considered, not as a wish for it, but as acknowledging it, and expressing her faith and confidence, that she should for time to come find favour in his sight, …
204 wordsSECTION 30Ruth 2:14
Ruth 2:14 Ver. 14. And Boaz said, at mealtime come thou hither,.... This looks as if she was now in the booth, or house in the field, where the reapers used to retire to eat their food, or rest themselves, or take shelter from the heat of the sun. This meal was very likely dinner, the time of which was not yet come, b…
2,736 wordsSECTION 31Ruth 3:1
Ruth 3:1 INTRODUCTION TO RUTH 3 In this chapter we have a proposal of Naomi to Ruth, with advice and directions to get Boaz for her husband, Ru 2:1. Ruth's obedience to the instructions she gave her, Ru 2:5, the notice Boaz took of her, and the conversation that passed between them, Ru 2:8 the dismission of her in th…
284 wordsSECTION 32Ruth 3:2
Ruth 3:2 Ver. 2. And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast?.... He was, and her question supposes and concludes it, and which she observes, that Ruth might take notice of it, and encouragement from it; and the rather, since she had been admitted into the company and conversation of his maidens; …
403 wordsSECTION 33Ruth 3:3
Ruth 3:3 Ver. 3. Wash thyself, therefore,.... Thy flesh, as Ben Melech, that she might appear clean and neat, and free from all spots, and every thing that might occasion a disagreeable aspect, or an ill scent, and so be acceptable to the man proposed: and anoint thee; not with aromatic ointments, as great personages…
329 wordsSECTION 34Ruth 3:4
Ruth 3:4 Ver. 4. And it shall be, when he lieth down,.... On the threshingfloor, under the open air, in order to sleep, and take rest: that thou shall mark the place where he shall lie; the spot he shall lie on, and the direction in which he shall lie, whether east, west, &c. that when the light shall be taken away, …
454 wordsSECTION 35Ruth 3:5
Ruth 3:5 Ver. 5. And she said unto her,.... Having the highest opinion of her piety and prudence, and being confident she would never advise her to what was contrary to true religion and virtue: all that thou sayest unto me I will do; observe every instruction and direction she gave her, and attend strictly to every …
122 wordsSECTION 36Ruth 3:6
Ruth 3:6 Ver. 6. And she went down unto the floor,.... From the city of Bethlehem, from her mother-in-law's house there, to the threshingfloor of Boaz, which was at some distance from it, and lower: and did according to all that her mother in law bade her; both before she went, and after: she washed and anointed hers…
100 wordsSECTION 37Ruth 3:7
Ruth 3:7 Ver. 7. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry,.... Having ate and drank freely, though not to excess; and innocent mirth was always allowed in the time of harvest, and of the vintage, and of gathering the fruits of the earth, see Jud 9:27 or "his heart was good"; he was in a good frame an…
361 wordsSECTION 38Ruth 3:8
Ruth 3:8 Ver. 8. And it came to pass at midnight,.... So long Boaz slept without knowledge of any person being at his feet, and so long Ruth had lain there; but awaking, and perceiving something at his feet, which pressed them, it made him look about and feel, and so affected him, that the man was afraid; though a ma…
201 wordsSECTION 39Ruth 3:9
Ruth 3:9 Ver. 9. And he said, who art thou?.... He spoke quick and short, as one displeased, or however surprised and frightened, just coming out of sleep, and in the night: and she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid; that had gleaned in his fields with his maidens, and with whom he had conversed there, and knew her …
325 wordsSECTION 40Ruth 3:10
Ruth 3:10 Ver. 10. And he said, blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter,.... Instead of calling her an immodest woman for laying herself down at his feet, and a bold impudent woman, she being poor, to ask marriage of him; and instead of being angry with her, and chiding and reproving her for disturbing and frightenin…
390 wordsSECTION 41Ruth 3:11
Ruth 3:11 Ver. 11. And now, my daughter, fear not,.... Either of being forced and defiled, to which he had exposed herself by lying down at a man's feet, or of being reproached as an immodest woman for so doing, or of being despised as a poor woman, and of not succeeding in her suit and enterprise: and I will do to t…
267 wordsSECTION 42Ruth 3:12
Ruth 3:12 Ver. 12. And now it is true, that I am thy near kinsman,.... Her husband and he being brothers' sons, so own cousins: howbeit, there is a kinsman nearer than I, who was, the Jews say {w}, the brother of her husband's father, and so his uncle, which was a nearer relation than an own cousin. {w} Midrash Ruth…
71 wordsSECTION 43Ruth 3:13
Ruth 3:13 Ver. 13. Tarry this day,.... Or lodge here tonight, where she was; this he said not from any design upon her, but for her own safety and honour, that she might not be exposed to danger or disgrace, by returning home at such an unseasonable time of night. The first letter in the word for "tarry" is larger tha…
509 wordsSECTION 44Ruth 3:14
Ruth 3:14 Ver. 14. And she lay at his feet until the morning,.... In the same place where she first lay herself down: and she rose up before one could know another, because of the darkness, as the Targum, it not being yet break of day: and he said, let it not be known that a woman came into the floor, to whom he spo…
273 wordsSECTION 45Ruth 3:15
Ruth 3:15 Ver. 15. Also he said,.... Which seems to confirm the first sense, that what he had said before was to Ruth, beside which he also said to her what follows: bring the vail which thou hast upon thee, and hold it; by which it appears that he rose also thus early, since he ordered her to bring her vail to him, …
327 wordsSECTION 46Ruth 3:16
Ruth 3:16 Ver. 16. And when she came to her mother in law,.... To Naomi, in Bethlehem: she said, who art thou, my daughter? it being near dusk, she could not discern her, or perhaps she put the question before she opened the door and saw her; though one would think, if Ruth had called to her, she would have known her…
194 wordsSECTION 47Ruth 3:17
Ruth 3:17 Ver. 17. And she said, these six measures of barley gave he me,.... Which she laid down before her, which was a proof of his kindness to her, that she was acceptable to him, and had well sped; of these six measures, see Ru 3:15 which by some are allegorically interpreted of six blessings that should be besto…
143 wordsSECTION 48Ruth 3:18
Ruth 3:18 Ver. 18. Then, said she, sit still, my daughter,.... Keep at home, say nothing of this affair to any person, be easy about it, take no other steps in it, wait the issue of it:until thou know how the matter will fall; not that she thought it was a chance matter, a fortuitous and contingent event with respect …
206 wordsSECTION 49Ruth 4:1
Ruth 4:1 INTRODUCTION TO RUTH 4 This chapter relates how an offer was made to the nearest kinsman of Ruth to redeem her, and the field her husband left, which he refused to do, Ru 4:1, upon which Boaz redeemed both, and married Ruth before the elders of the city as witnesses, and who congratulated him and her on that…
539 wordsSECTION 50Ruth 4:2
Ruth 4:2 Ver. 2. And he took ten men of the elders of the city,.... Who were such, not merely in age but in office, who were the heads of thousands, fifties, and tens; ten of whom were a quorum to do business in judiciary affairs, to determine such matters as Boaz had propose, as to whom the right of redemption of a b…
154 wordsSECTION 51Ruth 4:3
Ruth 4:3 Ver. 3. And he said unto the kinsman,.... That is, Boaz said to the kinsman he called to, and who sat down by him before the ten elders that were present: Naomi, that is come again out of the land of Moab, selleth a parcel of land; meaning, that she was determined upon it, and was about to do it, and would d…
184 wordsSECTION 52Ruth 4:4
Ruth 4:4 Ver. 4. And I thought to advertise thee,.... To give him notice of it; or "I said" {g}; he said in his heart and mind, purposing to do it; or he said it to Ruth, promising her that he would do it: saying, buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people; or before those that sat there, even …
239 wordsSECTION 53Ruth 4:5
Ruth 4:5 Ver. 5. Then said Boaz,.... In order to try the kinsman, whether he would abide by his resolution, he acquaints him with what he had as yet concealed: what day thou buyest the field of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead; the wife of Mahlon, who was dead, the eldest son o…
214 wordsSECTION 54Ruth 4:6
Ruth 4:6 Ver. 6. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself,.... On such a condition, because he had a wife, as the Targum suggests; and to take another would, as that intimates, tend to introduce contention into his family, and make him uncomfortable; so Josephus says {h}, he had a wife and children, for tha…
215 wordsSECTION 55Ruth 4:7
Ruth 4:7 Ver. 7. Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming,.... It is a custom, and not a law, that seems here referred to, when an estate was bought and sold; not the law in Le 25:25, though that respects the redemption of an estate by a near kinsman, yet no such manner was enjoined as her…
416 wordsSECTION 56Ruth 4:8
Ruth 4:8 Ver. 8. And therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, buy it for me,.... Which is repeated to show he gave his full consent to it, that he should make the purchase of it if he pleased, and which he confirmed by the following rite: so he drew off his shoe; thereby signifying that he relinquished his right to the …
265 wordsSECTION 57Ruth 4:9
Ruth 4:9 Ver. 9. And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people,.... Who were present at the gate of the city, or in court: ye are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's; all the land which belonged to him, who was the husband of Naomi, and the father of Ruth's husband, whose estate Bo…
203 wordsSECTION 58Ruth 4:10
Ruth 4:10 Ver. 10. Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife,.... Which was the condition on which the purchase of the land was, that whoever bought that should take her for his wife; nor did Boaz do evil in marrying her, though a Moabitess. Moab was not one of the nations with w…
353 wordsSECTION 59Ruth 4:11
Ruth 4:11 Ver. 11. And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, we are witnesses,.... Both of the purchase of the estate by Boaz being legally made, and of the marriage of Ruth to him, the condition of the bargain: the Lord make the woman that is come into thine house; not into his house, strictly …
358 wordsSECTION 60Ruth 4:12
Ruth 4:12 Ver. 12. And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah,.... Of whose tribe the Bethlehemites were, and were also of the house or family of Pharez, as appears from Ru 4:18, &c. who was born to Judah of Tamar, one of another nation, as Ruth was, and from whom sprung a very numerous …
220 wordsSource & rights
Public domain; John Gill (1697–1771). Source item is marked Public Domain on Internet Archive.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.