John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said , etc.] 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 had not got knowledge of her name, and therefore only describes her by the country from whence she came; and by her coming from thence along with Naomi, when she returned from Moab, with whose name Boaz was well acquainted, and of whose return he had been informed; and perhaps had seen her in person, and even Ruth also, though he might have forgot her; the Targum makes the servant to add, that she was become a proselytess.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-16 - The pious and kind language between Boaz and his reapers shows tha there were godly persons in Israel. Such language as this is seldo heard in our field; too often, on the contrary, what is immoral an corrupt. A stranger would form a very different opinion of our land from that which Ruth would form of Israel from the converse and conduc of Boaz and his reapers. But true religion will teach a man to behav aright in all states and conditions; it will form kind masters an faithful servants, and cause harmony in families. True religion wil cause mutual love and kindness among persons of different ranks. It ha these effects on Boaz and his men. When he came to them he prayed for them. They did not, as soon as he was out of hearing curse him, as some ill-natured servants that hate their master's eye, but they returne his courtesy. Things are likely to go on well where there is suc good-will as this between masters and servants. They expressed their kindness to each other by praying one for another. Boaz inquire concerning the stranger he saw, and ordered her to be well treated Masters must take care, not only that they do no hurt themselves, but that they suffer not their servants and those under them to do wrong Ruth humbly owned herself unworthy of favours, seeing she was born an brought up a heathen. It well becomes us all to think humbly of ourselves, esteeming others better than ourselves. And let us, in the kindness of Boaz to Ruth, note the kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ to poor sinners.
Original Hebrew ויען6030 הנער5288 הנצב5324 על5921 הקוצרים7114 ויאמר559 נערה5291 מואביה4125 היא1931 השׁבה7725 עם5973 נעמי5281 משׂדה7704 מואב׃4124
