CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ruth 2:5 And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "Whose young woman is this?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ruth/2-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/08_Rut_02_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ruth 2:5 - Boaz Meets Ruth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, Whose young woman is this?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ruth/2-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ruth/2-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ruth/">Ruth</a> > <a href="/ruth/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ruth/2-4.htm" title="Ruth 2:4">◄</a> Ruth 2:5 <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm" title="Ruth 2:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ruth/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ruth/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, &#8220Who does that young woman belong to?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ruth/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ruth/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ruth/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ruth/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel <i>is</i> this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ruth/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman <i>is</i> this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ruth/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ruth/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, &#8220Whose young woman is this?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ruth/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ruth/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ruth/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ruth/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Boaz asked his servant who was in charge of the harvesters, “Whose young woman is this? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ruth/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Boaz asked his servant who was in charge of the harvesters, &#8220Whose young woman is this?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ruth/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ruth/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then Boaz asked the man in charge of the harvest workers, "Who is that young woman?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ruth/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? r<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ruth/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Boaz asked the young man in charge of his reapers, "Who is this young woman?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ruth/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Boaz asked the man in charge, "Who is that young woman?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ruth/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />At this point, Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "To whom does this young woman belong?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ruth/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ruth/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Boaz asked his servant in charge of the harvesters, "To whom does this young woman belong?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ruth/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, "Whose young woman is this?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ruth/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then said Boaz to his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ruth/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, “Whose young lady is this?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ruth/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Boaz says to his young man who is set over the reapers, “Whose [is] this young person?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ruth/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Boaz saith to his young man who is set over the reapers, 'Whose is this young person?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ruth/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Boaz will say to his young man set over the reapers, To whom this maiden?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ruth/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Booz said to the young man that was set over the reapers: Whose maid is this? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ruth/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Boaz said to the young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ruth/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Boaz asked the young man overseeing his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ruth/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “To whom does this young woman belong?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ruth/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Boaz said to the young man who was in charge of the reapers, Whose damsel is this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ruth/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Boaz said to the boy who was standing by the laborers: “What is the story of this girl?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ruth/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers: 'Whose damsel is this?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ruth/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Booz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, Whose <i>is</i> this damsel?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ruth/2-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LT1nlCXT1mU?start=276" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ruth/2.htm">Boaz Meets Ruth</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, “The LORD be with you.” “The LORD bless you,” they replied. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1162.htm" title="1162: bō·‘az (N-proper-ms) -- From an unused root of uncertain meaning; Boaz, the ancestor of David; also the name of a pillar in front of the temple.">And Boaz</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asked</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: lə·na·‘ă·rōw (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">the foreman</a> <a href="/hebrew/5324.htm" title="5324: han·niṣ·ṣāḇ (Art:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To take one's stand, stand. A prim root; to station, in various applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">of</a> <a href="/hebrew/7114.htm" title="7114: haq·qō·wṣ·rîm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To dock off, curtail, to harvest. A primitive root; to dock off, i.e. Curtail; especially to harvest.">his harvesters,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: lə·mî (Prep-l:: Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“Whose</a> <a href="/hebrew/5291.htm" title="5291: han·na·‘ă·rāh (Art:: N-fs) -- A girl, maiden. Feminine of na'ar; a girl.">young woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: haz·zōṯ (Art:: Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">is this?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>The foreman answered, “She is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/1-16.htm">Ruth 1:16</a></span><br />But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/4-13.htm">Ruth 4:13</a></span><br />So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-12.htm">Genesis 24:12-14</a></span><br />“O LORD, God of my master Abraham,” he prayed, “please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. / Here I am, standing beside the spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. / Now may it happen that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-5.htm">Genesis 29:5-6</a></span><br />“Do you know Laban the grandson of Nahor?” Jacob asked. “We know him,” they replied. / “Is he well?” Jacob inquired. “Yes,” they answered, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with his sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-19.htm">Exodus 2:19-20</a></span><br />“An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds,” they replied. “He even drew water for us and watered the flock.” / “So where is he?” their father asked. “Why did you leave the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55-58</a></span><br />As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.” / “Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king. / So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-5.htm">1 Samuel 25:5-8</a></span><br />So David sent ten young men and instructed them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel. Greet him in my name / and say to him, ‘Long life to you, and peace to you and to your house and to all that belongs to you. / Now I hear that it is time for shearing. When your shepherds were with us, we did not harass them, and nothing of theirs was missing the whole time they were in Carmel. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/9-1.htm">2 Samuel 9:1-3</a></span><br />Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?” / And there was a servant of the house of Saul named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king inquired, “Are you Ziba?” “I am your servant,” he replied. / So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I can show the kindness of God?” Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">2 Kings 4:8-10</a></span><br />One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat. / Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. / Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10-31</a></span><br />A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Matthew 1:5</a></span><br />Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-1.htm">Matthew 20:1-16</a></span><br />“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. / He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. / About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-33.htm">Luke 10:33-37</a></span><br />But a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, and when he saw him, he had compassion. / He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. / The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-17.htm">Luke 15:17-19</a></span><br />Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death! / I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-7.htm">John 4:7-9</a></span><br />When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” / (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) / “You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then said Boaz to his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ruth/4-21.htm">Ruth 4:21</a></b></br> And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/2-11.htm">1 Chronicles 2:11,12</a></b></br> And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/18-7.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/ruth/2-4.htm">Boaz</a> <a href="/ruth/2-4.htm">Bo'az</a> <a href="/joshua/22-3.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/ruth/2-3.htm">Cutters</a> <a href="/judges/19-3.htm">Damsel</a> <a href="/ruth/2-4.htm">Harvesters</a> <a href="/judges/19-3.htm">Lady</a> <a href="/judges/19-24.htm">Maiden</a> <a href="/ruth/2-4.htm">Reapers</a> <a href="/judges/19-13.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/judges/21-12.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/ruth/2-8.htm">Boaz</a> <a href="/ruth/2-8.htm">Bo'az</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Cutters</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Damsel</a> <a href="/ruth/2-7.htm">Harvesters</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Lady</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Maiden</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Reapers</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Ruth 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/2-1.htm">Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/2-4.htm">Boaz takes notice of her</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/2-8.htm">and shows her great favor</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/2-18.htm">That which she got, she carries to Naomi</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/ruth/2.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>And Boaz asked</b><br />The introduction of Boaz in this verse is significant. His name in Hebrew, "בֹּעַז" (Boaz), means "strength" or "in him is strength." Boaz is a man of standing and wealth, a kinsman-redeemer, which is a central theme in the Book of Ruth. His inquiry shows his attentiveness and leadership, as he takes an active interest in the people working in his fields. This reflects the character of a godly leader who is not detached but is involved and caring towards those under his care.<p><b>the foreman of his harvesters</b><br />The "foreman" or "overseer" in Hebrew is "נַעַר" (na'ar), which can mean a young man or servant. This role was crucial during the harvest, as the foreman managed the workers and ensured the harvest was conducted efficiently. The presence of a foreman indicates the organized and prosperous nature of Boaz's operations. It also highlights the social structure of the time, where landowners like Boaz employed others to manage their affairs, reflecting a well-ordered society.<p><b>Whose young woman is this?</b><br />The phrase "young woman" in Hebrew is "נַעֲרָה" (na'arah), which refers to a young, unmarried woman. Boaz's question is not merely about ownership or possession, but rather about identity and belonging. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, identity was often tied to family and clan. Boaz's inquiry shows his interest in Ruth's background and her place within the community. This question sets the stage for the unfolding of Ruth's account and her integration into the community of Israel. It also foreshadows the role Boaz will play as her protector and redeemer, reflecting the biblical theme of God's providence and care for the marginalized and the foreigner.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ruth/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Boaz said to the young man who was set over the reapers, Whose is that young woman!</span> His eye had been instantaneously arrested by the handsome stranger. Perhaps, as Jarchi remarks, he took note of the modest and graceful carriage of her person while she picked up industriously the straggled stalks. It is too Rabbinic, however, and artificial, finical, bizarre, to suppose with the same Jewish annotator that Boaz would notice with admiration that, while she picked up zealously all available couples of stalks, she left the triplets in the field unappropriated! The question which he put to the overseer is not who but <span class="accented">whose is that young woman!</span> She had not the gait or air of an ordinary pauper, and hence he wondered if she could belong to any of the families in Bethlehem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ruth/2-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And Boaz</span><br /><span class="heb">בֹּ֙עַז֙</span> <span class="translit">(bō·‘az)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1162.htm">Strong's 1162: </a> </span><span class="str2">Boaz -- 'quickness', an ancestor of David, also a pillar before the temple</span><br /><br /><span class="word">asked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the foreman</span><br /><span class="heb">לְנַעֲר֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·na·‘ă·rōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boy, lad, youth, retainer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his harvesters,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקּֽוֹצְרִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qō·wṣ·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7114.htm">Strong's 7114: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dock off, curtail, to harvest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Whose</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">young woman</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנַּעֲרָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(han·na·‘ă·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5291.htm">Strong's 5291: </a> </span><span class="str2">A girl, maiden</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is this?”</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֹּֽאת׃</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ruth/2-5.htm">Ruth 2:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ruth/2-5.htm">Ruth 2:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ruth/2-5.htm">Ruth 2:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ruth/2-5.htm">Ruth 2:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ruth/2-5.htm">Ruth 2:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ruth/2-5.htm">Ruth 2:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ruth/2-5.htm">Ruth 2:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ruth/2-5.htm">Ruth 2:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ruth/2-5.htm">Ruth 2:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ruth/2-5.htm">Ruth 2:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ruth/2-5.htm">OT History: Ruth 2:5 Then said Boaz to his servant who (Ru Rut.)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ruth/2-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ruth 2:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ruth 2:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ruth/2-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ruth 2:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ruth 2:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>