Ruth 2:5
New International Version
Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?”

New Living Translation
Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?”

English Standard Version
Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

Berean Standard Bible
And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”

King James Bible
Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

New King James Version
Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

New American Standard Bible
Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

NASB 1995
Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

NASB 1977
Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

Amplified Bible
Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

Christian Standard Bible
Boaz asked his servant who was in charge of the harvesters, “Whose young woman is this? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Boaz asked his servant who was in charge of the harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”

American Standard Version
Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

Contemporary English Version
Then Boaz asked the man in charge of the harvest workers, "Who is that young woman?"

English Revised Version
Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? r

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Boaz asked the young man in charge of his reapers, "Who is this young woman?"

Good News Translation
Boaz asked the man in charge, "Who is that young woman?"

International Standard Version
At this point, Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "To whom does this young woman belong?"

Majority Standard Bible
And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”

NET Bible
Boaz asked his servant in charge of the harvesters, "To whom does this young woman belong?"

New Heart English Bible
Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, "Whose young woman is this?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Boaz to his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

World English Bible
Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, “Whose young lady is this?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Boaz says to his young man who is set over the reapers, “Whose [is] this young person?”

Young's Literal Translation
And Boaz saith to his young man who is set over the reapers, 'Whose is this young person?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Boaz will say to his young man set over the reapers, To whom this maiden?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Booz said to the young man that was set over the reapers: Whose maid is this?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Boaz said to the young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

New American Bible
Boaz asked the young man overseeing his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “To whom does this young woman belong?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Boaz said to the young man who was in charge of the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Boaz said to the boy who was standing by the laborers: “What is the story of this girl?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers: 'Whose damsel is this?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Booz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, Whose is this damsel?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Boaz Meets Ruth
4Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, “The LORD be with you.” “The LORD bless you,” they replied. 5And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?” 6The foreman answered, “She is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab.…

Cross References
Ruth 1:16
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.

Ruth 4:13
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.

Genesis 24:12-14
“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.”

Genesis 29:5-6
“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.”

Exodus 2:19-20
“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.”

1 Samuel 17:55-58
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. ...

1 Samuel 25:5-8
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. ...

2 Samuel 9:1-3
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.”

2 Kings 4:8-10
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.”

Proverbs 31:10-31
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. ...

Matthew 1:5
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

Matthew 20:1-16
“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. ...

Luke 10:33-37
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.’ ...

Luke 15:17-19
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.”’

John 4:7-9
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.)


Treasury of Scripture

Then said Boaz to his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

Ruth 4:21
And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,

1 Chronicles 2:11,12
And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz, …

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Authority Boaz Bo'az Charge Cutters Damsel Harvesters Lady Maiden Reapers Servant Young
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Authority Boaz Bo'az Charge Cutters Damsel Harvesters Lady Maiden Reapers Servant Young
Ruth 2
1. Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz
4. Boaz takes notice of her
8. and shows her great favor
18. That which she got, she carries to Naomi














And Boaz asked
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.

the foreman of his harvesters
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.

Whose young woman is this?
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.

Verse 5. - And Boaz said to the young man who was set over the reapers, Whose is that young woman! 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 whose is that young woman! 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Boaz
בֹּ֙עַז֙ (bō·‘az)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1162: Boaz -- 'quickness', an ancestor of David, also a pillar before the temple

asked
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the foreman
לְנַעֲר֔וֹ (lə·na·‘ă·rōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his harvesters,
הַקּֽוֹצְרִ֑ים (haq·qō·wṣ·rîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7114: To dock off, curtail, to harvest

“Whose
לְמִ֖י (lə·mî)
Preposition-l | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

young woman
הַנַּעֲרָ֥ה (han·na·‘ă·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5291: A girl, maiden

is this?”
הַזֹּֽאת׃ (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,


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OT History: Ruth 2:5 Then said Boaz to his servant who (Ru Rut.)
Ruth 2:4
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