Ruth / Question
Naomi identified Boaz as a close relative, calling him “one of our redeemers.” In the story, this means he is part of the family line with a recognized role in helping. Naomi’s identification is in Ruth 2:19–20.
Back home, Naomi presses Ruth for details about where she gleaned and who noticed her. When Ruth names Boaz, Naomi immediately blesses him and recognizes him as a family connection who can help them. Ruth reports Boaz’s invitation to stay close to his workers through the whole harvest. This scene closes the second chapter, turning Ruth’s day of gleaning into a discovery that moves the plot forward. Earlier, Ruth “happened” to glean in Boaz’s field (2:3), and Boaz showed unusual attention and protection.
This passage shows Naomi moving from uncertainty to recognition. She asks where Ruth gleaned, blesses the person who noticed her, and then reacts strongly when Ruth names Boaz (verses 19–20). The text presents Boaz’s help as more than a one-time kindness: Naomi links it to ongoing “kindness” that reaches beyond the immediate moment (verse 20).
A common mistake is to turn the wording into a slogan. The better reading keeps the phrase tied to the passage, the speaker, and the problem the book is addressing.
Start with Ruth 2:19-20, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
19Her mother-in-law said to her, Where have you gleaned today? and where have you worked? blessed be he who did take knowledge of you. She showed her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, The man`s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.
20Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, Blessed be he of Yahweh, who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. Naomi said to her, The man is a close relative to us, one of our near kinsmen.