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Ruth 2:23 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַתִּדְבַּ֞ק בְּנַעֲר֥וֹת בֹּ֙עַז֙ לְלַקֵּ֔ט עַד־ כְּל֥וֹת קְצִֽיר־ הַשְּׂעֹרִ֖ים וּקְצִ֣יר הַֽחִטִּ֑ים וַתֵּ֖שֶׁב אֶת־ חֲמוֹתָֽהּ׃

BSASo Ruth stayed closedâbaq [to cling to, to pursue closely] to the servant girlsnaʻărâh [maidens, young women] of BoazBôʻaz [the ancestor of King David] to gleanlâqaṭ [to gather, to pick up] grain untilʻad the barleysᵉʻôrâh [a type of grain, a staple food] and wheatchiṭṭâh [a plant or grain] harvestsqâtsîyr [the time of reaping, the crop itself] were finishedkâlâh [to end, to complete] And she livedyâshab [to dwell, to remain] withʼêth her mother-in-lawchămôwth [the husband's mother, a family relationship]

Word
Listen & take awayRuth 2
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 23 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (cha.mo.Tah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Ruth 2:23quick helps
In a sentenceRuth stayed close to Boaz's servant girls to gather grain until the harvests were complete.
Who is speakingThe narrator describes Ruth's actions and living situation.
Where we areIn the midst of the barley and wheat harvests, Ruth is working and living with her mother-in-law.
The hard wordוַתִּדְבַּ֞ק
Take awayRuth's loyalty and hard work are evident as she gathers grain and lives with her family.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbדָּבַק The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Ruth 2:23

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Harvesting of Ruthgenerated

20Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers. ”
21Then Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also told me, ‘Stay with my young men until they have finished gathering all my harvest.’”
22And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law Ruth, “My daughter, it is good for you to work with his young women, so that nothing will happen to you in another field.”
23So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean grain until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

Ruth 2:23 describes Ruth's commitment to gleaning grain during the harvest season. She stays close to the young women serving Boaz, demonstrating her dedication to providing for herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi. This passage highlights the importance of community and support in times of need, as Ruth navigates her new life in Israel.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 6:6–8Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise.
2Proverbs 13:1–20A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
31 Corinthians 15:33Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
4Ephesians 6:1–3Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.Proverbs 6:6–8 Proverbs 13:1–20 1 Corinthians 15:33 Ephesians 6:1–3

The Key Word וַתִּדְבַּ֞ק, va.tid.Bakgenerated

The verb דָּבַק, transliterated as dabaq, means to cling or cleave. It encompasses actions such as adhering closely, pursuing, and being joined together. In this context, Ruth's choice to stay close signifies her loyalty and determination to support her family.

The Qal form indicates a simple action, showing that Ruth actively chose to remain with the servant girls. This verb captures both physical proximity and emotional attachment, illustrating Ruth's commitment to her new life and responsibilities.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb, וַתִּדְבַּ֞ק, and she stayed, governs the sentence with a series of phrases describing her actions. The structure emphasizes Ruth's ongoing commitment to gleaning and her relationship with her mother-in-law.

The sentence flows from her action of staying close to the servant girls, followed by the purpose of gleaning grain, and concludes with her living situation, highlighting her dedication and the context of the harvest.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַתִּדְבַּ֞ק as προσεκολλήθη, which carries a similar meaning of clinging or adhering closely. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of Ruth's loyalty and commitment.

The translation captures the essence of Ruth's actions, reinforcing the idea of her steadfastness in the face of her new circumstances.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Ruth 2:23 tells us that Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to gather grain until the harvests were complete. She lived with her mother-in-law, showing her dedication to both her work and her family.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that Ruth stayed close to the servant girls?

Ruth's decision to stay close indicates her loyalty and desire to support her family by working hard during the harvest.

Why is gleaning important in this context?

Gleaning allowed Ruth to gather leftover grain, which was crucial for her and Naomi's survival, reflecting the customs of care for the poor in Israel.

What can we learn from Ruth's actions?

Ruth's commitment to her family and her hard work serve as an example of loyalty and perseverance in challenging circumstances.

How does this passage connect to the larger story of Ruth?

This moment highlights the beginning of Ruth's journey in Israel, setting the stage for her eventual role in the lineage of David.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can I demonstrate loyalty and commitment to my family and friends?
  2. How can I support others in my community who may be in need, similar to Ruth's actions?
  3. What challenges do I face that require perseverance, and how can I approach them with determination?
  4. How does Ruth's story inspire me to trust in God's provision during difficult times?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Ruth 2:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean,.... Accepting the kindness of Boaz, and attending to the advice of her mother-in-law, as well as using all diligence to get a livelihood for her

Read John Gill on Ruth 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

Read Robert Jamieson on Ruth 2 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Heb. sat or continued at home, when she had despatched her occasions abroad, and did not wander or gad abroad, after the manner of idle persons and harlots, ,12.

Read Matthew Poole on Ruth 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Rth 2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.Ver. 23. So she kept fast.] According to her mother’ s counsel, which she esteemed as an oracle.

Read John Trapp on Ruth 2 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) And dwelt.—Unspoiled by mixing with her new society, she stops on quietly at the end of her task, and tends her mother-in-law at home with the same fidelity with which she had worked for her abroad. III.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Ruth 2 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 23. And of wheat harvest] That is, she was to continue gleaning in the farm of Boaz to the end of the barley harvest; and then, when the wheat harvest began, to continue to its conclusion in the same way. In the interim, as well as each night, she lodged with her mother-in-law. 1. RUTH seems to have been a woman of a very amiable mind: she was modest, and she was industrious, and most probably a comely woman; and all these things served to attract the attention of Boaz, and to engage his affection. Her attachment also to her mother-in-law could not fail to secure his esteem. All these things worked together in the course of Providence, to bring about a matrimonial connection, which in…

Read AdamClarke on Ruth 2 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

23. wheat harvest] followed two or three weeks later. she dwelt with] Or, with a slight change, she returned unto; so Vulg.

Read Cambridge on Ruth 2 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean grain until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

So she stayed close to the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she lived with her mother-in-law.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean grain until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

NETBNew English Translation2006

So Ruth worked beside Boaz’s female servants, gathering grain until the end of the barley harvest as well as the wheat harvest. After that she stayed home with her mother-in-law.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz, to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.

RVARevised Version, American1894

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother in law.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean to the end of barley-harvest and of wheat-harvest; and dwelt with her mother-in-law.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Then she kept her by the maides of Boaz, to gather vnto the end of barly haruest, and of wheate haruest, and dwelt with her mother in lawe.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

So she kept with the maidens of Boaz to glean, until the end of the barley-harvest and of the wheat-harvest. And she dwelt with her mother-in-law.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And she cleaveth to the young women of Boaz to glean, till the completion of the barley-harvest, and of the wheat-harvest, and she dwelleth with her mother-in-law.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And she cleaves to the young women of Boaz to glean, until the completion of the barley-harvest, and of the wheat-harvest, and she dwells with her mother-in-law.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

So she kept close company with the maidens of Bo'az in gleaning until the end of the barley-harvest and of the wheat-harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

So she stayed close to Boaz's female workers in order to glean to the end of the barley harvest and the wheat harvest. She lived with her mother-in-law.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

So she kept close to the maids of Booz: and continued to glean with them, till all the barley and the wheat were laid up in the barns.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

So Ruth stayed with Boaz's women workers, picking up grain until the end of the barley harvest, and then on to the end of the wheat harvest. She lived with her mother-in-law the whole time.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

So she kept near the servant-girls of Boaz to take up the grain till the cutting of the early grain and the cutting of the late grain were ended; and she went on living with her mother-in-law.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וַandclauseverbתִּדְבַּ֞קshe.stayedprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּwithnoun phraseנַעֲר֥וֹתthe.female.servantsבֹּ֨עַז֙of.Boazprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtoclauseverbלַקֵּ֔טgleanprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַדuntilclauseverbכְּל֥וֹתwas.completenoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseקְצִֽירthe.harvestnoun phraseהַofשְּׂעֹרִ֖יםthe.barley(s)וּandnoun phraseקְצִ֣ירthe.harvestnoun phraseהַֽofחִטִּ֑יםthe.wheat(s)וַandclauseverbתֵּ֖שֶׁבshe.dweltprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶתwithnoun phraseחֲמוֹתָֽmother-in-lawהּher

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely, with 11 out of 13 words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain partial restorations but agree with the core elements of the verse, affirming the consistency of the text across different witnesses.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וַתִּדְבַּ֞ק בְּנַעֲר֥וֹת בֹּ֙עַז֙ לְלַקֵּ֔ט עַד־ כְּל֥וֹת קְצִֽיר־ הַשְּׂעֹרִ֖ים וּקְצִ֣יר הַֽחִטִּ֑ים וַתֵּ֖שֶׁב אֶת־ חֲמוֹתָֽהּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַתִּדְבַּ֞קπροσεκολλήθηבְּנַעֲר֥וֹתκορασίοιςבֹּ֙עַז֙βοοςלְלַקֵּ֔טσυλλέγεινעַד־ἕωςקְצִֽיר־θερισμὸνהַשְּׂעֹרִ֖יםκριθῶνוּקְצִ֣ירκαὶהַֽחִטִּ֑יםπυρῶνוַתֵּ֖שֶׁבἐκάθισενחֲמוֹתָֽהּ׃τῆς

11 of the 13 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 2Q16a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[ותדבק] בנערות בעז ללקוט עד כלות [קציר] [השערים] וקציר החטים ותשב [את] [חמות׳ה]

5 words on the leather — 3 partly restored, 5 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Ruth 2:23דָּבַקand she staand she stayedדָּבַקנַעֲרָהwith [the] with [the] femaנַעֲרָהבֹּ֫עַזBoazBoazבֹּ֫עַזלָקַטto gleanto gleanלָקַטעַדuntiluntilעַדכָּלָהwas completwas completeכָּלָהקָצִיר[the] harve[the] harvest oקָצִירשְׂעֹרָהthe barleythe barleyשְׂעֹרָהקָצִירand [the] hand [the] harveקָצִירחִטָּהthe wheatthe wheatחִטָּהיָשַׁבand she dweand she dweltיָשַׁבאֵתwithwithאֵתחֲמוֹתmother-in-lmother-in-law hחֲמוֹתקָצֵרbe shortbe shortקָצֵרשָׂעַרto shudderto shudderשָׂעַראָנָהto meetto meetאָנָהנַ֫עַרyouthyouthנַ֫עַרעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדחָםfather-in-father-in-lawחָםקָצִירharvestharvestקָצִירקַ֫יִץsummersummerקַ֫יִץחִטָּהwheatwheatחִטָּהכֹּרkorkorכֹּרחֵךְpalatepalateחֵךְלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןאָרַשׂto betrothto betrothאָרַשׂבְּתוּלָהvirginvirginבְּתוּלָהעוֹבֵדObedObedעוֹבֵדרוּתRuthRuthרוּתשִׁבֹּ֫לֶתShibbolethShibbolethשִׁבֹּ֫לֶתמָתַיhowhowמָתַי
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Ruth 2:23

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
וַתִּדְבַּ֞קva.tid.Bak and she stayed H1692 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
54× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To cleave means to cling or stick to something, like pursuing something closely. It's used in the Bible to describe following God or others.
Amplified meaning
to cling to, to pursue closely
Tyndale gloss
to cleave
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּבַק, transliterated as dabaq, is a Hebrew verb meaning to cling or cleave. It encompasses a range of actions such as adhering closely, pursuing, and being joined together. The word appears in various forms, including Qal, Pual, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating different nuances of the action. Notably, it can describe both physical and metaphorical closeness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּבַק, דָּבֵק vb. cling, cleave, keep close

Qal

cling, cleave to

cling, cleave to

Pu. of crocodile’s scales, they are joined together

Hiph.

cause to cling or cleave to

pursue closely

overtake

Hoph. and my tongue is made to cleave (to) my gums

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1692 דָּבַק, דָּבֵק cling, cleave, keep close

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1692 dabaq daw-bak'

a primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere;

figuratively, to catch by pursuit:--abide fast, cleave (fast

together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together),

keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּבַק (da.vaq) — to cleave.

1) to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to cling, cleave to

1a2) to stay with

1b) (Pual) to be joined together

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to cleave to

1c2) to pursue closely

1c3) to overtake

1d) (Hophal) to be made to cleave

Aramaic equivalent: de.vaq (דְּבֵק "to cleave" H1693)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqw3fs
and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
בְּנַעֲר֥וֹתbe.na.'a.Rot with [the] female servants of H5291 Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct
63× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A maiden is a young, unmarried woman, often described as a servant or attendant. In the Bible, it refers to women like the maidens who served in the temple or the young women who were eligible for marriage.
Amplified meaning
maidens, young women
Tyndale gloss
maiden
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נַעֲרָה (*na`arah*) means 'girl' or 'damsel' and refers to a young female from infancy to adolescence. It can also denote a young woman, including terms like maid or female servant. The entries indicate a range of meanings that include marriageable young women and even concubines or prostitutes.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נַעֲרָה n.f. girl, damsel

girl, damsel

of female attendants, maids

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5291 נַעֲרָה girl, damsel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5291 na`arah nah-ar-aw'

feminine of 5288; a girl (from infancy to

adolescence):--damsel, maid(-en), young (woman).

see HEBREW for 05288

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נַעֲרָה (na.a.rah) — maiden.

1) girl, damsel, female servant

1a) girl, damsel, little girl

1a1) of young woman, marriageable young woman, concubine, prostitute

1b) maid, female attendant, female servant

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fp — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct
HR/Ncfpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
בֹּ֙עַז֙bo.'az Boaz H1162 Noun proper masculine
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Boaz was an ancestor of King David and also the name of a pillar in Solomon's temple, symbolizing strength and support. The name means 'fleetness' or 'swiftness'.
Amplified meaning
the ancestor of King David
Tyndale gloss
Boaz
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בֹּ֫עַז (Boaz) refers to a man from the tribe of Judah, known as the kinsman-redeemer of Ruth, and is also the name of a pillar in Solomon's temple. The word may imply 'quickness,' though its exact meaning is uncertain. Boaz is first mentioned in the Book of Ruth and is noted as an ancestor of David.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בֹּ֫עַז n.pr.m. (quickness?)—kinsman of Naomi, who married Ruth

name of the left hand of two pillars set up before temple

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1162 בֹּ֫עַז (quickness?) . kinsman of Naomi, who married Ruth

. name of the left hand of two pillars set up before temple

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1162 Bo`az bo'-az

from an unused root of uncertain meaning; Boaz, the ancestor

of David; also the name of a pillar in front of the

temple:--Boaz.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בֹּ֫עַז (bo.az) — Boaz.

A man of the tribe of Judah living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.2.1;

son of: Salmon (H8007) and Rahab (H7343); married to Ruth (H7327);

father of: Obed (H5744)

Also named: Booz (Βοόζ "Boaz" G1003)

§ Boaz = "fleetness"

1) ancestor of David, kinsman-redeemer to Ruth, daughter-in-law of Naomi

2) name of the left of two brazen pillars, 18 cubits high, erected in the porch of Solomon's temple

בֹּ֫עַז (bo.az) — Boaz.

§ Boaz = "fleetness"

name of the left of two brazen pillars, 18 cubits high, erected in the porch of Solomon's temple

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bo'-az (bo`az; Booz; "quickness" (?) Ru 2-4; 1Ch 2:11,12; Mt 1:5; Lu 3:32):

(1) A resident of Bethlehem and kinsman of Elimelech, Naomi's husband. In Ru 2:1 he is described as a gibbor chayil, a phrase which can mean either "a mighty man of valor" or else "a man of position and wealth." The latter is probably the sense in which the phrase is applied to Boaz (compare 1Sa 9:1). He had fields outside the town, and to them Ru went to glean. Boaz noticed her and extended special kindness and protection to her, bidding her remain with his female workers, and charging the men not to illtreat her, and also giving her of the reapers'…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Boaz

Alacrity. (1.) The husband of Ruth, a wealthy Bethlehemite. By the “levirate law” the duty devolved on him of marrying Ruth the Moabitess (Ruth 4:1-13). He was a kinsman of Mahlon, her first husband.

(2.) The name given (for what reason is unknown) to one of the two (the other was called Jachin) brazen pillars which Solomon erected in the court of the temple (1 Kings 7:21; 2 Chr. 3:17). These pillars were broken up and carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(fleetness). A wealthy Bethlehemite kinsman to Elimelech the husband of Naomi. He married Ruth, and redeemed the estates of her deceased husband Mahlon. (Ruth 4:1) Boaz is mentioned in the genealogy of Christ, (Matthew 1:5) (B.C. 1250, but there is great difficulty in assigning his date.) The name of one of Solomon’s brazen pillars erected in the temple porch. [JACHIN] It stood on the left, and was eighteen cubits high. (1 Kings 7:15; 21; 2 Chronicles 3:15; Jeremiah 52:21)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Ru 2:1, a wealthy Bethlehemite, a descendant of Judah, through whom is traced the regular succession of Jewish kings, Mt 1:5. His conduct in the case of Ruth proves him to have been a man of fine spirit and of strict integrity. He admitted the claim which Ruth had upon him as a near kinsman: under the obligations of the Levitical law, he married the poor gleaner, and thus became one of the ancestors of David, and also of David’s Son and Lord. He was the father of Obed, Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse of David. The whole narrative is a beautiful picture of the simplicity of the age, when artificial courtesies had not usurped the place of natural and sincere expressions of love.

and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
לְלַקֵּ֔טle.la.Ket to glean H3950 Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct common
37× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to gather or pick up, like gleaning leftover crops in a field. It is used in various forms to describe collecting or gathering things.
Amplified meaning
to gather, to pick up
Tyndale gloss
to gather
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לָקַט (laqat) means to pick up or gather, specifically referring to the act of gleaning. It has various forms, including Qal (to gather), Piel (to collect or gather up), and Pual (to be picked up). The entries highlight its use in contexts of gathering, both in agriculture and in collecting money.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[לָקַט] vb. pick or gather up, specif. glean

Qal

pick up, gather

specif. glean

Pi.

gather, gather up

fig. collect (money)

specif. glean

Pu. ye shall be picked up

Hithp. and there collected themselves worthless men unto Jephthah

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3950 לָקַט pick or gather up, specif. glean

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3950 laqat law-kat'

a primitive root; properly, to pick up, i.e. (generally) to

gather; specifically, to glean:--gather (up), glean.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לָקַט (la.qat) — to gather.

1) to pick up, gather, glean, gather up

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to pick up, gather

1a2) to glean

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to gather, gather up

1b2) to collect (money)

1b3) to glean

1c) (Pual) to be picked up

1d) (Hithpael) to collect oneself

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a — Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct common
HR/Vpcc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Glean

The corners of fields were not to be reaped, and the sheaf accidentally left behind was not to be fetched away, according to the law of Moses (Lev. 19:9; 23:22; Deut. 24:21). They were to be left for the poor to glean. Similar laws were given regarding vineyards and oliveyards. (Comp. Ruth 2:2.)

and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
עַד־'ad- until H5704 Preposition
1,261× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Tyndale gloss
till
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while

prep.

of space

Of time

Of degree

conj.

until

While

Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus

of space

Of time

Of degree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

. conj. . until

. While

. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5704 `ad ad

properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or

conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,

or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,

while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,

at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),

(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,

till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַד (ad) — till.

prep

1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as

1a) of space

1a1) as far as, up to, even to

1b) in combination

1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)

1c) of time

1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end

1d) of degree

1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like

conj

2) until, while, to the point that, so that even

Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
כְּל֥וֹתke.Lot was complete H3615 Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
208× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to finish or end something, like completing a task or using up a resource, as seen in Genesis 2:2 where God finished creating the heavens and earth.
Amplified meaning
to end, to complete
Tyndale gloss
to end: finish
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word כָּלָה (*kalah*) is a primitive root meaning to end or finish. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to complete, accomplish, perish, and destroy. The entries indicate various uses in both intransitive and transitive forms, covering actions like finishing a task or causing something to cease. Notably, it can also imply negative connotations, such as plotting or destruction.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כָּלָה 204 vb. be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, spent

Qal

be complete, at an end, of a period of time

be completed, finished, of a work

be accomplished, fulfilled

be idealy complete, be determined, always in a bad sense, plotted

be spent, used up (prop. come to an end), of water

waste away, be exhausted, fail

come to an end, vanish = perish, be destroyed

Pi.

complete, bring to an end, finish, a thing, task, work, etc.

complete a period of time

finish doing a thing

make an end, end

accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass

accomplish in thought, determine

put an end to, cause to cease

cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend

destroy, sts. exterminate

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3615 כָּלָה be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, spent .. . be complete, at an end, of a period of time

. be completed, finished, of a work

. be accomplished, fulfilled

. be idealy complete, be determined, always in a bad sense, plotted

. . be spent, used up (prop. come to an end), of water

. waste away, be exhausted, fail

. come to an end, vanish = perish, be destroyed

. . . complete, bring to an end, finish, a thing, task, work, etc.

. complete a period of time

. finish doing a thing

. make an end, end

. accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass

. accomplish in thought, determine

. . put an end to, cause to cease

. cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend

. destroy, sts. exterminate

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3615 kalah kaw-law'

a primitive root; to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be

finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare,

consume):--accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine,

destroy (utterly), be (when ... were) done, (be an) end (of),

expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, X fully, X

have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make

clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּלָה (ka.lah) — to end: finish.

: finish

1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be complete, be at an end

1a2) to be completed, be finished

1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled

1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense)

1a5) to be spent, be used up

1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail

1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish

1b2) to complete (a period of time)

1b3) to finish (doing a thing)

1b4) to make an end, end

1b5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass

1b6) to accomplish, determine (in thought)

1b7) to put an end to, cause to cease

1b8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend

1b9) to destroy, exterminate

1c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed

כָּלָה (ka.lah) — to end: destroy.

: destroy

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Inf-a — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
HVqcc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kom-plet': In the King James Version for pleroo, the verb ordinarily used for the coming to pass of what had been predicted. the King James Version translates this "complete" in Col 2:10; 4:12 to express the final and entire attainment of what is treated, leaving nothing beyond to be desired or hoped for; otherwise rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) ("made full"). In the Revised Version (British and American), c. appears once for Greek artios, from aro, "to join," in 2Ti 3:17, in sense of "accurately fitted for," where the King James Version has "perfect."

and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
קְצִֽיר־ke.tzir- [the] harvest of H7105 Noun common · masculine singular construct
54× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to the harvest or the time of harvest, as well as the reaper or the crop itself. It can also mean a limb or foliage of a tree, emphasizing the idea of growth and abundance. The concept of harvest is central to the biblical narrative, particularly in the book of Ruth.
Amplified meaning
the time of reaping, the crop itself
Tyndale gloss
harvest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָצִיר (qatsiyr) refers to the act of harvesting or the harvest itself, encompassing the process, the crop, and the time of harvest. It can also denote boughs or branches of trees. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to sever,' indicating its connection to reaping.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָצִיר n.m. harvesting, harvest

process of harvesting

what is reaped, harvested, crop

time of harvest

base

קָצִיר n.m. usually coll., boughs, branches

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7105a קָצִיר harvesting, harvest H7105b קָצִיר usually coll., boughs, branches

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7105 qatsiyr kaw-tseer'

from 7114; severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the

time, the reaper, or figuratively; also a limb (of a tree, or

simply foliage):--bough, branch, harvest (man).

see HEBREW for 07114

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָצִיר (qa.tsir) — harvest.

1) harvest, harvesting

1a) process of harvesting

1b) crop, what is harvested or reaped

1c) time of harvest

קָצִיר (qa.tsir) — foliage.

boughs, branches

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
הַשְּׂעֹרִ֖יםha.se.'o.Rim the barley H8184 Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
34× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to barley, a type of grain that was commonly eaten in ancient Israel. Barley was a staple food in the biblical world. It's mentioned in the story of Ruth.
Amplified meaning
a type of grain, a staple food
Tyndale gloss
barley
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׂעֹרָה (se'orah) refers to barley, specifically the bearded grain. It can denote both the plant and the grain itself. The word is derived from a root meaning 'roughness,' which relates to the texture of barley. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meaning.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שְׂעֹרָה n.f. barley (bearded grain)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8184 שְׂעֹרָה barley (bearded grain)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8184 s`orah seh-o-raw'

or snowrah {seh-o-raw'} (feminine meaning the plant); and

(masculine meaning the grain); also s or {seh-ore'}; or s-owr

{seh-ore'}; from 8175 in the sense of roughness; barley (as

villose):--barley.

see HEBREW for 08175

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׂעֹרָה (se.o.rah) — barley.

1) barley

1a) barley (of the plant)

1b) barley (of the meal or grain)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-fp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
HTd/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bar'-li (se`orah):

(1) In the Bible, as in modern times, barley was a characteristic product of Palestine--"a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees," etc. (De 8:8), the failure of whose crop was a national disaster (Joe 1:11). It was, and is, grown chiefly as provender for horses and asses (1Ki 4:28), oats being practically unknown, but it was, as it now is, to some extent, the food of the poor in country districts (Ru 2:17; 2Ki 4:42; Joh 6:9,13). Probably this is the meaning of the dream of the Midianite concerning Gideon: "Behold, I dreamed a dream; and, lo…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Barley

A grain much cultivated in Egypt (Ex. 9:31) and in Palestine (Lev. 27:16; Deut. 8:8). It was usually the food of horses (1 Kings 4:28). Barley bread was used by the poorer people (Judg. 7:13; 2 Kings 4:42). Barley of the first crop was ready for the harvest by the time of the Passover, in the middle of April (Ruth 1:22; 2 Sam. 21:9). Mention is made of barley-meal (Num. 5:15). Our Lord fed five thousand…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

is one of the most important of the cereal grains, and the most hardy of them all. It was grown by the Hebrews, (Leviticus 27:16; 8:8; Ruth 2:17) etc., who used it for baking into bread chiefly among the poor, (Judges 7:13; 2 Kings 4:42; John 6:9,13) and as fodder for horses. (1 Kings 4:28) The barley harvest, (Ruth 1:22; 2:23; 2 Samuel 21:9;10) takes place in Palestine in March and April, and in the hilly district as late as May. It always precedes the wheat…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Sown in Palestine in autumn, and reaped in the spring, that is, at the Passover. The Hebrews frequently used barley bread, 2Sa 1:27; 2Ki 4:42; Joh 6:9. Barley also was much used as food for cattle, 1Ki 4:28.

and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
וּקְצִ֣ירu.ke.Tzir and [the] harvest of H7105 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
54× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to the harvest or the time of harvest, as well as the reaper or the crop itself. It can also mean a limb or foliage of a tree, emphasizing the idea of growth and abundance. The concept of harvest is central to the biblical narrative, particularly in the book of Ruth.
Tyndale gloss
harvest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָצִיר (qatsiyr) refers to the act of harvesting or the harvest itself, encompassing the process, the crop, and the time of harvest. It can also denote boughs or branches of trees. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to sever,' indicating its connection to reaping.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָצִיר n.m. harvesting, harvest

process of harvesting

what is reaped, harvested, crop

time of harvest

base

קָצִיר n.m. usually coll., boughs, branches

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7105a קָצִיר harvesting, harvest H7105b קָצִיר usually coll., boughs, branches

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7105 qatsiyr kaw-tseer'

from 7114; severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the

time, the reaper, or figuratively; also a limb (of a tree, or

simply foliage):--bough, branch, harvest (man).

see HEBREW for 07114

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָצִיר (qa.tsir) — harvest.

1) harvest, harvesting

1a) process of harvesting

1b) crop, what is harvested or reaped

1c) time of harvest

קָצִיר (qa.tsir) — foliage.

boughs, branches

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/Ncmsc — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
הַֽחִטִּ֑יםha.chi.Tim the wheat H2406 Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
30× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means wheat, whether the plant or the grain. It is used in the Bible to describe fields of wheat, like those in the story of Ruth and Boaz.
Amplified meaning
a plant or grain
Tyndale gloss
wheat
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חִטָּה (chittah) means wheat, referring to both the grain and the plant. It can also denote wheat flour. The Aramaic equivalent is חִנְטָה (chintah). The word's derivation is uncertain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חִטָּה n.f. wheat

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2406 חִטָּה wheat

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2406 chittah khit-taw'

of uncertain derivation; wheat, whether the grain or the

plant:--wheat(-en).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חִטָּה (chit.tah) — wheat.

1) wheat

1a) wheat (plant)

1b) wheat flour

Aramaic equivalent: chin.tah (חִנְטָה "wheat" H2591)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-fp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absolute
HTd/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hwet

((1) chiTTah, the specific word for wheat (Ge 30:14; Ex 34:22, etc.), with puros (Judith 3:3; Sirach 39:26);

(2) bar, or bar (Jer 23:28; Joe 2:24; Am 5:11; 8:6); in other passages translated "grain" or "corn";

(3) sitos (Mt 3:12; 13:25,29,30; Lu 3:17; 16:7; 22:31, etc.) (for other words translated occasionally "wheat" in the King James Version see CORN; FOOD)): Wheat, usually the bearded variety, is cultivated all over Palestine, though less so than barley. The great plain of the Hauran is a vast expanse of…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Wheat

One of the earliest cultivated grains. It bore the Hebrew name hittah, and was extensively cultivated in Palestine. There are various species of wheat. That which Pharaoh saw in his dream was the Triticum compositum, which bears several ears upon one stalk (Gen. 41:5). The “fat of the kidneys of wheat” (Deut. 32:14), and the “finest of the wheat” (Ps. 81:16; 147:14), denote the best of the kind. It was exported from Palestine in great quantities (1 Kings 5:11; Ezek. 27:17; Acts 12:20).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

the well-known valuable cereal, cultivated from the earliest times, is first mentioned in ((Genesis 30:14) in the account of Jacob’s sojourn with Laban in Mesopotamia. Egypt in ancient times was celebrated for the growth of its wheat; the best quality was all bearded; and the same varieties existed in ancient as in modern times, among which may be mentioned the seven-eared quality described in Pharaoh’s dream. (Genesis 41:22) Babylonia was also noted for the excellence of its wheat and other cereals. Syria and Palestine produced wheat of fine quality and in large quantities. (Psalms 81:16; 147:14) etc. There appear to be two or three kinds of wheat at present grown in Palestine, the Triticum vulgare , the T. spelta , and…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Is the principal and most valuable kind of grain for the service of man, and is produced in almost every part of the world, Ge 30:14 De 8:8 Jud 6:11 Mt 13:25 1Co 15:37. It is often intended where the word corn is used. See CORN.

The Egyptian wheat, Triticum Compositum, has six or seven ears on one head; so that it presented its usual appearance in this respect in Pharaoh’s dream, Ge 41:5-7. The "meat-offerings" of the Mosaic service, Le 2:1-16, were all made of wheaten flour.

and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
וַתֵּ֖שֶׁבva.Te.shev and she dwelt H3427 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
1,079× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Amplified meaning
to dwell, to remain
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell

Qal

sit

sit, sit down

sit down

sit = be set (as a jewel)

remain, stay, tarry

with special emphasis of qualifying phr.

dwell, have one’s abode

of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited

Niph. be inhabited, of land

Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee

Hiph.

cause to sit

cause to abide

cause to dwell

cause cities to be inhabited

marry (prop. give a dwelling to)

Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3427 yashab yaw-shab'

a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as

judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to

remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)

abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease

self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)

inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),

(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),

(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),

take, tarry.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.

1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to sit, sit down

1a2) to be set

1a3) to remain, stay

1a4) to dwell, have one's abode

1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited

1c) (Piel) to set, place

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to sit

1d2) to cause to abide, set

1d3) to cause to dwell

1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited

1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)

1e) (Hophal)

1e1) to be inhabited

1e2) to make to dwell

Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqw3fs
and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
אֶת־'et- with H854 Preposition
929× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵת (eth) is a preposition indicating nearness or proximity, often translated as 'with' or 'near.' It conveys a sense of companionship or association, distinguishing itself from similar terms by expressing closer relationships. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including possession and memory, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity

Of companionship, together with

Of localities

אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially

in one's possession or keeping

in one's knowledge or memory

מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H854 אֵת with—prep. denoting proximity . Of companionship, together with

. Of localities

. אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially . in one's possession or keeping

. in one's knowledge or memory

. מֵאֵת from proximity with

Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

854 'eth ayth

probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a

preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by,

at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from,

in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional

prefix.

see HEBREW for 0579

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — with.

1) with, near, together with

1a) with, together with

1b) with (of relationship)

1c) near (of place)

1d) with (poss.)

1e) from...with, from (with other prep)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
and she stayed with [the] female servants of Boaz to glean until was complete [the] harvest of the barley and [the] harvest of the wheat and she dwelt with mother-in-law her
חֲמוֹתָֽהּ׃cha.mo.Tah mother-in-law her H2545 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
11× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a mother-in-law, the husband's mother, a family relationship. It appears in various biblical contexts.
Amplified meaning
the husband's mother, a family relationship
Tyndale gloss
mother-in-law
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֲמוֹת (chamowth) means 'husband’s mother' or 'mother-in-law.' It is a feminine noun derived from the root of another word, specifically H2524. The entries consistently define it as referring to a mother-in-law without any significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[חֲמוֹת] n.f. husband’s mother

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2545 [חֲמוֹת] husband’s mother

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2545 chamowth kham-oth'

or (shortened) chamoth {kham-oth'}; feminine of 2524; a

mother-in-law:--mother in law.

see HEBREW for 02524

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֲמוֹת (cha.mot) — mother-in-law.

mother-in-law, husband's mother

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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