2:16a
Rather: In this context the Hebrew words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Rather introduce a further and unusual command. Boaz told the workers to drop some cut stalks so that there would be plenty of grain for Ruth to gather. This was a very unusual and generous command.
pull out for her some stalks from the bundles: The way in which reapers cut grain was to gather as many stalks as possible in one hand, while the stalks were still upright and in the ground. Then they cut off the stalks with a swing of their sickle, which they held in the other hand. Boaz apparently instructed his men to pull some stalks out of the handfuls they cut and let them fall on the ground. This would help Ruth gather more grain.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
pull out some heads of grain from the bundles (Good News Translation)
-or-
drop some full heads of grain for her from what you have in your hands (New Century Version)
bundles: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bundles can also be translated as “handfuls.” It probably refers to the bunches of grain stalks that the reapers held in their hands.
2:16b
and leave them for her to gather: Boaz told the workers to let the dropped stalks lie on the ground so that Ruth would be able to collect them.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
and let her gather them (New Century Version)
-or-
and leave it for her to gather (God’s Word)
2:16c
Do not rebuke her: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rebuke refers to telling someone that what they are doing is wrong or not allowed. In some languages, it may be natural to translate this command as a separate sentence. For example:
Don’t tell her not to! (NET Bible)
-or-
Don’t give her a hard time about it. (God’s Word)
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