2:21a
Then Ruth the Moabitess said: In many languages, it may be more natural to simply say Ruth rather than repeating the phrase Ruth the Moabitess. However, it is recommended that you repeat the information that Ruth was a woman from Moab. It is probable that the author wished to emphasize this at this point in the narrative.
He also told me: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as also :
(1) It adds force or emphasis, so it intensifies what follows. For example:
and what is more he said to me (Revised English Bible)
(2) It means “also,” so it introduces something additional that Boaz had said. For example:
He also said to me (God’s Word)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).
2:21b
Stay with my young men: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Stay with means “keep close to.” In this context, Boaz was telling Ruth to remain near his own workers while they were in the field.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
You may go along beside my servants (NET Bible)
-or-
Keep close to my workers (New Century Version)
my young men: This is a masculine plural noun. In this context, it probably refers to both the men and the women who were working in Boaz’s fields. Ruth was reporting what Boaz had said in 2:8c, where Boaz told Ruth to remain close to “my servant girls.”
until they have finished gathering all my harvest: Boaz was referring to both the barley and the wheat harvests, as mentioned in 2:23b.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
until they have finished my whole harvest (New Century Version)
-or-
until the entire harvest is completed (New Living Translation (2004))
General Comment on 2:21a-b
2:21b is an embedded quotation. It gives Ruth’s report of what Boaz had said. In some languages, it is not possible to have a direct quotation of a quotation. It may be necessary or more natural to report Boaz’s words using indirect speech. For example:
Then Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also told me to stay close to his workers until they finish harvesting all the grain.”
-or-
Ruth told her, “Boaz even said I could stay in the field with his workers until they had finished harvesting all his grain.” (Contemporary English Version)
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