Translations
F.O.G.MPrimary
F.O.G MessageThen Boaz asked his foreman — the young man set over the reapers — 'Who does this young woman belong to?'
F.O.GSecondary
The F.O.GThen Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, 'Whose young woman is this?'
KJV
King James VersionThen said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?
BSB
Berean Standard BibleAnd Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”
Footnotes
Boaz's question לְמִי הַנַּעֲרָה הַזֹּאת (lemi hanna'arah hazot — 'to whom does this young woman belong?') reflects ancient social convention in which women's identity was tied to household belonging — she is identified by her male patron or family. Yet the question also signals Boaz's attentiveness: among all the gleaners, he notices Ruth specifically. The word נַעֲרָה (na'arah) implies youth and unmarried status. Notably, both Boaz's own servant and Ruth carry the na'ar/na'arah designation in this chapter — the author is quietly placing them in the same social bracket before Boaz has spoken a word to her.
