Ruth 2:14

“And Boaz said, at mealtime come thou hither, etc.] This looks as if she was now in the booth, or house in the field, where the reapers used to retire to eat their food, or rest themselves, or take shelter from the heat of the sun. This meal was very likely dinner, the time of which was not yet come, but would soon, and to which Boaz invited Ruth: and eat of the bread; his servants did, that is, partake of the provisions they should have; bread being put for all. So Homer f39 speaks of a large ox slain for such a meal for the reapers, besides the “polenta” afterwards mentioned, which the women prepared, and who uses the same word for it the Septuagint does here: “to dip thy morsel in the…”

“he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left--some of the new grain, roasted on the spot, and fit for use after being rubbed in the hands--a favorite viand in the East. He gave her so much, that after satisfying her own wants, she had some (Rut 2:18) in reserve for her mother-in-law.”

“To dip the morsel, or sop, whether it were bread or meat, in the dish containing the vinegar (compare Matthew 26:23; Mark 14:20 : Exodus 25:29; Numbers 7:13) was, and still is, the common custom in the East. Parched or “roasted” corn - Grain was the common food of the country then (compare 1 Samuel 17:17; 1 Samuel 25:18; 2 Samuel 17:28) as it is now. And left - Or “reserved” Ruth 2:18. Rather, “had some over” (compare Luke 15:17). Ruth 2:18 tells us that she took to her mother-in-law what she had left over. return to 'Top of Page'”

“She sat - Not with or among them, but at some little distance from them, as one inferior to them. It is no disparagement to the finest hand, to be reached forth to the needy. Ruth 2:17”

“2:14 By sharing his meal with Ruth, Boaz extended hospitality far beyond the call of duty.”

“At mealtime: Job 31:16-22; Pro 11:24, Pro 11:25; Isa 32:8, Isa 58:7, Isa 58:10, Isa 58:11; Luk 14:12-14 dip thy morsel: Vinegar, robb of fruits, etc., are used for this purpose in the East to the present day; into which, says Dr. Shaw, they dip the bread and hand together. parched: Sa1 17:17, Sa1 25:18; Sa2 17:28 she did: Deu 8:10, Deu 11:15; Kg2 4:43, Kg2 4:44; Mat 14:20 was sufficed: Rut 2:18; Psa 23:5 Ruth 2:15”

“This unassuming humility on the part of Ruth made Boaz all the more favourably disposed towards her, so that at meal-time he called her to eat along with his people (לה without Mappik, as in Num 32:42; Zac 5:11; cf. Ewald, 94, b. 3). "Dip thy morsel in the vinegar." Chomez, a sour beverage composed of vinegar (wine vinegar or sour wine) mixed with oil; a very refreshing drink, which is still a favourite beverage in the East (see Rosenmller, A. and N. Morgenland, iv. p. 68, and my Bibl. Archologie, ii. p. 16). "And he reached her parched corn." The subject is Boaz, who, judging from the expression "come hither," either joined in the meal, or at any rate was present at it. קלי are roasted…”