Ruth 2:13 Meaning: “Though I Am Not as One of Your Servants”
Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not as one of your servants.”
Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.
Then she said, Let me find favor in thy sight, my lord, for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken kindly unto thy handmaid, though I be not as one of thy handmaidens.
And she saith, `Let me find grace in thine eyes, my lord, because thou hast comforted me, and because thou hast spoken unto the heart of thy maid-servant, and I--I am not as one of thy maid-servants.'
And she said, Let me find favour in thine eyes, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken kindly to thy handmaid, though I am not like one of thy handmaidens.
Meaning in one sentence
Ruth's humble response to Boaz's kindness shows how she, a foreigner, received comfort and favor despite feeling unworthy. Discover the depth of her gratitude.
Context
Ruth, a Moabite widow, has just arrived in Bethlehem with her mother-in-law Naomi. In chapter 2, she goes to glean leftover grain in the fields, a provision for the poor. By God's guidance, she ends up in the field of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi. Boaz notices her, learns of her loyalty to Naomi, and shows her unexpected favor: he protects her, provides water, and blesses her under God's wings. Ruth is overwhelmed. A foreigner and a widow, she had no claim to such kindness. Verse 13 is her heartfelt response to this man who has treated her like family instead of a stranger.
Key Words
Three Hebrew phrases carry the weight of Ruth's response. The word for 'favor' (chen) means unearned grace, a gift freely given. Ruth does not demand kindness; she acknowledges it as a gift she never expected. The verb 'you have comforted' (nacham) is the same word God uses in Isaiah 40:1 when He tells His people to comfort Jerusalem. It means to console, to let someone breathe again after grief. And 'you have spoken kindly' is literally 'you have spoken to the heart' (dibarta al lev). This is tender, personal speech that reaches past politeness into the soul. Boaz has not just been nice. He has spoken words that touch the deepest part of a woman who thought she had no right to hear them.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have seen in Ruth's words a model of genuine humility. Methodist commentator Adam Clarke notes that she recognizes her unworthiness, yet Boaz shows her 'distinguished kindness.' The Anglican Cambridge Bible points out that as a foreigner, she had no claim to such friendly treatment. Baptist expositor John Gill takes a slightly different angle: he sees Ruth not merely wishing for favor but acknowledging that she has already found it and expressing confidence in its continuation. Lutheran scholars Keil and Delitzsch emphasize her optative sense, she hopes Boaz will continue the kindness he has begun. All agree that Ruth's response reflects a heart transformed by unexpected grace.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is to see Ruth's words as excessive self-deprecation, as if she lacks self-worth or faith. In fact, Ruth is simply telling the truth about her social standing. In ancient Israel, a Moabite widow had no rights to protection or care from a landowner. Her confession 'I am not as one of your servants' is not low self-esteem; it is honest recognition of her foreignness. And that makes Boaz's kindness all the more remarkable, and her gratitude all the more genuine.
Living This Out
This week, you may receive kindness you did not expect, a word of encouragement, an offer to help, a gift you could not repay. Ruth shows us how to receive such kindness: not with awkward denial, but with heartfelt acknowledgment of what it means. You can say, 'You have comforted me. You have spoken kindly to me.' It is okay to name the gift and to admit that you did not earn it. That is not false humility; it is seeing clearly both your need and the other person's generosity. And if you are the one offering kindness, Ruth reminds us that even small words and gestures can land on a heart that was bracing for indifference. Speak to someone's heart this week.
Main takeaway: Ruth shows us that receiving kindness honestly as unearned favor is itself an act of humble gratitude.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Ruth was a stranger in a new land, and she did not expect anyone to be kind to her. But Boaz was kind, and she said thank you in a way that showed she knew it was a gift. We can say thank you like that too.
For ages 9, 12
When Ruth said she was not even like one of Boaz's servants, she was not putting herself down. She was being honest about her situation: she was a foreigner with no rights. But Boaz had already treated her better than she expected. Her gratitude came from seeing how generous he was, not from feeling worthless. When someone is kind to you, especially when you did not expect it, you can receive that gift with the same honest thanks. It honors both the giver and the gift.
Questions People Ask
Why does Ruth call herself a servant when she isn't one?
Ruth uses the word 'maidservant' as a term of humility, not as a job title. In the ancient Near East, calling yourself a servant before a benefactor was a way of acknowledging your lower status and their generosity. She is saying, 'I am not even worthy to be counted among your servants, yet you have treated me as if I were.'
What does 'spoken kindly' mean in the original Hebrew?
The Hebrew phrase is 'dibarta al lev,' which means 'you have spoken to the heart.' It is a tender expression found also in Judges 19:3 and Isaiah 40:2. It means more than polite words; it means speaking in a way that reaches the inner person, bringing comfort and reassurance.
Is Ruth being too hard on herself in this verse?
No. Ruth is stating a social fact: she is a Moabite widow, a foreigner with no legal claim to protection or provision in Israel. Her words are not self-hatred but honest self-assessment. Recognizing her low position actually magnifies Boaz's grace. The same pattern appears throughout Scripture when people express unworthiness before an unexpected gift.
How does this verse connect to the larger story of Ruth?
Ruth's humility and gratitude prepare the way for the rest of the story. Boaz continues to show her favor, and by chapter 4 he becomes her kinsman-redeemer, marrying her and restoring her family line. The kindness she receives in verse 13 is a foretaste of the redemption that will come. Their union leads to the birth of David's grandfather, placing Ruth in the genealogy of Jesus.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study