Ruth gleaned barley in Boaz's field.

Ruth and Naomi returned to Bethlehem, and their life was extremely difficult, with no source of income. Ruth willingly asked to go to the fields to glean the ears of grain, in order to support herself and her mother‑in‑law. According to the law of Israel, when the harvest was gathered the corners of the fields and the dropped heads were to be left for the poor and the strangers to glean. Ruth happened to come to the field of a man named Boaz. Boaz was a relative of the family of Elimelek, a very wealthy man, devout and generous. Boaz noticed Ruth, and after questioning the servants learned that she was the foreign woman who had returned with Naomi from Moab. Boaz spoke kindly to Ruth, praising her for leaving her parents and homeland to take refuge under the wings of the Lord, the God of Israel. He ordered his servants not to mistreat her, allowing her to glean freely in the field, and he specifically commanded that some of the bundles be pulled out and left for her. At mealtime Boaz invited Ruth to eat with him and gave her roasted heads of grain. Ruth ate her fill and had leftovers, which she took home to her mother‑in‑law. When Naomi learned that Ruth was gleaning in Boaz’s field, she rejoiced greatly and told Ruth that Boaz was their close relative, a kinsman‑redeemer who could redeem their property.