Ruth 2:9

9. That they do reap… go after them The words they and them refer respectively to the reapers and the maidens of Boaz, for in the Hebrew the verb יקצרון reap, is in the masculine, and the suffix הן them, is in the feminine form. In the absence of fences to mark the exact limits of Boaz’s field, Ruth might, if she allowed herself to become far separated from his reapers, go unlicensed on another’s possessions; hence the charge to keep near his maidens.

Have I not charged the young men From this remark it seems that the reapers were apt to be rude in their deportment towards defenceless females, if they received no charge from their masters. “Such precautions,” says Dr. Thomson, “are not out of place at this day.

The reapers are gathered from all parts of the country, and largely from the ruder class, and, living far from home, throw off all restraint, and give free license to their tongues, if nothing more.”

Go unto the vessels This was doubtless a special indulgence to a gleaner. The harvest field was often at some distance from springs or wells, but the occasional refreshment of a drink of water was all important to the heated labourers; hence the vessels of water provided by the young men.