Bible dictionary for children
Gleaning
Gleaning means gathering crops left after the main harvest.
In simple words
What does it mean?
Gleaning means gathering crops left after the main harvest. Laws in Israel left some produce for people who needed food.
Ruth asks to glean in a field so that she and Naomi can eat. Boaz's response adds protection and generosity to her opportunity to gather grain.
Talk about it
How could leaving some harvest behind help a neighbor?
An example from the Bible
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Ruth Meets Boaz
Ruth 2:1–23
Ruth goes to glean barley and receives unexpected kindness from Boaz.
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Bible context & readings +
Read the surrounding passage to see who is speaking and how this word or idea is being used. The linked reading opens the full chapter.
Related reading: Ruth 2:2
Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I find favor.” She said to her, “Go, my daughter.”Full readings at eBible.org · World English Bible Classic. Read with an adult.
