《路得记》2:3-17之“好客”主题解读

Interpreting the Motif of Hospitality in Ruth 2:3-17

《路得记》2:3-17是一则以“好客”为主题的关键片段。路得的身份在此之前历经了双重转变,即成为绝对的异乡人与强制的匿名者,其个体性因类型化而被还原为“摩押女子”,致使其先后遭遇收割者的冷漠与监督者的敌意。波阿斯因雅威的介入而视路得为神圣的、饥饿的异乡人,为其提供安全的地方与充足的饮食;他的好客是路得将获得的“完满的报偿”的阶段之一,预示其异乡人身份最终消解,乃至将作为第二利亚与拉结为以色列家奠基。从冷漠、敌意过渡为好客是在意识到潜在的危机与有限的资源之后依然以完全的爱款待客人,以之通向“完满”暨“平安”的生存境况。

The first barley scene(Ruth 2:3-17)is a key pericope taking hospitality as the theme in the Book of Ruth.Prior to this,Ruth's identity has undergone two transformations,that is,becoming an absolute stranger and enforced anonymity.Her individuality is reduced by typification to the label"Moabite woman",resulting in the indifference of the reaper and the hostility of the supervisor.Boaz regarded Ruth as a sacred and starving stranger because of the intervention of YHWH,providing her with a safe place and sufficient food.His hospitality is one of the stages of apw 72n(perfect recompense)that Ruth will receive,which indicates the final dissolution of Ruth as a stranger,and that she will lay the foundation for the house of Israel as a second Leah and Rachel.The transition from indifference and hostility to hospitality is a transition from awareness of the potential crisis and limited resources to complete love and hospitality,which leads to a"perfect,"or"peaceful"'state.