Ruth 2:22 (KJV)

What does Ruth 2:22 mean?

Naomi tells Ruth that she should keep gleaning with Boaz’s young women, where she has protection. Working in another field could expose Ruth to people who might mistreat her.

The key is “that they meet thee not.” The Hebrew word פָּגַע (pagaʿ), translated “meet,” can describe an encounter, including a hostile one. Here Naomi’s concern is an unwelcome encounter in another field. Boaz had already ordered his young men not to touch Ruth (Ruth 2:9), so Naomi recognizes the safety his arrangements provide.

The Hebrew behind Ruth 2:22

• “good” — טוֹב (tov): Means good, beneficial, or suitable. Naomi is saying that staying with Boaz’s workers is the sensible, beneficial course for Ruth.

• “daughter” — בַּת (bat): Means daughter. Although Ruth is introduced as Naomi’s “daughter in law,” Naomi addresses her directly as “my daughter.” The wording expresses their close family relationship as Naomi gives advice.

• “maidens” — נַעֲרָה (naʿarah): Means a girl or young woman; here the word is plural and refers to Boaz’s female workers. Naomi advises Ruth to work alongside this particular group, within Boaz’s household workforce.

• “field” — שָׂדֶה (sadeh): Means a field or agricultural land. With “other,” Naomi points to the danger of moving to a different place to glean, beyond the protection Boaz has established.

Why Ruth 2:22 matters

• Naomi’s advice responds to a specific danger. “That they meet thee not” explains why she wants Ruth to remain with Boaz’s young women: Ruth could face mistreatment elsewhere.

• Naomi picks up Boaz’s earlier instruction. Boaz had told Ruth not to glean in another field and to stay close to his young women (Ruth 2:8). Naomi now endorses that arrangement.

• The young women become Ruth’s ongoing companions at harvest. The next verse says Ruth stayed close to Boaz’s maidens through the barley and wheat harvests, carrying out Naomi’s advice.