Ruth 2:22
What does Ruth 2:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 2:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 2:22 means
Naomi affirms that it is good for Ruth to go out with Boaz’s maidens and not to be met in any other field. She guides Ruth toward the safest, most honorable path—remaining under Boaz’s care and among the women, which protects both her person and her reputation. Naomi’s counsel balances gratitude for favor with prudence in conduct. She sees God’s hand and also exercises wisdom, ensuring Ruth’s long-term welfare as a foreign widow finding her place in Israel’s community.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, and that they meet thee not in any other field.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, and that they meet thee not in any other field.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, It is better, my daughter, for you to go out with his servant-girls, so that no danger may come to you in another field.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Naomi saith unto Ruth her daughter-in-law, `Good, my daughter, that thou goest out with his young women, and they come not against thee in another field.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And her mother in law said to her: It is better for thee, my daughter, to go out to reap with his maids, lest in another man's field some one may resist thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
Context
Responding to Ruth’s report (v. 21), Naomi tailors the plan: stay in Boaz’s fields and close to his maidens. The advice consolidates the unfolding providence and keeps Ruth within the sphere of Boaz’s protection. This practical instruction leads directly to the concluding summary of Ruth’s faithful obedience and the duration of the gleaning season in verse 23, which bridges to the events of the next chapter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Song of Solomon 1:8
If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.
- Proverbs 27:10
Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; And go not to thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.
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