Ruth 2 22

Ruth 2:22 kjv

And 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.

Ruth 2:22 nkjv

And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, "It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field."

Ruth 2:22 niv

Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, "It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else's field you might be harmed."

Ruth 2:22 esv

And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, "It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted."

Ruth 2:22 nlt

"Good!" Naomi exclaimed. "Do as he said, my daughter. Stay with his young women right through the whole harvest. You might be harassed in other fields, but you'll be safe with him."

Ruth 2 verses

Ruth 2 22 Meaning

Ruth 2:22 conveys Naomi's wise and protective counsel to her daughter-in-law, Ruth. Naomi affirms Boaz's earlier instruction that Ruth should continue gleaning specifically in his fields, alongside his own female servants. Her key motivation for this advice is to shield Ruth from potential dangers, harassment, or harm that could befall her in other, unknown fields, where she would lack the protective oversight and good reputation that Boaz's presence provided. It underscores the practical wisdom in seeking and adhering to beneficial guidance, particularly in vulnerable situations.

Ruth 2 22 Context

Ruth 2:22 concludes a significant exchange between Ruth and Naomi, building on Boaz's generous and protective acts in the field. After Ruth reports her fruitful day and Boaz's kindness (Ruth 2:19), Naomi praises God's ongoing kindness to them through Boaz (Ruth 2:20). Naomi then specifically recounts Boaz's instruction to Ruth to remain with his young women until the end of the barley and wheat harvests (Ruth 2:21). Ruth 2:22 serves as Naomi's emphatic endorsement and reiteration of this critical advice. It highlights Naomi's role as a wise elder guiding the younger Ruth, demonstrating both care and a clear understanding of the social dangers facing an unattached foreign woman in ancient Israel. The immediate context of protection and provision in the fields of Boaz contrasts with the implicit dangers and vulnerabilities outside his benevolent oversight, establishing a safe space for Ruth while navigating the broader social challenges.

Ruth 2 22 Word analysis

• And Naomi: Naʻomi (נָעֳמִי), meaning "my pleasantness," signifying her role as a guiding matriarch whose wisdom, despite her initial bitterness in Chapter 1, now offers pleasant and life-preserving counsel.
• said: Simple declaration, indicating the giving of verbal counsel.
• to Ruth: The central character, a Moabite woman demonstrating unwavering loyalty and diligence.
• her daughter-in-law: This familial bond emphasizes the intimate and caring nature of Naomi's advice, highlighting her responsibility for Ruth's welfare.
• It is good, ṭôḇ (טוֹב): Not merely "okay," but truly beneficial, morally right, advantageous, and proper. This conveys strong approval and the sound wisdom of the advice. It points to a clear ethical and practical advantage.
• my daughter, Affectionate address, solidifying the restored loving relationship and Naomi's motherly concern for Ruth's safety and well-being.
• that you go out: To continue or persist in an activity; a steady, ongoing presence in a particular environment.
• with his young women, na‘arôtāw (נַעֲרֹתָיו): Specifically refers to Boaz’s female laborers, differentiating them from the male reapers and providing a protective social environment for Ruth. Association with honorable company is paramount.
• lest: Introduces a cautionary reason for the advice; what should be avoided.
• in another field: Signifies a foreign or uncontrolled environment, where rules might be different, protections non-existent, and social norms unpredictable.
• you be attacked. yip̄gə‘û (יִפְגְּעוּ), from the root pāḡa‘ (פָּגַע): This verb has a wide semantic range but in this context strongly implies hostile encounters. It can mean to meet, to fall upon, to entreat, to intercede, but also to strike, assault, or molest. Given the vulnerability of a single woman in that culture, and the context of gleaning fields where foreign men might be present, it very likely refers to harassment, physical assault, or even sexual violence. Naomi's concern is serious and reflects real dangers.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, 'It is good, my daughter'": This phrase establishes Naomi's restored role as a benevolent guide. Her counsel is rooted in love and experience, using an endearing term that signifies deep care and a familial bond stronger than simple affinity. The affirmation "It is good" legitimizes and strongly recommends the ensuing advice.
• "that you go out with his young women": This is the proactive protective strategy. Staying specifically with "his" (Boaz's) women offers a defined, supervised, and reputable working environment. This group dynamic provides safety in numbers and a measure of respect linked to Boaz’s esteemed household.
• "lest in another field you be attacked.": This warning is crucial, highlighting the potential grave consequences of not following wise counsel. "Another field" represents the unknown and uncontrolled, a space lacking the protective oversight Boaz provided. "Attacked" underscores the significant personal danger—harassment, molestation, or violence—faced by vulnerable, unattached women in ancient Near Eastern society, especially those who were foreigners.

Ruth 2 22 Bonus section

The underlying principle in Ruth 2:22 goes beyond mere physical safety. It encapsulates the spiritual truth that obedience to sound, righteous counsel, often from older or wiser individuals, creates a path of blessing and avoids spiritual and personal pitfalls. Naomi’s counsel aligns with Boaz's specific care for Ruth (Ruth 2:8-9), demonstrating a coordinated wisdom that secures Ruth's welfare. This interaction models how guidance from trusted mentors, combined with a willingness to follow, leads to divine favor and protection, even if the "dangers" of another field are not always explicitly defined but implicitly understood as a lack of divine protection or an open door to adversaries. The verse underscores the fragility of an unchaperoned, unattached woman in an agricultural setting, reinforcing Boaz's significant act of ordering his male reapers not to touch Ruth (Ruth 2:9).

Ruth 2 22 Commentary

Ruth 2:22 is a concise yet profound statement on the vital importance of wise counsel, protection, and discerning boundaries. Naomi, having witnessed Boaz's character and generosity, understood that staying within his specific domain offered Ruth not only sustenance but also, critically, personal safety. The phrase "it is good" indicates the immense value and benefit of this specific advice, stemming from experience and a loving concern for Ruth’s well-being. The inherent dangers of "another field," underscored by the possibility of being "attacked" – which could range from verbal abuse to physical assault – highlight the stark realities for vulnerable individuals, particularly women, in that cultural setting. Ruth’s continued obedience to this instruction is a testament to her humility, trust in Naomi’s wisdom, and a key factor in her ongoing protection and eventual marital security. This verse also serves as a subtle polemic against recklessness, asserting the wisdom of remaining within protective, godly boundaries over venturing into risky, unknown territories.