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Ruth 2:19
ESV And her mother-in-law said to her, "Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you." So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, "The man 's name with whom I worked today is Boaz."
NIV Her mother-in-law asked her, "Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!" Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. "The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz," she said.
NASB Her mother-in-law then said to her, 'Where did you glean today and where did you work? May he who took notice of you be blessed.' So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, 'The name of the man with whom I worked today is Boaz.'
CSB Her mother-in-law said to her, "Where did you gather barley today, and where did you work? May the Lord bless the man who noticed you." Ruth told her mother-in-law whom she had worked with and said, "The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz."
NLT Where did you gather all this grain today?' Naomi asked. 'Where did you work? May the Lord bless the one who helped you!' So Ruth told her mother-in-law about the man in whose field she had worked. She said, 'The man I worked with today is named Boaz.'
KJV And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
NKJV And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”

What does Ruth 2:19 mean?

Ruth has been "gleaning" in the barley fields: following the harvesters and picking up loose stalks of grain, in hopes of providing food for herself and her mother-in-law.

As Ruth shows Naomi what she has brought back, Naomi realizes something isn't normal. Ruth has almost thirty pounds, or about thirteen kilograms, of grain. A typical male Babylonian laborer would maybe earn two pounds a day, or roughly a kilogram; a female worker, half that. Ruth has brought back enough to support the two of them for two weeks.

It's obvious Ruth has had help from a man. Naomi is so shocked she repeats her question, first asking in what location did Ruth work and then in what direction. What she really wants to know is who owns the field where she worked.

Ruth answers that she worked in Boaz's field and goes on to give the details of his kindness toward her. This includes how he ordered his harvesters to protect her and instructed Ruth to continue throughout the barley and wheat harvests. Naomi blesses him and, almost casually, mentions that he is a kinsman-redeemer. He might have the responsibility to buy Naomi's husband's land, which would provide the women with a stable future. But even more, Naomi is grateful that Ruth can work in safety (Ruth 2:20–22).

"Took notice" reflects Ruth's words to Boaz: "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me…?" (Ruth 2:10). The wording means that Boaz did not glance over Ruth or even casually make decisions in her favor. Naomi is aware that he intentionally singled Ruth out and acted for her welfare. By the end of the harvest, Naomi starts to think this kind man would make Ruth a good husband (Ruth 3:1–2).
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