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Ruth 1:20 "Do not call me Naomi," she replied. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me.
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call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not call me Naomi,” she replied. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ruth/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ruth/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ruth/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ruth/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ruth/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi (sweetness); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has caused me great grief <i>and</i> bitterness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ruth/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara,” she answered, “for the Almighty has made me very bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ruth/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara,” she answered, “for the Almighty has made me very bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ruth/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara; for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ruth/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then she told them, "Don't call me Naomi any longer! Call me Mara, because God has made my life bitter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ruth/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ruth/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />She answered them, "Don't call me Naomi [Sweet]. Call me Mara [Bitter] because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ruth/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Don't call me Naomi," she answered; "call me Marah, because Almighty God has made my life bitter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ruth/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But Naomi replied, "Don't call me 'Naomi'! Call me 'Mara'! That's because the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ruth/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Do not call me Naomi,? she replied. ?Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ruth/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But she replied to them, "Don't call me 'Naomi'! Call me 'Mara' because the Sovereign One has treated me very harshly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ruth/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />She said to them, "Do not call me Naomi. Call me Marah; for Shaddai has dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ruth/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And she said to them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ruth/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />She said to them, “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ruth/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And she says to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ruth/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And she saith unto them, 'Call me not Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ruth/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And she will say to them, Ye shall not call to me Naomi; call to me, Mara: for the Almighty made bitter to me greatly.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ruth/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But she said to them: Call me not Noemi, (that is, beautiful,) but call me Mara, (that is, bitter,) for the Almighty hath quite filled me with bitterness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ruth/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi (that is, beautiful), but call me Mara (that is, bitter). For the Almighty has greatly filled me with bitterness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ruth/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi [‘Sweet’]. Call me Mara [‘Bitter’], for the Almighty has made my life very bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ruth/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />She said to them, “Call me no longer Naomi, call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ruth/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And she said to them, Do not call me Naomi, but call me Bitter of Soul; for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ruth/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And she said to them: “You should not call me Namei, but call me ‘Marirath Naphsha’ Bitter of Soul, because The Almighty has made me very bitter!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ruth/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And she said unto them: 'Call me not Naomi, call me Marah; for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ruth/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And she said to them, Nay, do not call me Noemin; call me ?Bitter,' for the Mighty One has dealt very bitterly with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ruth/1-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LT1nlCXT1mU?start=196" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">The Return to Bethlehem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19</span>So Naomi and Ruth traveled until they came to Bethlehem. When they entered Bethlehem, the whole city was stirred because of them, and the women of the city exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">“Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: tiq·re·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-2fp) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">call</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/5281.htm" title="5281: nā·‘o·mî (N-proper-fs) -- Mother-in-law of Ruth. From no'am; pleasant; Noomi, an Israelitess.">Naomi,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">she replied.</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hen (Prep:: 3fp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qə·re·nā (V-Qal-Imp-fp) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">“Call</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/4755.htm" title="4755: mā·rā (Adj-fs) -- Bitter, symbolic name of Naomi. For mar feminine; bitter; Mara, a symbolic name of Naomi.">Mara,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/7706.htm" title="7706: šad·day (N-proper-ms) -- The Almighty. From shadad; the Almighty.">the Almighty</a> <a href="/hebrew/4843.htm" title="4843: hê·mar (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To be bitter. A primitive root; properly, to trickle; but used only as a denominative from mar; to be bitter.">has dealt quite bitterly</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">with me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/30-20.htm">Job 30:20-23</a></span><br />I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer; when I stand up, You merely look at me. / You have ruthlessly turned on me; You oppose me with Your strong hand. / You snatch me up into the wind and drive me before it; You toss me about in the storm. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-19.htm">Lamentations 3:19-24</a></span><br />Remember my affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the gall. / Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me. / Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/15-23.htm">Exodus 15:23-25</a></span><br />And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.) / So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” / And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened. There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-10.htm">1 Samuel 1:10-11</a></span><br />In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. / And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-27.htm">2 Kings 4:27</a></span><br />When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-18.htm">Psalm 34:18-19</a></span><br />The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit. / Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-3.htm">Psalm 88:3-9</a></span><br />For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. / I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength. / I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-14.htm">Isaiah 49:14-16</a></span><br />But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!” / “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! / Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/20-14.htm">Jeremiah 20:14-18</a></span><br />Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me never be blessed. / Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, saying, “A son is born to you,” bringing him great joy. / May that man be like the cities that the LORD overthrew without compassion. May he hear an outcry in the morning and a battle cry at noon, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2-4</a></span><br />Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a></span><br />And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-8.htm">2 Corinthians 4:8-10</a></span><br />We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. / We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a></span><br />But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-11.htm">Hebrews 12:11</a></span><br />No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-6.htm">1 Peter 1:6-7</a></span><br />In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And she said to them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.</p><p class="hdg">Naomi.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1</a></b></br> And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I <i>am</i> the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/43-14.htm">Genesis 43:14</a></b></br> And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved <i>of my children</i>, I am bereaved.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/5-17.htm">Job 5:17</a></b></br> Behold, happy <i>is</i> the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:</p><p class="hdg">dealt</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/6-4.htm">Job 6:4</a></b></br> For the arrows of the Almighty <i>are</i> within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/19-6.htm">Job 19:6</a></b></br> Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/73-14.htm">Psalm 73:14</a></b></br> For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/ruth/1-13.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/ruth/1-9.htm">Bitterly</a> <a href="/ruth/1-8.htm">Dealt</a> <a href="/judges/13-12.htm">Life</a> <a href="/numbers/33-9.htm">Marah</a> <a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">Naomi</a> <a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">Na'omi</a> <a href="/judges/9-30.htm">Ruler</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ruth/1-21.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-10.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-6.htm">Bitterly</a> <a href="/ruth/3-10.htm">Dealt</a> <a href="/ruth/4-15.htm">Life</a> <a href="/exodus/15-23.htm">Marah</a> <a href="/ruth/1-21.htm">Naomi</a> <a href="/ruth/1-21.htm">Na'omi</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-9.htm">Ruler</a><div class="vheading2">Ruth 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-4.htm">Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-6.htm">Naomi, returning homeward</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-8.htm">dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-14.htm">Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly received</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ruth/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ruth/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ruth/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“Do not call me Naomi,” she replied.</b><br>Naomi's name means "pleasant" or "delightful," reflecting a positive and joyful character. Her request to change her name signifies a profound transformation in her identity due to her circumstances. In biblical times, names held significant meaning and were often reflective of one's life experiences or divine purpose. Naomi's insistence on a name change indicates her deep sense of loss and sorrow, as she feels her life no longer aligns with the meaning of "Naomi."<p><b>“Call me Mara,”</b><br>The name "Mara" means "bitter." By choosing this name, Naomi expresses the depth of her grief and the bitterness she feels after losing her husband and sons. This change is symbolic of her perception of her life as being filled with hardship and suffering. The use of "Mara" connects to the Israelites' experience in <a href="/exodus/15-23.htm">Exodus 15:23</a>, where they encountered bitter waters at Marah, highlighting themes of trial and divine testing.<p><b>because the Almighty</b><br>The term "Almighty" is translated from the Hebrew "Shaddai," a name for God that emphasizes His power and sovereignty. Naomi acknowledges God's control over her life circumstances, recognizing His authority even in her suffering. This reflects a common biblical theme where individuals attribute their life events, both good and bad, to God's will, as seen in the stories of Job and Joseph.<p><b>has dealt quite bitterly with me.</b><br>Naomi attributes her misfortunes to God's actions, expressing a belief that her suffering is a direct result of divine intervention. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of God's involvement in the personal and communal aspects of life. Her statement echoes the lament tradition found in the Psalms, where individuals openly express their grievances to God. Despite her bitterness, Naomi's acknowledgment of God's role in her life suggests an underlying faith, as she continues to engage with Him even in her distress.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/naomi.htm">Naomi</a></b><br>Originally from Bethlehem, Naomi is a central figure in the Book of Ruth. Her name means "pleasant" in Hebrew, reflecting her past life before the tragedies she faced.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/mara.htm">Mara</a></b><br>Naomi chooses to be called Mara, which means "bitter" in Hebrew, signifying her feelings of grief and loss after the deaths of her husband and sons.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_almighty.htm">The Almighty (Shaddai)</a></b><br>A name for God that emphasizes His power and sovereignty. Naomi attributes her suffering to the Almighty's will, reflecting her deep sense of loss and the belief that God is in control of all circumstances.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethlehem.htm">Bethlehem</a></b><br>Naomi's hometown, which she returns to after her time in Moab. Bethlehem is significant as the future birthplace of King David and Jesus Christ.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>The land where Naomi and her family sought refuge during a famine. It represents a place of temporary escape but also of loss for Naomi.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_sovereignty.htm">Understanding God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God is in control, even in times of suffering. Naomi's acknowledgment of the Almighty's role in her life reflects a deep, albeit painful, understanding of God's sovereignty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_naming.htm">The Power of Naming</a></b><br>Names in the Bible often reflect character or circumstances. Naomi's choice to be called Mara shows how deeply her experiences have affected her identity. Consider how we allow circumstances to define us and seek God's perspective on our true identity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_journey_from_bitterness_to_redemption.htm">The Journey from Bitterness to Redemption</a></b><br>Naomi's account does not end in bitterness. Her journey is a reminder that God can transform our most painful experiences into accounts of redemption and hope.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a></b><br>Naomi's return to Bethlehem and the support she receives from Ruth and the community highlight the importance of seeking and providing support during difficult times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Despite her bitterness, Naomi's return to Bethlehem is an act of faith. It encourages us to take steps of faith even when we don't see the full picture of God's plan.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ruth_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ruth 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_naomi_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Naomi in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_ruth_and_boaz's_story_important.htm">What is the significance of Ruth and Boaz's story?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_suffering_lead_to_bitterness.htm">If suffering builds character, why do some people suffer so much that they become bitter instead?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_skeptical_theism_say_on_divine_hiddenness.htm">What does the Bible say about mental health?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ruth/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">Call me not Naomi, call me Mara.</span>--Here we have one of the constant plays on words and names found in the Hebrew Bible. <span class= "ital">Naomi, </span>we have already said, means <span class= "ital">pleasant, </span>or, perhaps, strictly, <span class= "ital">my pleasantness. Mara </span>is <span class= "ital">bitter, </span>as in <a href="/exodus/15-23.htm" title="And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.">Exodus 15:23</a>. The latter word has no connection with Miriam or Mary, which is from a different root.<p><span class= "bld">The Almighty.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">Shaddai. </span>According to one derivation of the word, "He who is All Sufficient," all sufficing; the God who gives all things in abundance is He who takes back (see Note on <a href="/genesis/17-1.htm" title="And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be you perfect.">Genesis 17:1</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Hath dealt very bitterly.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">hemar, </span>referring to the preceding Mara. The pleasantness and joys of life are at an end for me, my dear ones passed away, bitterness and sadness are now my lot.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ruth/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And she said to them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.</span> Salutations were respectfully addressed to her as she walked along in quest of some humble abode. And when thus spoken to by the sympathetic townspeople, she was called, of course, by her old <span class="accented">sweet</span> name. But as it fell in its own rich music on her ears, its original import flashed vividly upon her mind. Her heart "filled" at the contrast which her circumstances represented, and she said, "Address me not as Naomi, call not to me (<span class="hebrew">לֵי</span>) Naomi: address me as Mara," - that is, <span class="accented">bitter</span>, <span class="accented">-</span> "for the Almighty has caused bitterness to me exceedingly" (see on ver. 2). <span class="accented">The Almighty</span>, or <span class="hebrew">שַׁדַּי</span>, an ancient polytheistic name that had at length - like <span class="hebrew">ךליהִים</span> and <span class="hebrew">אֲדֹנָי</span> ? been reclaimed in all its fullness for the one living and true God. It had become a thorough proper name, and hence it is used without the article. In the Septuagint it is sometimes rendered, as here, <span class="greek">ὁ ἱκανός</span>, <span class="accented">the Sufficient</span>; in Job, where it frequently occurs, <span class="greek">ὁ παντοκράτωρ</span>, <span class="accented">the Omnipotent</span>. But it is one of those peculiar nouns that never can be fully reproduced in any Aryan language, Naomi's theology as indicated in the expression, "the Almighty hath caused bitterness to me exceedingly," need not be to its minutest jot endorsed. God was not the only agent with whom she had had to do. Much of the bitterness of her lot may have been attributable to her husband or to herself, and perhaps to forefathers and foremothers. It is not fair to ascribe all the embittering element of things to God. Much rather might the sweetness, which had so often relieved the bitterness, be traced to the band of him who is "the Lord God, merciful and gracious, abundant in goodness." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ruth/1-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">call</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּקְרֶ֥אנָה</span> <span class="translit">(tiq·re·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me Naomi,”</span><br /><span class="heb">נָעֳמִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(nā·‘o·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5281.htm">Strong's 5281: </a> </span><span class="str2">Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she replied.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Call</span><br /><span class="heb">קְרֶ֤אןָ</span> <span class="translit">(qə·re·nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me Mara,</span><br /><span class="heb">מָרָ֔א</span> <span class="translit">(mā·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4755.htm">Strong's 4755: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mara -- 'bitter', symbolic name of Naomi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Almighty</span><br /><span class="heb">שַׁדַּ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(šad·day)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7706.htm">Strong's 7706: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has dealt quite bitterly</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵמַ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(hê·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4843.htm">Strong's 4843: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, bitter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with me.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ruth/1-20.htm">OT History: Ruth 1:20 She said to them Don't call me (Ru Rut.)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ruth/1-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ruth 1:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ruth/1-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ruth 1:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>