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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ruth 1:12 Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ruth/1-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/08_Rut_01_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ruth 1:12 - Ruth's Loyalty to Naomi" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ruth/1-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ruth/1-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ruth/">Ruth</a> > <a href="/ruth/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ruth/1-11.htm" title="Ruth 1:11">◄</a> Ruth 1:12 <a href="/ruth/1-13.htm" title="Ruth 1:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/ruth/1.htm">New International Version</a> Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— <a href="/nlt/ruth/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what? <a href="/esv/ruth/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, <a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, <a href="/kjv/ruth/1.htm">King James Bible</a> Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; <a href="/nkjv/ruth/1.htm">New King James Version</a> Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, <a href="/nasb_/ruth/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I were even to have a husband tonight and also give birth to sons, <a href="/nasb/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons, <a href="/nasb77/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons, <a href="/lsb/ruth/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons, <a href="/amp/ruth/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Go back, my daughters, go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, and if I actually had a husband tonight and even gave birth to sons, <a href="/csb/ruth/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, <a href="/hcsb/ruth/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, <a href="/asv/ruth/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should even have a husband to-night, and should also bear sons; <a href="/cev/ruth/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You must go back home, because I am too old to marry again. Even if I got married tonight and later had more sons, <a href="/erv/ruth/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should even have an husband to-night, and should also bear sons; <a href="/gwt/ruth/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Go back, my daughters. Go, because I am too old to get married again. If I said that I still have hope.... And if I had a husband tonight.... And even if I gave birth to sons, <a href="/gnt/ruth/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> Go back home, for I am too old to get married again. Even if I thought there was still hope, and so got married tonight and had sons, <a href="/isv/ruth/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> So go on back, my daughters! Be on your way! I'm too old to remarry. If I were to say that I'm hoping for a husband tonight and then also bore sons this very night, <a href="/msb/ruth/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, <a href="/net/ruth/1.htm">NET Bible</a> Go back home, my daughters! For I am too old to get married again. Even if I thought that there was hope that I could get married tonight and conceive sons, <a href="/nheb/ruth/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Go back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, 'I have hope,' if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons; <a href="/wbt/ruth/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband also to-night, and should also bear sons; <a href="/web/ruth/1.htm">World English Bible</a> Go back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, ‘I have hope,’ if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ruth/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Turn back, my daughters, go, for I am too aged to be to a husband; though I had said, There is for me hope, also, I have been tonight to a husband, and also I have borne sons: <a href="/ylt/ruth/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Turn back, my daughters, go, for I am too aged to be to a husband; though I had said, There is for me hope, also, I have been to-night to a husband, and also I have borne sons: <a href="/slt/ruth/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Turn back, my daughters, therefore; for I grew old from being for a husband. If I said, There is hope to me, also I was this night to a husband, and also I bare sons;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ruth/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Return again, my daughters, and go your ways: for I am now spent with age, and not fit for wedlock. Although I might conceive this night, and bear children, <a href="/cpdv/ruth/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Return, my daughters, go forth. For I am now exhausted by old age, and not fit for the bond of marriage. Even if I were to conceive on this night, and bear sons, <a href="/nabre/ruth/1.htm">New American Bible</a> Go, my daughters, for I am too old to marry again. Even if I had any such hope, or if tonight I had a husband and were to bear sons, <a href="/nrsvce/ruth/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ruth/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Turn back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, and even if I should have a husband, and should also bear sons; <a href="/hpbt/ruth/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Return, my daughters, because I am too old to have a husband, that I would say, ‘I will have hope again”, and a man would have me and I would bear sons<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ruth/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Turn back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say: I have hope, should I even have an husband to-night, and also bear sons; <a href="/sep/ruth/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Turn now, my daughters, for I am too old to be married: for I said, Suppose I were married, and should bear sons; <a href="/parallel/ruth/1-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LT1nlCXT1mU?start=106" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">Ruth's Loyalty to Naomi</a> …11But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands? 12<a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šō·ḇə·nāh (V-Qal-Imp-fp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">Return home,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: ḇə·nō·ṯay (N-fpc:: 1cs) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">my daughters.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lê·ḵə·nā (V-Qal-Imp-fp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">Go on,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/2204.htm" title="2204: zā·qan·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To be or become old. A primitive root; to be old.">I am too old</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: mih·yō·wṯ (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">to have</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: lə·’îš (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">another husband.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Even if</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">I thought</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: yeš- (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">there was</a> <a href="/hebrew/8615.htm" title="8615: ṯiq·wāh (N-fs) -- A cord, expectancy. From qavah; literally, a cord (compare qaveh); figuratively, expectancy.">hope</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">for me</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yî·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">to have</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: lə·’îš (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">a husband</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: hal·lay·lāh (Art:: N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">tonight</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: yā·laḏ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">to bear</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇā·nîm (N-mp) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">sons,</a> 13would you wait for them to grow up? Would you refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/18-11.htm">Genesis 18:11-12</a> And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” <a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17</a> Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” <a href="/genesis/21-7.htm">Genesis 21:7</a> She added, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” <a href="/1_samuel/1-5.htm">1 Samuel 1:5-6</a> But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. / Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her. <a href="/1_samuel/1-20.htm">1 Samuel 1:20</a> So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.” <a href="/2_kings/4-14.htm">2 Kings 4:14-17</a> So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.” / “Call her,” said Elisha. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. / And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.” ... <a href="/job/42-12.htm">Job 42:12-13</a> So the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his first. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. / And he also had seven sons and three daughters. <a href="/isaiah/54-1.htm">Isaiah 54:1</a> “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. <a href="/isaiah/56-3.htm">Isaiah 56:3-5</a> Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” / For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— / I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. <a href="/luke/1-7.htm">Luke 1:7</a> But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. <a href="/luke/1-18.htm">Luke 1:18</a> “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” <a href="/luke/1-36.htm">Luke 1:36-37</a> Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. / For no word from God will ever fail.” <a href="/romans/4-19.htm">Romans 4:19</a> Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. <a href="/romans/9-9.htm">Romans 9:9</a> For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” <a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Hebrews 11:11-12</a> By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. / And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;too old<a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Genesis 17:17</a> Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?<a href="/1_timothy/5-9.htm">1 Timothy 5:9</a> Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,I should have.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ruth/1-11.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/ruth/1-11.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/ruth/1-11.htm">Home</a> <a href="/genesis/48-11.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/1_john/3-3.htm">Hopes</a> <a href="/ruth/1-9.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/judges/20-5.htm">Night</a> <a href="/judges/20-5.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/judges/19-6.htm">Tonight</a> <a href="/joshua/2-2.htm">To-Night</a> <a href="/ruth/1-11.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/ruth/1-7.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/12-3.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/ruth/1-13.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/ruth/1-21.htm">Home</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-29.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-28.htm">Hopes</a> <a href="/ruth/2-1.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/ruth/3-2.htm">Night</a> <a href="/ruth/4-4.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/ruth/3-2.htm">Tonight</a> <a href="/ruth/3-2.htm">To-Night</a> <a href="/ruth/1-15.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-18.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Ruth 1</div>1. <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there</a> 4. <a href="/ruth/1-4.htm">Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also</a> 6. <a href="/ruth/1-6.htm">Naomi, returning homeward</a> 8. <a href="/ruth/1-8.htm">dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her</a> 14. <a href="/ruth/1-14.htm">Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her</a> 19. <a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly received</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Return home, my daughters. Naomi addresses her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, urging them to return to their own families in Moab. This reflects the cultural norm of the time, where widows would often return to their father's house for support. Naomi's use of "my daughters" indicates a deep familial bond, despite the lack of blood relation. This phrase also highlights the theme of loyalty and family ties, which is central to the Book of Ruth.Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Naomi acknowledges her advanced age, which in the cultural context of ancient Israel, would make remarriage unlikely. This reflects the societal expectations and limitations placed on widows. Naomi's statement underscores her sense of hopelessness and the practical realities of her situation, as she cannot provide new husbands for her daughters-in-law through Levirate marriage, a practice where a brother of a deceased man would marry the widow to continue the family line (<a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-10</a>).Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, Naomi presents a hypothetical scenario to emphasize the improbability of her situation. The mention of "hope" contrasts with her earlier expression of despair, highlighting the depth of her predicament. The reference to bearing sons is significant in the context of Levirate marriage, as it would be necessary for her to have sons to provide husbands for Orpah and Ruth. This phrase also foreshadows the miraculous provision and redemption that will come later in the narrative, pointing to God's providence and the eventual lineage leading to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ (<a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Matthew 1:5-16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/n/naomi.htm">Naomi</a> A widow from Bethlehem who moved to Moab during a famine. She is the mother-in-law of Ruth and Orpah. 2. <a href="/topical/r/ruth.htm">Ruth</a> A Moabite woman, Naomi's daughter-in-law, who shows loyalty and faithfulness to Naomi. 3. <a href="/topical/o/orpah.htm">Orpah</a> Another Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi, who eventually returns to her people. 4. <a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a> A region east of the Dead Sea, where Naomi and her family sought refuge during a famine. 5. <a href="/topical/b/bethlehem.htm">Bethlehem</a> Naomi's original home, to which she plans to return after the death of her husband and sons.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_despair.htm">The Reality of Despair</a> Naomi's words reflect a deep sense of hopelessness. It's important to acknowledge that even faithful believers can experience moments of despair. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_relationships.htm">Faithfulness in Relationships</a> Despite Naomi's bleak outlook, Ruth's loyalty exemplifies steadfast love and commitment, which are central to Christian relationships. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_redemption.htm">God's Sovereignty and Redemption</a> Naomi's situation seems dire, yet it sets the stage for God's redemptive work through Ruth, reminding us that God can bring hope from hopelessness. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community.htm">The Role of Community</a> Naomi's plea for her daughters-in-law to return home highlights the importance of community and support during times of crisis. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a> Naomi's lack of hope for a future husband or sons contrasts with the eventual unfolding of God's plan, teaching us to trust in His timing and provision.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ruth_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ruth 1</a> <a href="/q/key_events_in_ruth's_story.htm">What are the key events in Ruth's story?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_naomi_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Naomi in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_interracial_marriage.htm">What is the Bible's stance on interracial marriage?</a> <a href="/q/does_ruth_1_4_conflict_with_deut._23_3.htm">Does the marriage of Naomi's sons to Moabite women (Ruth 1:4) conflict with restrictions found in Deuteronomy 23:3?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ruth/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - Turn back, my daughters, go; for I am too old to have a husband. But even if I could say, I have hope; yea, even if I had a husband this very night; yea, even if I had already given birth to sons; (ver. 13) would ye therefore wait till they grew up? would ye therefore shut yourselves up so as not to have husbands? nay, my daughters; for my lot is exceedingly bitter, more than even yours, for the hand of Yahveh has gone out against me. Most pathetic pleading, and not easily reproduced on lines of literal rendering. "Go, for I am too old to have a husband." A euphemistic rendering; but the original is euphemistic too, though under another phraseological phase. "But even if I could say, I have hope." The poverty of the Hebrew verb, in respect of provision to express "moods, ' is conspicuous: "that," i.e. "suppose that I said, I have hope." Mark the climactic representation. Firstly, Naomi makes, for argument's sake, the supposition that she might yet have sons; then, secondly, she carries her supposition much higher, namely, that she might that very night have a husband; and then, thirdly, she carries the supposition a great deal higher still, namely, that even already her sons were brought forth: "Would you therefore wait?" Note the therefore. Ibn Ezra, the Septuagint, the Vulgate, and King James's version assume that לָהֵן means for them. The feminine pronoun, however, as applied to Naomi's sons, is, on that supposition, all but inexplicable. It is much better to assume, with the majority of modern critics, that it is equivalent to לָכֵן, whether we call it a Chaldaism or not. Certainly it was current in Chaldee (see <a href="/daniel/2-6.htm">Daniel 2:6, 9</a>). But it may have floated in circles of Semitic society that were never included within Chaldaea proper. Indeed, there were no precise limits bounding off the Chaldee language from the kindred dialects, just as there are no such limits in English or in German, or in any member of a linguistic group. Idioms often overlap. In the two interrogative clauses, "Would ye for that purpose wait till they grew up. Would ye for that purpose seclude, yourselves, so as not to have husbands? there is a parallelism; only, in the second clause, the representation rises. "For my lot is exceedingly bitter, more than even yours;" literally, "for it is bitter to me exceedingly, beyond you." The verb is used impersonally. Naomi means that her case was even more lamentable than theirs, so that she could not encourage them to hang their dependence on her help, or to hope for a retrieval of their circumstances in becoming partakers of her fortunes. The translation of King James's version, "for your sakes," though decidedly supported by the Septuagint, is unnatural. Pagnin and Drusius both give the correct rendering, "more than you." So do Michaelis and Wright, But Bertheau and Gesenius agree with King James s version. The Syriac Peshito, strange to say, gives both translations, "I feel very bitterly for you, and to me it is more bitter than to you." <a href="/commentaries/ruth/1-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Return home, שֹׁ֤בְנָה (šō·ḇə·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again my daughters. בְנֹתַי֙ (ḇə·nō·ṯay) Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> A daughter Go on, לֵ֔כְןָ (lê·ḵə·nā) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk for כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction I am too old זָקַ֖נְתִּי (zā·qan·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2204.htm">Strong's 2204: </a> To be or become old to have מִהְי֣וֹת (mih·yō·wṯ) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be another husband. לְאִ֑ישׁ (lə·’îš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person Even if כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction I thought אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ (’ā·mar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say there was יֶשׁ־ (yeš-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> Being, substance, existence, is hope תִקְוָ֔ה (ṯiq·wāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8615.htm">Strong's 8615: </a> A cord, expectancy for me לִ֣י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> to have הָיִ֤יתִי (hā·yî·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a husband לְאִ֔ישׁ (lə·’îš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person tonight הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙ (hal·lay·lāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> A twist, night, adversity and גַּ֣ם (gam) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and to bear יָלַ֥דְתִּי (yā·laḏ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage sons, בָנִֽים׃ (ḇā·nîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ruth/1-12.htm">Ruth 1:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ruth/1-12.htm">OT History: Ruth 1:12 Turn again my daughters go your way (Ru Rut.)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ruth/1-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ruth 1:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ruth/1-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ruth 1:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:13" /></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>