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Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/ruth/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” <a href="/esv/ruth/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” <a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/kjv/ruth/1.htm">King James Bible</a> I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? <a href="/nkjv/ruth/1.htm">New King James Version</a> I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” <a href="/nasb_/ruth/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” <a href="/nasb/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” <a href="/lsb/ruth/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> I went out full, but Yahweh has caused me to return empty. Why do you call me Naomi? Yahweh has answered against me, and the Almighty has brought calamity against me.” <a href="/amp/ruth/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I left full [with a husband and two sons], but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” <a href="/csb/ruth/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has opposed me, and the Almighty has afflicted me? ” <a href="/hcsb/ruth/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has pronounced judgment on me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?&#8221 <a href="/asv/ruth/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> I went out full, and Jehovah hath brought me home again empty; why call ye me Naomi, seeing Jehovah hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? <a href="/cev/ruth/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I had everything when I left, but the LORD has brought me back with nothing. How can you still call me Naomi, when God has turned against me and made my life so hard?" <a href="/erv/ruth/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? <a href="/gwt/ruth/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi when the LORD has tormented me and the Almighty has done evil to me?" <a href="/gnt/ruth/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> When I left here, I had plenty, but the LORD has brought me back without a thing. Why call me Naomi when the LORD Almighty has condemned me and sent me trouble?" <a href="/isv/ruth/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> I left here full, but the LORD brought me back empty. So why call me 'Naomi'? After all, the LORD is against me, and the Almighty has broken me." <a href="/msb/ruth/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/ruth/1.htm">NET Bible</a> I left here full, but the LORD has caused me to return empty-handed. Why do you call me 'Naomi,' seeing that the LORD has opposed me, and the Sovereign One has caused me to suffer?" <a href="/nheb/ruth/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and Shaddai has afflicted me?" <a href="/wbt/ruth/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? <a href="/web/ruth/1.htm">World English Bible</a> I went out full, and Yahweh has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since Yahweh has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ruth/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> I went out full, and YHWH has brought me back empty, why do you call me Naomi, and YHWH has testified against me, and the Almighty has done evil to me?” <a href="/ylt/ruth/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> I went out full, and empty hath Jehovah brought me back, why do ye call me Naomi, and Jehovah hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath done evil to me?' <a href="/slt/ruth/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> I went away full, and Jehovah turned me back empty; wherefore will ye call to me Naomi, and Jehovah humbled me, and the Almighty did evil to me?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ruth/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me back empty. Why then do you call me Noemi, whom the Lord hath humbled and the Almighty hath afflicted? <a href="/cpdv/ruth/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> I went out full and the Lord led me back empty. So then, why call me Naomi, whom the Lord has humbled and the Almighty has afflicted?” <a href="/nabre/ruth/1.htm">New American Bible</a> I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why should you call me ‘Sweet,’ since the LORD has brought me to trial, and the Almighty has pronounced evil sentence on me.” <a href="/nrsvce/ruth/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty; why call me Naomi when the LORD has dealt harshly with me, and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ruth/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For I went forth from here full, and the LORD has brought me back empty; why then call me Naomi, seeing the LORD has humbled me, and has sorely afflicted me? <a href="/hpbt/ruth/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> For I went from here full and LORD JEHOVAH has returned me empty, and why therefore do you call you me Namei, for LORD JEHOVAH has humbled me, and from what opportunity he has had, he has afflicted me!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ruth/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me back home empty; why call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?' <a href="/sep/ruth/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> I went out full, and the Lord has brought me back empty: and why call ye me Noemin, whereas the Lord has humbled me and the Mighty One has afflicted me? <a href="/parallel/ruth/1-21.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=205" 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">The Return to Bethlehem</a> …20“Do not call me Naomi,” she replied. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me. 21<a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hā·laḵ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">went away</a> <a href="/hebrew/4392.htm" title="4392: mə·lê·’āh (Adj-fs) -- Full. From male'; full or filling; also fulness; adverbially, fully.">full,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">but the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: hĕ·šî·ḇa·nî (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">has brought me back</a> <a href="/hebrew/7387.htm" title="7387: wə·rê·qām (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Emptily, vainly. From reyq; emptily; figuratively ineffectually, undeservedly.">empty.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: ṯiq·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/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">After all, the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ‘ā·nāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To answer, respond.">has testified</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">against me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7706.htm" title="7706: wə·šad·day (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- The Almighty. From shadad; the Almighty.">and the Almighty</a> <a href="/hebrew/7489.htm" title="7489: hê·ra‘ (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to spoil; figuratively, to make good for nothing, i.e. Bad.">has afflicted</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me.”</a> 22So Naomi returned from the land of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess. And they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.…<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="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a> saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” <a href="/job/30-15.htm">Job 30:15-16</a> Terrors are turned loose against me; they drive away my dignity as by the wind, and my prosperity has passed like a cloud. / And now my soul is poured out within me; days of affliction grip me. <a href="/lamentations/3-17.htm">Lamentations 3:17-20</a> My soul has been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. / So I say, “My strength has perished, along with my hope from the LORD.” / Remember my affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the gall. ... <a href="/2_kings/4-27.htm">2 Kings 4:27</a> 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.” <a href="/psalms/88-3.htm">Psalm 88:3-7</a> 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. ... <a href="/psalms/102-9.htm">Psalm 102:9-10</a> For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears / because of Your indignation and wrath, for You have picked me up and cast me aside. <a href="/jeremiah/20-14.htm">Jeremiah 20:14-18</a> 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, ... <a href="/isaiah/49-14.htm">Isaiah 49:14</a> But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!” <a href="/exodus/15-22.htm">Exodus 15:22-24</a> Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the Desert of Shur. For three days they walked in the desert without finding water. / 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?” <a href="/1_samuel/1-10.htm">1 Samuel 1:10-11</a> 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.” <a href="/philippians/4-12.htm">Philippians 4:12</a> I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. <a href="/james/1-9.htm">James 1:9-10</a> The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. / But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-10.htm">2 Corinthians 6:10</a> sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. <a href="/2_corinthians/8-9.htm">2 Corinthians 8:9</a> For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. <a href="/luke/1-53.htm">Luke 1:53</a> He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I went out full and the LORD has brought me home again empty: why then call you me Naomi, seeing the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?and the<a href="/1_samuel/2-7.htm">1 Samuel 2:7,8</a> The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up… <a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a> And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.the Lord<a href="/job/10-17.htm">Job 10:17</a> Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.<a href="/job/13-26.htm">Job 13:26</a> For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.<a href="/job/16-8.htm">Job 16:8</a> And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/10-8.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/ruth/1-20.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-35.htm">Calamity</a> <a href="/judges/7-16.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/ruth/1-12.htm">Home</a> <a href="/numbers/23-21.htm">Misfortune</a> <a href="/ruth/1-20.htm">Naomi</a> <a href="/ruth/1-20.htm">Na'omi</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-18.htm">Testified</a> <a href="/judges/11-10.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/3_john/1-6.htm">Witnessed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/1-8.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-3.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-11.htm">Calamity</a> <a href="/ruth/3-17.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/ruth/3-1.htm">Home</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-4.htm">Misfortune</a> <a href="/ruth/1-22.htm">Naomi</a> <a href="/ruth/1-22.htm">Na'omi</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-16.htm">Testified</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-3.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-13.htm">Witnessed</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>I went away full Naomi reflects on her departure from Bethlehem to Moab during a time of famine. "Full" signifies not only material wealth but also the presence of her family—her husband and two sons. This phrase highlights the initial hope and prosperity she felt, contrasting with her current state. The move to Moab, a land often at odds with Israel, was a significant decision, showing the desperation of the times (<a href="/ruth/1.htm">Ruth 1:1</a>). The fullness she refers to is both physical and relational, emphasizing the loss she has experienced.but the LORD has brought me back empty Naomi attributes her return to the sovereignty of God, acknowledging His control over her circumstances. "Empty" signifies the loss of her husband and sons, as well as her perceived loss of purpose and identity. This reflects the cultural importance of family and lineage in ancient Israel. The emptiness also symbolizes spiritual and emotional desolation, a theme echoed in Job's lament (<a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a>). Naomi's return to Bethlehem, the "house of bread," during the barley harvest (<a href="/ruth/1-22.htm">Ruth 1:22</a>) foreshadows the restoration and provision that God will bring.Why call me Naomi? Naomi's name means "pleasant" or "delightful," and she questions its appropriateness given her current state of bitterness and sorrow. This reflects the biblical theme of names and their significance, as seen in other scriptural accounts where names are changed to reflect new realities or divine encounters (e.g., Abram to Abraham in <a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">Genesis 17:5</a>). Naomi's question underscores her struggle with identity and the impact of her suffering.After all, the LORD has testified against me Naomi perceives her suffering as a divine testimony against her, suggesting a belief in retributive justice common in the Old Testament. This reflects the cultural understanding of God's direct involvement in the fortunes and misfortunes of individuals. The idea of God testifying against someone is seen in the lamentations of Job (<a href="/job/16-8.htm">Job 16:8</a>) and the psalms of David (<a href="/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4</a>), where personal suffering is interpreted as divine judgment.and the Almighty has afflicted me. The use of "Almighty" (Shaddai) emphasizes God's power and authority. Naomi's statement reflects a deep sense of personal affliction and divine chastisement. This aligns with the biblical theme of God as both a source of comfort and a figure of awe-inspiring power, as seen in the narratives of the patriarchs and the prophets. Naomi's lament is a precursor to the redemptive arc that will unfold, pointing to the ultimate restoration and hope found in Christ, who bears our afflictions (<a href="/isaiah/53-4.htm">Isaiah 53:4</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/n/naomi.htm">Naomi</a> A central figure in the Book of Ruth, Naomi is a widow who returns to Bethlehem from Moab after the death of her husband and sons. Her name means "pleasant," but she feels her life has become bitter. 2. <a href="/topical/b/bethlehem.htm">Bethlehem</a> The town in Judah to which Naomi returns. It is significant as the birthplace of King David and later Jesus Christ. 3. <a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a> A region east of the Dead Sea, where Naomi and her family had moved during a famine in Bethlehem. It was often seen as a place of exile or foreignness for Israelites. 4. <a href="/topical/m/mara.htm">Mara</a> The name Naomi chooses for herself upon returning to Bethlehem, meaning "bitter," reflecting her feelings of loss and emptiness. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_almighty.htm">The Almighty (Shaddai)</a> A name for God used by Naomi, emphasizing His power and sovereignty, even in her suffering.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_sovereignty.htm">Understanding God's Sovereignty</a> Naomi's acknowledgment of God's role in her circumstances ("The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me") invites believers to trust in God's sovereignty, even when life seems harsh. <a href="/topical/i/identity_and_transformation.htm">Identity and Transformation</a> Naomi's name change to Mara reflects her internal struggle. Believers are encouraged to find their identity in Christ, who transforms bitterness into joy. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a> Naomi's return to Bethlehem and the support she receives from Ruth and the community highlight the importance of fellowship and support in times of trial. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_adversity.htm">Faith in Adversity</a> Naomi's account encourages believers to maintain faith and hope, trusting that God can bring redemption and purpose out of suffering. <a href="/topical/g/god's_provision.htm">God's Provision</a> Despite Naomi's emptiness, God's provision is evident through Ruth's loyalty and the eventual blessings that unfold, reminding believers of God's faithfulness.<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/what_does_skeptical_theism_say_on_divine_hiddenness.htm">What does the Bible say about mental health?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'eye_has_not_seen'_mean.htm">What does Ruth reveal about God's character and actions?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_ruth_teach_about_loyalty,_faith.htm">What lessons does Ruth's story teach about loyalty and faith?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_elimelech_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Elimelech in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ruth/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 21. - I went forth full, and Yahveh has caused me to return in emptiness. Why should you call me Naomi, and Yahveh has testified against me, and the Almighty has brought evil upon me? She went forth "full," with husband and sons, not to speak of goods. She was under the necessity of returning in emptiness, or with empty hands. The Hebrew word רֵיקָם does not exactly mean empty, as it is rendered in the Septuagint, the Vulgate, and King James's version. It is not an adjective, but an adverb, emptily. This lamentable change of circumstances she attributed to the action of Yahveh. He had, she believed, been testifying against her by means of the trials through which she had passed. She was right in a certain conditional acceptation of her language; but only on condition of that condition. And, let us condition her declarations as we may, she was probably in danger of making the same mistake concerning herself and her trials which was made by Job's comforters in reference to the calamities by which he was overwhelmed. In so far as penal evil is concerned, it may be traced directly or circuitously to the will and government of God. "Shall there be evil - that is, penal evil - in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?" (<a href="/amos/3-6.htm">Amos 3:6</a>). But there are many sufferings that are not penal. The evil that is penal is only one segment of physical evil; and then there is besides, metaphysical evil, or the evil that consists in the inevitable imperfection of finite being. It is noteworthy that the participle of the Hiphilic verb הֵרַע employed by Naomi is always translated in King James s version evil doer, or wicked doer, or evil, or wicked, Naomi, in using such a term, and applying it to Yahveh, was walking on a theological precipice, where it is not needful that we should accompany her. Instead of the literal expression, 'and Yahveh, we may, with our English wealth of conjunctions freely say, 'when Yahveh. There is a charm in the original simplicity. There is likewise a charm in the more complex structure of the free translation. <a href="/commentaries/ruth/1-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>I אֲנִי֙ (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I went away הָלַ֔כְתִּי (hā·laḵ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk full, מְלֵאָ֣ה (mə·lê·’āh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4390.htm">Strong's 4390: </a> To fill, be full of but the LORD יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has brought me back הֱשִׁיבַ֣נִי (hĕ·šî·ḇa·nî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again empty. וְרֵיקָ֖ם (wə·rê·qām) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7387.htm">Strong's 7387: </a> Emptily, ineffectually, undeservedly Why לָ֣מָּה (lām·māh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what call תִקְרֶ֤אנָה (ṯiq·re·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read me Naomi, נָעֳמִ֔י (nā·‘o·mî) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5281.htm">Strong's 5281: </a> Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth since the LORD וַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has testified עָ֣נָה (‘ā·nāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> To answer, respond against me, בִ֔י (ḇî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> and the Almighty וְשַׁדַּ֖י (wə·šad·day) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7706.htm">Strong's 7706: </a> The Almighty has afflicted הֵ֥רַֽע (hê·ra‘) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7489.htm">Strong's 7489: </a> To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad me?” לִֽי׃ (lî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ruth/1-21.htm">Ruth 1:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ruth/1-21.htm">Ruth 1:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ruth/1-21.htm">Ruth 1:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ruth/1-21.htm">Ruth 1:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ruth/1-21.htm">Ruth 1:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ruth/1-21.htm">Ruth 1:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ruth/1-21.htm">Ruth 1:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ruth/1-21.htm">Ruth 1:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ruth/1-21.htm">Ruth 1:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ruth/1-21.htm">Ruth 1:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ruth/1-21.htm">OT History: Ruth 1:21 I went out full and Yahweh has (Ru Rut.)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ruth/1-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ruth 1:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ruth/1-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ruth 1:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:22" /></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>