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Ruth 1:11 But Naomi replied, "Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands?
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Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ruth/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Naomi replied, “Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ruth/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ruth/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? <i>are</i> there yet <i>any more</i> sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ruth/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? <i>Are</i> there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ruth/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Naomi said, “Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But Naomi said, “Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But Naomi said, “Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ruth/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But Naomi said, “Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ruth/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters, why should you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that may become your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ruth/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Am I able to have any more sons who could become your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ruth/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Am I able to have any more sons who could become your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ruth/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ruth/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But she replied, "My daughters, why don't you return home? What good will it do you to go with me? Do you think I could have more sons for you to marry? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ruth/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ruth/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But Naomi said, "Go back, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Do I have any more sons in my womb who could be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ruth/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"You must go back, my daughters," Naomi answered. "Why do you want to come with me? Do you think I could have sons again for you to marry? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ruth/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But Naomi responded, "Go back, my daughters. Why go with me? Are there still sons to be born to me as future husbands for you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ruth/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Naomi replied, ?Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ruth/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But Naomi replied, "Go back home, my daughters! There is no reason for you to return to Judah with me! I am no longer capable of giving birth to sons who might become your husbands!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ruth/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Naomi said, "Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ruth/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? shall I bear more sons, that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ruth/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ruth/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Naomi says, “Turn back, my daughters; why do you go with me? Are there yet to me sons in my bowels that they have been to you for husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ruth/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Naomi saith, 'Turn back, my daughters; why do ye go with me? are there yet to me sons in my bowels that they have been to you for husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ruth/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Naomi will say, Turn back, my daughters: wherefore will ye go with me? are yet to me sons in my bowels, and they were to you for husbands?<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 answered them: Return, my daughters: why come ye with me? have I any more sons in my womb, that you may hope for husbands of me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ruth/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But she answered them, “Return, my daughters. Why come with me? Do I have any more sons in my womb, so that you could hope for husbands from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ruth/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Naomi replied, “Go back, my daughters. Why come with me? Have I other sons in my womb who could become your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ruth/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ruth/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But Naomi said to them, Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Will I bear sons again that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ruth/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Namei said to them: “Return my daughters. Why go with me again? Shall I have sons and give them to you?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ruth/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Naomi said: 'Turn back, my daughters; why will ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ruth/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Noemin said, Return now, my daughters; and why do ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb to be your husbands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ruth/1-11.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=97" 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">Ruth's Loyalty to Naomi</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>and said, “Surely we will return with you to your people.” <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><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.">But 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.">replied,</a> <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/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: ṯê·laḵ·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-2fp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">would you go</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·mî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with me?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ha·‘ō·wḏ- (Adv) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more.">Are there still</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> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4578.htm" title="4578: bə·mê·‘ay (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Internal organs, inward parts, belly. ">in my womb</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">to become</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">your</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: la·’ă·nā·šîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">husbands?</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>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,…<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="/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11</a></span><br />Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-6</a></span><br />When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/19-31.htm">Genesis 19:31-32</a></span><br />One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man in the land to sleep with us, as is the custom over all the earth. / Come, let us get our father drunk with wine so we can sleep with him and preserve his line.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-8.htm">1 Samuel 1:8</a></span><br />“Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Genesis 16:2</a></span><br />So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1-3</a></span><br />When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?” / Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8-9</a></span><br />Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am. / But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-14.htm">1 Timothy 5:14</a></span><br />So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Matthew 22:24-28</a></span><br />“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. / The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-19.htm">Mark 12:19-23</a></span><br />“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children. / Then the second one married the widow, but he also died and left no children. And the third did likewise. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-28.htm">Luke 20:28-33</a></span><br />“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless. / Then the second ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/38-26.htm">Genesis 38:26</a></span><br />Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-2.htm">1 Samuel 9:2</a></span><br />And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/1-1.htm">1 Kings 1:1-4</a></span><br />Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm. / So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.” / Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/4-1.htm">Isaiah 4:1</a></span><br />In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own bread and provide our own clothes. Just let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will you go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?</p><p class="hdg">that they</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11</a></b></br> Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren <i>did</i>. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5</a></b></br> If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/13-7.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/judges/14-9.htm">Body</a> <a href="/numbers/5-22.htm">Bowels</a> <a href="/ruth/1-8.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/ruth/1-9.htm">Home</a> <a href="/ruth/1-9.htm">Husbands</a> <a href="/ruth/1-8.htm">Naomi</a> <a href="/ruth/1-8.htm">Na'omi</a> <a href="/ruth/1-8.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/judges/16-17.htm">Womb</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ruth/1-12.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/ruth/3-3.htm">Body</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-12.htm">Bowels</a> <a href="/ruth/1-12.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/ruth/1-12.htm">Home</a> <a href="/ruth/1-13.htm">Husbands</a> <a href="/ruth/1-15.htm">Naomi</a> <a href="/ruth/1-18.htm">Na'omi</a> <a href="/ruth/1-12.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-5.htm">Womb</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>But Naomi replied,</b><br>Naomi, whose name means "pleasant," is a central figure in the Book of Ruth. Her reply is a response to her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, who initially express their desire to accompany her back to Bethlehem after the death of their husbands. Naomi's response is filled with a sense of resignation and practicality, reflecting the dire circumstances she faces as a widow in a foreign land.<p><b>Return home, my daughters.</b><br>Naomi's use of "my daughters" indicates a deep affection and familial bond with Ruth and Orpah, despite their Moabite origin. The term "return home" suggests a cultural expectation for widows to return to their father's house or seek new marriages within their own community. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern customs where family and kinship ties were crucial for survival and social stability.<p><b>Why would you go with me?</b><br>Naomi questions the logic of Ruth and Orpah accompanying her, highlighting the bleak prospects she can offer them. This rhetorical question underscores Naomi's awareness of her inability to provide for them, as she herself is returning to Bethlehem in a state of poverty and uncertainty. It also reflects the cultural norm that a widow's best chance for security was through remarriage.<p><b>Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands?</b><br>This phrase refers to the practice of levirate marriage, where a man would marry his deceased brother's widow to produce offspring in the brother's name (<a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-10</a>). Naomi is pointing out the impossibility of providing new husbands for Ruth and Orpah, as she has no more sons. This highlights the cultural and legal structures of the time, which placed significant importance on lineage and inheritance. Naomi's rhetorical question emphasizes her hopelessness and the lack of future prospects for her daughters-in-law if they remain with her.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/naomi.htm">Naomi</a></b><br>A widow from Bethlehem who moved to Moab with her husband and sons during a famine. She is now returning to Bethlehem after the death of her husband and sons.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/r/ruth.htm">Ruth</a></b><br>A Moabite woman, Naomi's daughter-in-law, who shows loyalty and devotion to Naomi.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/o/orpah.htm">Orpah</a></b><br>Another Moabite woman and Naomi's daughter-in-law, who initially sets out with Naomi but eventually returns to her people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>A region east of the Dead Sea, where Naomi and her family sought refuge during a famine in Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethlehem.htm">Bethlehem</a></b><br>Naomi's original home in Judah, to which she plans to return after the deaths of her husband and sons.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_cultural_context.htm">Understanding Cultural Context</a></b><br>Naomi's question reflects the practice of levirate marriage, where a widow would marry a brother of her deceased husband to preserve the family line. Understanding this helps us grasp the gravity of Naomi's situation and her daughters-in-law's decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_uncertainty.htm">Faith in Uncertainty</a></b><br>Naomi's situation seemed hopeless, yet it sets the stage for God's providence. In our lives, we may face situations that seem bleak, but God can work through them for His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/loyalty_and_commitment.htm">Loyalty and Commitment</a></b><br>Ruth's eventual decision to stay with Naomi exemplifies steadfast loyalty. In our relationships, we are called to show commitment and faithfulness, even when it is difficult.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite the personal tragedies Naomi faced, God's sovereign plan was at work, leading to Ruth's inclusion in the lineage of Christ. We can trust that God is in control, even when we cannot see the full picture.<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_were_the_moabites_in_the_bible.htm">Who were the Moabites in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_levirate_marriage_conflict_biblically.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5–10: Does the levirate marriage requirement conflict with other Biblical passages on remarriage or widows? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_purification_longer_for_daughters.htm">Why does Leviticus 12:5 require a longer period of purification for a daughter than for a son, and how is this disparity justified?</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>(11) The advice of Naomi thus far is insufficient to shake the affectionate resolve of the two women. She then paints the loneliness of her lot. She has no more sons, and can hope for none; nay, if sons were to be even now born to her, what good would that do them? Still her lot is worse than theirs. They, in spite of their great loss, are young, and from their mothers' houses they may again go forth to homes of their own. She, old, childless, and solitary, must wend her weary way back to live unaided as best she may.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ruth/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Naomi said, Turn back, my daughters. To what purpose should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that might be husbands to you?</span> According to the old Levirate law - a survival of rude and barbarous times - Orpah and Ruth, having had husbands who died without issue, would have been entitled to claim marriage with their husbands' brothers, if such surviving brothers there had been (see <a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-9</a>; <a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Matthew 22:24-28</a>). And if the surviving brothers were too young to be married, the widows, if they chose, might wait on till they reached maturity (see <a href="/genesis/38.htm">Genesis 38</a>.). It is in the light of these customs that we are to read Naomi's remonstrance's. The phraseology in the second interrogation is very primitive, and primitively ' agglutinative.' "Are there yet to be sons in my womb, and they shall be to you for husbands?" (see on ver. 1). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ruth/1-11.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">But Naomi</span><br /><span class="heb">נָעֳמִי֙</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">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֹּ֤אמֶר</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">“Return home,</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁ֣בְנָה</span> <span class="translit">(šō·ḇə·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my daughters.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנֹתַ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·nō·ṯay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> </span><span class="str2">A daughter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֥מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would you go</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵלַ֖כְנָה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯê·laḵ·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with me?</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמִּ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Are] there still</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽעֽוֹד־</span> <span class="translit">(ha·‘ō·wḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5750.htm">Strong's 5750: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בָנִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in my womb</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּֽמֵעַ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mê·‘ay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4578.htm">Strong's 4578: </a> </span><span class="str2">The intestines, the abdomen, sympathy, a vest, the stomach, the uterus, the heart</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to become</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָי֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your husbands?</span><br /><span class="heb">לַאֲנָשִֽׁים׃</span> <span class="translit">(la·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ruth/1-11.htm">OT History: Ruth 1:11 Naomi said Turn again my daughters: why (Ru Rut.)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ruth/1-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ruth 1:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ruth/1-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ruth 1:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:12" /></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>