Ruth 1:1-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:8

And Naomi said to her two daughters in law ,.... When they were come, as it is very probable, to the utmost limits of the land of Moab, and to the borders of the land of Israel: go, return each unto her mother's house : the mother's house is mentioned, and not the father's, not because they had no father living; for it is certain Ruth had a father as well as a mother, 2:11 but because mothers are most affectionate to their daughters, and they most conversant together; and because women... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:9

The Lord grant you ,.... Some make a supplement here, the Targum a perfect reward, Aben Ezra an husband; and so Josephus says F3 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 9. sect. 1. , she wished them happier marriages than they had with her sons, who were so soon taken from them; but a supplement seems needless, for what follows is connected with the wish, and contains the sum of it: that you may find rest ; each of you: in the house of her husband ; that is, that they might each of them be blessed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:10

And they said unto her ,.... When they had eased themselves in cries and tears, and had recovered their speech: surely we will return with thee unto thy people ; to be proselyted, as the Targum; not only to dwell with them, but to worship with them. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:11

And Naomi said, turn again, my daughters ,.... Supposing this resolution of theirs only arose from a natural affection, and not from any love to the God or people of Israel; at least doubting whether it was so or not, and willing to try whether anyone, or both of them, were really from a principle of religion inclined to go with her; and desirous that they would thoroughly consider what they did, lest they should repent and apostatize, and bring a reproach upon the true religion: why will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:12

Turn again, my daughters, go your way ,.... This she repeated still to try their affections to her, and especially whether there was any real love to the God of Israel, his people, and worship, but still proceeds upon the same topic: for I am too old to have an husband ; and can never think of marrying again on account of age, nor can you surely ever think I should, at these years I am now arrived to: if I should say I have hope ; of marrying, and bearing children; suppose that: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:13

Would you tarry for them till they were grown ?.... It is not to be thought that they would tarry till she was married and had children, and then till these infants were grown up to men's estate, and be marriageable; for though Tamar tarried for Shelah, yet he was born, and of some years of age, though not a grown man, Genesis 38:11 . would ye stay for them from having husbands ? they were young widows, and it was fit they should marry again; and it could not be imagined that they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:14

And they lifted up their voice, and wept again ,.... Not being able to bear the thought of parting, or that they must be obliged to it: and Orpah kissed her mother in law ; gave her the parting kiss, as the Jews F5 Bereshit Rabba, sect. 70. fol. 62. 4. Shemot, sect. 5. fol. 94. 4. call it; and which was used by other people F6 "----discedens oscula nulla dedi". Ovid. ep. 3. ver. 14. ; but not without affection to her, and took her leave of her, as her kiss testified, since it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:15

And she said ,.... That is, Naomi to Ruth, after Orpah was gone: behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods ; meaning Orpah, who was the wife of her husband's brother, as the word used signifies; she was not only on the road turning back to her own country and people, but to the gods thereof, Baalpeor or Priapus, and Chemosh, Numbers 21:29 from whence Aben Ezra concludes, that she had been a proselyte to the true religion, and had renounced the gods of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:16

And Ruth said, entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee ,.... Do not make use of any arguments to persuade me to go back: or "do not meet me", or "be against me" F8 על תפגעי בי "ne occurras mihi", Vatablus, Rambachius; "ne obstes me", Tigurine version; "ne adverseris mihi", V. L. Drusius; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; do not meet me with objections, or be in my way, or an hinderance to me, in going along with thee; do not be against it, for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:17

Where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried ,.... She was determined to abide with her unto death, and not only was desirous to die as she did, but where she should die; in the same country, cottage, and bed, and be laid in the same grave, in hope of rising together at the resurrection of the just; having no regard at all to the sepulchres of her fathers, which people in all ages and countries have been fond of being laid in, as an honour and happiness. So with the Greeks and... read more

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