Ruth 1:19-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 1:19-22

Naomi and Ruth, after many a weary step (the fatigue of the journey, we may suppose, being somewhat relieved by the good instructions Naomi gave to her proselyte and the good discourse they had together), came at last to Bethlehem. And they came very seasonably, in the beginning of the barley-harvest, which was the first of their harvests, that of wheat following after. Now Naomi's own eyes might convince her of the truth of what she had heard in the country of Moab, that the Lord had visited... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:19

So they two went until they came to Bethlehem ,.... Went on their way directly till they came to it, without lingering or staying by the way, at least not unnecessarily, and not for any time; and they kept together, though Ruth was a younger woman, and could have gone faster, yet she kept company with her ancient mother, and was no doubt very much edified and instructed by her pious conversation; and it seems that they were alone, only they two; for as they had no camels nor asses to ride... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:20

And she said, call me not Naomi, call me Mara ,.... The one signifying "prosperity", according to Josephus F13 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 9. sect. 2. , and the other "grief"; but he is not always correct in his interpretation of Hebrew words, or to be depended on; by this indeed her different states are well enough expressed, and he rightly observes, that she might more justly be called the one than the other; but the words signify, the one "sweet" and pleasant, and the other "bitter", see ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 1:19

All the city was moved about them - It appears that Naomi was not only well known, but highly respected also at Bethlehem; a proof that Elimelech was of high consideration in that place. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 1:20

Call me not Naomi - That is, beautiful or pleasant. Call me Mara - That is, bitter; one whose life is grievous to her. The Almighty - שדי Shaddai , He who is self-sufficient, has taken away the props and supports of my life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:15-22

Devoted attachment. I. Ruth was fixed in her desire and determination to CAST IS HER LOT WITH HER DESOLATE AND DESTITUTE MOTHER - IN - LAW . The absolute unselfishness of this determination is noteworthy, for— 1. Be it noted that Naomi was not one of those who are always murmuring and complaining because they do not receive sufficient consideration. 2. Still less did she claim as a right, or urge as a duty, that her daughter-in-law should become her... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:19

And they two went— they trudged along, the two of them— until they came to Bethlehem. In the expression "the two of them" the masculine pronoun ( הֶם for הֶן ) occurs, as in Ruth 1:8 and Ruth 1:9 . It mirrors in language the actual facts of relationship in life. The masculine is some- times assumptively representative of both itself and the feminine. And sometimes, even apart from the representative element, it is the overlapping and overbearing gender. And it came to pass, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:19

"So they two went till they came to Bethlehem." "They two!" Sometimes it is husband and wife. Sometimes it is two sisters commencing life together in the great city where they have to earn their bread. Sometimes it is two lovers who have large affection and little means, and who have to wait and work and hope on. Sometimes it is widow and child. "They two!" What unrecorded histories of heroism there are written in God's book all unknown to us. I. HERE IS THE COMMENCEMENT AND ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:19

Never seemed there a sadder contrast. Naomi left Bethlehem in the full bloom of womanhood, with a husband and two sons. Elimelech, her husband, died, we read, "and she was left and her two sons." They took them wives, and, as mothers do, she lived in the hopes and honors of their new homes; but, after dwelling in Moab about ten years, we read Mahlon and Chillon died also, both of them, and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband, A strange land is not so strange when we carry home... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:19-21

Heart wounds reopened. Return after long absence to scenes of youth always affecting; he who returns is changed; they who receive him are changed too. Observe the reception which Naomi met from her former neighbors at Bethlehem. Their question, "Is this Naomi?" evinces— 1. Surprise. She is living! We see her again! Yet how is she changed! 2. Interest. How varied has been her experience whilst absent! And she loves Bethlehem so that she returns to it in her sorrow! 3. ... read more

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