Ruth 1:20-21

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 1:20

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:21

I went out full ,.... Of my husband and children, as the Targum; of children and riches, as Aben Ezra and Jarchi; wherefore some Jewish writers blame her and her husband for going abroad at such a time, and ascribe it to a covetous disposition, and an unwillingness to relieve the poor that came to them in their distress, and therefore got out of the way of them, on account of which they were punished, so Jarchi on 1:1 , see Judges 2:15 but this is said without any just cause or reason... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ruth 1:21

I went out full - Having a husband and two sons. The Lord hath brought me home again empty - Having lost all three by death. It is also likely that Elimelech took considerable property with him into the land of Moab; for as he fled from the face of the famine, he would naturally take his property with him; and on this Naomi subsisted till her return to Bethlehem, which she might not have thought of till all was spent. 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 1:19-21

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:20

And she said to them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. Salutations were respectfully addressed to her as she walked along in quest of some humble abode. And when thus spoken to by the sympathetic townspeople, she was called, of course, by her old sweet name. But as it fell in its own rich music on her ears, its original import flashed vividly upon her mind. Her heart "filled" at the contrast which her circumstances represented, and she... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:21

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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:21

"I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty." It seemed, indeed, a via dolorosa , this path homeward. How expressive the words. I. LOVE MAKES LIFE FULL . Why, I thought they went out poor? Yes. Seeking bread? Yes. Yet Naomi's description is true and beautiful. We are "full" when we have that which makes home, home indeed, and we are poor if, having all wealth of means, we have not love. Well, indeed, has it been said that "the golden moments in the stream of... read more

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