Ruth 1:21 NIV

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 1:21

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 1:21

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 1:21

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 1:21

The Lord hath testified against me - The phrase is very commonly applied to a man who gives witness concerning (usually against) another in a court of justice Exodus 20:16; 2 Samuel 1:16; Isaiah 3:9. Naomi in the bitterness of her spirit complains that the Lord Himself turned against her, and was bringing her sins up for judgment. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 1:19-21

Ruth 1:19-21. Is this Naomi? Is this she that formerly lived in so much plenty and honour? How marvellously is her condition changed! Call me not Naomi Which signifies pleasant, and cheerful. Call me Mara Which signifies bitter, or sorrowful. I went out full With my husband and sons, and a plentiful estate for our support. Testified That is, hath borne witness, as it were, in judgment, and given sentence against me. Thus she acknowledges that the affliction came from God, and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:1-22

1:1-22 TEN YEARS OF HARDSHIP IN MOABWhen a severe famine struck Israel, Elimelech took his wife Naomi and their two sons across the Jordan and south to the land of Moab, in the hope of finding a living there. But Elimelech died, and within ten years his two sons, who had married Moabite wives, died also (1:1-5).Naomi saw no future for herself in Moab, so, upon hearing that the famine in Israel had passed, she decided to return home. Her daughters-in-law loved her and decided to go with her to... read more

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Ruth 1:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ruth 1:21

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ruth 1:19-21

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ruth 1:1-22

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