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
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
Are there yet any more sons - This was spoken in allusion to the custom, that when a married brother died without leaving posterity, his brother should take his widow; and the children of such a marriage were accounted the children of the deceased brother. There is something very persuasive and affecting in the address of Naomi to her daughters-in-law. Let us observe the particulars: - She intimates that she had no other sons to give them. That she was not with child; so there... read more
Longing for the old home. Brings to view I. NAOMI 'S RESOLUTION . No wonder that she formed it; for— 1. The ties that bound her to the land of Moab had been snapped by the hand of death. In the death of her husband there was the disruption of the house-band . In the deaths of her two sons who had become husbands , the only other bands or bonds that could keep together for Naomi a home in Moab were burst. Matthew Henry says, "The land of Moab was now become a... read more
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. So King James's version. The expression in the original is broken at the commencement: "And they said to her, For with thee we shall return to thy people." It is as if they had said, "Do not insist on our return to our mothers' homes, for with thee we shall return to thy people ." Note the expression, "we shall return, instead of " we shall go with thee in thy return to thy people." For the moment they identify... read more
Separation. These three women were bound together by the memory of common happiness, by the memory of common sorrows. The proposal that they should part, however reasonable and just, could not but reopen the flood-gates of their grief. Orpah found her consolation in her home in Moab, and Ruth found hers in Naomi's life-long society and affection. But as the three stand before us on the borders of the land, as Naomi begs her daughters-in-law to return, the sorrow and the sanctity of human... read more
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? 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 Deuteronomy 25:5-9 ; Matthew 22:24-28 ). And if the surviving brothers were too young to be... read more
See marginal references and notes. The Levirate law probably existed among the Moabites, and in Israel extended beyond the brother in the strict sense, and applied to the nearest relations, since Boaz was only the kinsman of Elimelech Ruth 3:12. read more
Ruth 1:9-11. That ye may find rest, &c. That ye may be happily settled in houses of your own, with good husbands. That they may be your husbands According to the ancient custom, (Genesis 38:8,) and the express law of God, (Deuteronomy 25:4,) which doubtless she had acquainted them with before, among other branches of the Jewish religion. read more
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Leia no celular
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ruth 1:6-18
See here, I. The good affection Naomi bore to the land of Israel, Ruth 1:6. Though she could not stay in it while the famine lasted, she would not stay out of it when the famine ceased. Though the country of Moab had afforded her shelter and supply in a time of need, yet she did not intend it should be her rest for ever; no land should be that but the holy land, in which the sanctuary of God was, of which he had said, This is my rest for ever. Observe, 1. God, at last, returned in mercy to his... read more