Ruth 1:13

KJV

Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Would ye tarry {H7663} for them {H3860} till they were grown {H1431}? would ye stay {H5702} for them {H3860} from having husbands {H376}? nay, my daughters {H1323}; for it grieveth {H4843} me much {H3966} for your sakes that the hand {H3027} of the LORD {H3068} is gone out {H3318} against me.

Complete Jewish Bible

would you wait for them until they grew up? Would you refuse to marry, just for them? No, my daughters. On your behalf I feel very bitter that the hand of ADONAI has gone out against me."

Berean Standard Bible

would you wait for them to grow up? Would you refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.”

American Standard Version

would ye therefore tarry till they were grown? would ye therefore stay from having husbands? nay, my daughters, for it grieveth me much for your sakes, for the hand of Jehovah is gone forth against me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ruth 1:13 captures Naomi's desperate and poignant plea to her Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to return to their own people. Overwhelmed by successive tragedies, Naomi highlights the utter impossibility of her providing them with future husbands or security in a patriarchal society. Her words reveal profound personal grief and a deep conviction that her suffering is not random but a direct divine affliction, reflecting a worldview where God's active hand orchestrates even calamity. This verse underscores the dire circumstances of childless widows in ancient society and sets the emotional stage for Ruth's radical declaration of loyalty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial part of Naomi's second, more insistent attempt to persuade Orpah and Ruth to leave her and return to Moab. It follows their initial refusal to depart after her first blessing and instruction in [Ruth 1:8-10](/ruth/1-8-10 "Ruth 1:8-10 - Naomi's Initial Plea and Daughters-in-Law's Refusal"). Naomi's argument here is intensely pragmatic and bleak, focusing on the social and economic impossibility of their remaining with her as childless widows. Her rhetorical questions about providing future husbands underscore her perceived inability to secure their well-being, directly leading to Orpah's eventual departure and Ruth's unwavering commitment in the verses that immediately follow ([Ruth 1:14-18](/ruth/1-14-18 "Ruth 1:14-18 - Orpah Departs, Ruth Stays")). This verse serves as the emotional climax of Naomi's argument, pushing her daughters-in-law to make a definitive choice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, a woman's identity, security, and social standing were intrinsically linked to marriage and childbearing. Widows, especially childless ones, were extremely vulnerable, often dependent on male relatives for provision and protection. The concept of levirate marriage, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5-10 "Deuteronomy 25:5-10 - Levirate Marriage Law"), offered a potential solution for a childless widow to raise an heir for her deceased husband, but Naomi, having no more sons, could not fulfill this obligation. Her return to Bethlehem-Judah, a place she had left due to famine ([Ruth 1:1](/ruth/1-1 "Ruth 1:1 - Elimelech's Family Moves to Moab")), further highlights the precariousness of their situation. Naomi's lament about "the hand of the LORD" reflects a common ancient Near Eastern belief in divine intervention in all aspects of life, including misfortune and prosperity, attributing both blessings and calamities directly to God's active involvement.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several core themes of the Book of Ruth. It highlights **Naomi's profound grief and despair**, underscoring the devastating impact of loss and famine on a family. Her words, "it grieveth me much for your sakes," reveal her overwhelming sorrow and her genuine concern for her daughters-in-law's future. It emphasizes the **critical importance of marriage and lineage** in ancient patriarchal societies, where a woman's future depended heavily on her marital status and ability to bear children. Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **divine sovereignty and affliction**, as Naomi attributes her suffering directly to God's hand, a sentiment echoed later in her declaration that "the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me" ([Ruth 1:20](/ruth/1-20 "Ruth 1:20 - Naomi's Bitter Lament")). Despite her despair, Naomi's words also convey a **selfless concern** for her daughters-in-law, prioritizing their well-being over her own comfort, which sets the stage for Ruth's exceptional loyalty and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through unexpected means.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grieveth (Hebrew, _mârar'_):** From the primitive root H4843, this word properly means "to trickle" but is used as a denominative from "bitter." It signifies being (causatively, making) bitter, literally or figuratively. In Naomi's context, it conveys a profound, intense, and overwhelming sense of bitterness, sorrow, or affliction. Her use of this term emphasizes the deep emotional and spiritual pain she is experiencing, suggesting not just sadness but a feeling of being utterly crushed by her circumstances. It foreshadows her later self-description as "Mara" (bitter) in [Ruth 1:20](/ruth/1-20 "Ruth 1:20 - Naomi's Name Change to Mara").
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** Derived from H3027, "hand" is a primitive word that in biblical Hebrew serves as a powerful anthropomorphism for God's active power, agency, or intervention. It can signify blessing, protection, or, as here, judgment, affliction, or opposition. The phrase "the hand of the LORD is gone out against me" is a strong idiomatic expression indicating direct divine action, not mere chance. It implies that God has intentionally brought about her suffering, a common theological perspective in ancient Israel concerning calamity, reflecting a belief in divine sovereignty over all aspects of life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Would ye tarry for them till they were grown?":** Naomi poses a rhetorical question, highlighting the impracticality and futility of her daughters-in-law waiting for her to bear more sons. This scenario is biologically impossible given her age and the fact that any such sons would then need to mature before they could potentially serve as husbands through levirate marriage. This underscores the vast amount of time and the insurmountable obstacles involved, emphasizing the hopelessness of their situation if they remained with her.
* **"would ye stay for them from having husbands?":** This rhetorical question reinforces the previous point, emphasizing the profound sacrifice and deprivation her daughters-in-law would endure by remaining unmarried. It points to the critical importance of marriage for a woman's social standing, security, and ability to have children in that culture, all of which Naomi cannot provide. She is acutely aware that by staying, they would forfeit their only realistic path to a secure future and family.
* **"nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes":** Naomi's direct negation ("nay") and heartfelt declaration reveal her deep compassion and sorrow for Orpah and Ruth. Her grief is not merely for herself but is intensified by the prospect of their prolonged suffering and lack of future if they remain with her. This demonstrates her selfless love and genuine concern for their well-being, even amidst her own immense pain and despair.
* **"that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.":** This climactic statement encapsulates Naomi's theological interpretation of her suffering. She perceives her misfortunes—famine, the death of her husband and sons—not as random events but as direct, punitive actions from God. This reflects a common biblical understanding of divine sovereignty, where God is actively involved in both blessing and judgment, even if Naomi's specific interpretation of *why* God is against her might be skewed by her overwhelming grief and limited perspective.

#### Literary Devices
Ruth 1:13 employs several potent literary devices that amplify Naomi's despair and the gravity of the situation. **Rhetorical Questions** ("Would ye tarry...?", "would ye stay...?") are used by Naomi to underscore the sheer impossibility and futility of her daughters-in-law remaining with her, driving home the pragmatic and dire nature of their circumstances. The phrase "the hand of the LORD is gone out against me" is a powerful **Idiom** and **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human action (a hand "going out") to God, vividly conveying divine agency and judgment. This also functions as a form of **Lament**, expressing profound sorrow and a deep sense of divine abandonment or opposition, a common motif in biblical literature where individuals voice their distress to God. The verse's emotional intensity, particularly Naomi's expressed "grief," contributes significantly to the **Pathos** of the narrative, evoking deep sympathy for her plight and setting the stage for Ruth's unwavering loyalty and the eventual turning of God's "hand" from perceived judgment to ultimate blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ruth 1:13 offers a poignant glimpse into the theological worldview of ancient Israel, where suffering was often interpreted as a direct consequence of divine action. Naomi's lament, "the hand of the LORD is gone out against me," reflects a deep-seated belief in God's active sovereignty over all circumstances, even calamity. While her personal interpretation is colored by profound grief and a sense of divine judgment, it underscores the biblical truth that God is intimately involved in human affairs. This verse sets the stage for the unfolding narrative, where God's "hand," though perceived as against Naomi, will ultimately work for her and Ruth's good, demonstrating His providential care even through hardship. It highlights the vulnerability of the marginalized (widows) and the societal structures that shaped their lives, while also foreshadowing the divine provision that will emerge through unexpected faithfulness.

* [Job 6:4](/job/6-4 "Job 6:4 - Job's Lament of God's Arrows")
* [Psalm 32:4](/psalms/32-4 "Psalm 32:4 - God's Hand Heavy")
* [Ruth 1:20-21](/ruth/1-20-21 "Ruth 1:20-21 - Naomi's Bitter Declaration")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ruth 1:13 invites us to confront the raw reality of human suffering and despair, particularly when life's circumstances seem to align against us. Naomi's words resonate with anyone who has felt overwhelmed by loss, helplessness, or a sense that divine favor has been withdrawn. Her selfless concern for her daughters-in-law, even in her deepest pain, challenges us to consider how we can extend compassion and practical care to others, even when our own resources are depleted and our own hope seems dim. This verse also prompts us to reflect on our own theological interpretations of suffering: do we, like Naomi, immediately attribute misfortune to divine judgment, or can we, with the benefit of hindsight and a broader understanding of God's character, discern His redemptive purposes even in the midst of pain? It reminds us that even when we feel God's hand is "against" us, His ultimate plan may be to bring about unexpected blessing and restoration, often through the faithfulness and self-sacrifice of others, echoing the divine pattern of redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically interpret personal suffering or misfortune in your own life? Do you ever feel, like Naomi, that "the hand of the LORD is gone out against me"?**
* **In what ways can we offer practical support and compassionate understanding to those experiencing profound grief and despair, even when we cannot "fix" their situation?**
* **Naomi's primary concern here is for her daughters-in-law's future, prioritizing their well-being over her own comfort. How does her selfless love challenge you to prioritize the needs of others, even when you are personally struggling?**

### FAQ
**Why does Naomi believe "the hand of the LORD is gone out against me"?**

Answer: Naomi attributes her profound suffering—the death of her husband and two sons, and the subsequent destitution and childlessness—to the direct intervention of God. In ancient Israelite theology, God was seen as sovereign over all events, including calamity. The phrase "the hand of the LORD" is a common biblical idiom signifying divine action, whether for blessing or judgment. Naomi's lament reflects a worldview where personal misfortune was often interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure or judgment, a sentiment she reiterates in [Ruth 1:20-21](/ruth/1-20-21 "Ruth 1:20-21 - Naomi's Bitter Lament") when she declares that "the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me." Her grief and despair lead her to a conclusion that, while understandable given her circumstances, may not fully encompass God's broader redemptive purposes, which are revealed later in the narrative.

**What was the significance of marriage and children for women in ancient Israelite society?**

Answer: Marriage and childbearing were absolutely central to a woman's identity, security, and social standing in ancient Israel. A woman's future, her economic stability, and her ability to contribute to the family lineage were almost entirely dependent on her husband and sons. Childless widows, like Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth, were particularly vulnerable, facing destitution and social marginalization. Naomi's rhetorical questions in [Ruth 1:13](/ruth/1-13 "Ruth 1:13 - Naomi's Plea for Her Daughters-in-Law") about "having husbands" underscore this societal reality, as she recognizes that without a husband, her daughters-in-law would have no means of support or a future family. The levirate law ([Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5-10 "Deuteronomy 25:5-10 - Levirate Marriage Law")) existed precisely to address the plight of childless widows, ensuring the continuation of the deceased husband's name and inheritance through his brother.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ruth 1:13, with Naomi's lament that "the hand of the LORD is gone out against me," poignantly foreshadows the ultimate divine "hand" that would be "gone out" not against humanity in judgment, but *for* humanity in redemptive love, in the person of Jesus Christ. Naomi's despair over her inability to provide a future for her daughters-in-law highlights the deep human need for a redeemer, one who can overcome the curses of death, barrenness, and brokenness. While Naomi sees only judgment, the narrative of Ruth ultimately reveals God's providential care, culminating in the birth of Obed, who becomes part of the messianic lineage ([Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Matthew 1:5 - Genealogy of Jesus")). Christ, the true Kinsman-Redeemer, did not merely *feel* for us in our bitterness, but became bitter for us, taking upon Himself the full weight of God's hand of judgment against sin on the cross ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - Suffering Servant")). He is the one who, unlike Naomi's hypothetical sons, truly "grew" and came to maturity, offering Himself as the ultimate "husband" to His bride, the Church, providing eternal security, spiritual lineage, and an inheritance that never fades ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")). Through His sacrifice, the "hand of the LORD" that was against us due to sin has now extended grace, mercy, and new life, fulfilling the desperate longing for a future that Naomi could not provide ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 19:21

Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

Psalms 32:4

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Judges 2:15

Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.

Psalms 38:2

For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.

Psalms 39:9

I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst [it].

Psalms 39:10

Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.

1 Samuel 5:11

So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.