The Hebrew word lâhên, represented by H3860, is a term meaning for them. It appears just 2 times in a single verse, highlighting its specific and rare usage in scripture. The base definition indicates it is derived from a prepositional prefix meaning "to" or "for" and is used to signify "therefore" or, in this context, for them.
The sole biblical appearance of H3860 is in the book of Ruth, where Naomi uses it twice in a rhetorical question to her daughters-in-law Ruth 1:13. She asks if they would wait for them—hypothetical future sons she might bear—to grow up and become their husbands. This usage emphasizes the impossibility of their situation and the depth of Naomi's argument for them to return home, as it grieveth her much for their sakes.
Several related words from its context clarify the meaning of waiting for them:
- H7663 sâbar (to tarry, wait): This word captures the essence of Naomi's question, asking if her daughters-in-law would tarry with hope for sons who do not exist Ruth 1:13. It is used elsewhere to describe how all of creation waits upon God for provision Psalms 104:27.
- H5702 ʻâgan (to stay): This term, meaning to debar from marriage, is used to ask if they would stay unmarried for these hypothetical sons Ruth 1:13. Its only appearance in the dossier is in this exact verse, underscoring the unique social predicament.
- H1431 gâdal (to be grown): This word describes the condition that would need to be met for the waiting to end: the sons would need to be grown Ruth 1:13. The word is more broadly used to describe making something great, such as God magnifying his word Psalms 138:2.
- H376 ʼîysh (husband): This word defines the purpose of their waiting: to gain a husband. Naomi's question is whether they would wait for these future sons to become husbands for them Ruth 1:13. The term is also used to describe the foundational relationship of marriage Genesis 2:24.
The theological weight of H3860 is revealed in its narrative function within a moment of crisis.
- Emptiness and Hopelessness: The repetition of lâhên underscores Naomi's feeling of utter emptiness. She has no sons to offer and therefore no future for them. Her words reflect a state of human despair, as she believes the Lord's hand has gone out against her Ruth 1:13.
- The Limits of Human Obligation: Naomi uses the phrase for them to release her daughters-in-law from any perceived obligation. It marks a moment of difficult love, where she acknowledges that waiting for them (the non-existent sons) is an unreasonable and bitter path that would cause them to be debarred from having husbands Ruth 1:13.
- Providence in Suffering: The phrase is spoken at a low point where Naomi is grieved, a feeling described by the word H4843 mârar. This same root word is used when she asks to be called Mara, because the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with her Ruth 1:20. The use of lâhên thus highlights a human perspective of bitterness that, in the broader narrative, is ultimately answered by God's providence.
In summary, lâhên H3860 is a highly specific term whose meaning is illuminated entirely by its context in Ruth 1:13. While simply meaning for them, its repeated use by Naomi paints a powerful picture of hopelessness, the perceived bitterness of God's hand, and the release from social obligation. It demonstrates how even a simple grammatical phrase, through its placement in the biblical narrative, can convey deep emotional and relational turmoil.
TRV