Ruth 1:13

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.

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.

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."

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.”

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

Context

Ruth 1:13 captures a pivotal moment in the Book of Ruth, as Naomi, devastated by the loss of her husband Elimelech and two sons in Moab, attempts to persuade her Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to return to their own homes. The narrative unfolds as Naomi, having lost her husband Elimelech and two sons in Moab, is returning to Judah. This verse forms part of her emotional argument, where she highlights her inability to provide for them, particularly concerning future husbands and security in a patriarchal society. Her deep grief and sense of personal calamity are evident as she attributes her suffering to divine action.

Key Themes

  • Naomi's Profound Grief and Despair: Naomi's words, "it grieveth me much for your sakes," reveal her overwhelming sorrow and her genuine concern for her daughters-in-law's future. She feels utterly helpless to secure their well-being.
  • The Importance of Marriage and Lineage: In ancient Israelite society, a woman's security, status, and ability to have children were largely tied to marriage. Naomi's question, "Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands?" underscores the critical role of marriage for women's survival and continuation of family lines.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Affliction: Naomi attributes her severe misfortune to "the hand of the LORD is gone out against me." This phrase signifies her belief that God Himself has directly intervened in her life, bringing about her suffering and loss. It reflects a worldview where God is actively involved in human affairs, even in times of great sorrow, as seen in other biblical laments and declarations of God's power over circumstances (e.g., Ruth 1:21).
  • Selfless Concern: Despite her own immense pain, Naomi's primary concern is for Orpah and Ruth, urging them to seek a better life for themselves rather than remain with her in her perceived destitution.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the hand of the LORD is gone out against me" is a powerful idiom in Hebrew, signifying divine judgment or severe affliction. The "hand of the LORD" often denotes God's active power, whether in blessing or judgment. Here, it conveys Naomi's conviction that her trials are not mere chance but a direct consequence of God's will, a common biblical perspective on suffering.

Practical Application

Ruth 1:13 offers several enduring lessons:

  • Empathy in Suffering: It invites us to empathize with those experiencing profound loss and despair, recognizing the depth of their pain and their feeling of abandonment or divine opposition.
  • Acknowledging God's Sovereignty: While Naomi's interpretation of God's hand might seem harsh, it highlights a biblical truth: God is sovereign over all circumstances, even difficult ones. Understanding this can lead to deeper trust, even when His purposes are unclear.
  • The Nature of Selfless Love: Naomi's willingness to release her daughters-in-law, even at her own emotional cost, demonstrates a profound, selfless love that prioritizes their well-being over her own comfort or companionship. This poignant plea sets the stage for Ruth's famous declaration of loyalty in the verses that follow.
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Cross-References

  • Job 19:21 (7 votes)

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

  • Psalms 32:4 (6 votes)

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

  • Judges 2:15 (6 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Psalms 39:9 (3 votes)

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

  • Psalms 39:10 (3 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 5:11 (2 votes)

    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.