Ruth 1:8

And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

And Naomi {H5281} said {H559} unto her two {H8147} daughters in law {H3618}, Go {H3212}, return {H7725} each {H802} to her mother's {H517} house {H1004}: the LORD {H3068} deal {H6213} kindly {H2617} with you, as ye have dealt {H6213} with the dead {H4191}, and with me.

Na'omi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Each of you, go back to your mother's house. May ADONAI show grace to you, as you did to those who died and to me.

Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you to your mother’s home. May the LORD show you loving devotion, as you have shown to your dead and to me.

And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you to her mother’s house: Jehovah deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Commentary

Commentary on Ruth 1:8 KJV

Context of Ruth 1:8

Ruth 1:8 occurs at a pivotal moment in the Book of Ruth. Naomi, having lost her husband Elimelech and her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, while sojourning in Moab, decides to return to her homeland of Judah, specifically Bethlehem. She has heard that "the LORD had visited His people with bread" after a famine. In this verse, Naomi is addressing her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, who are Moabite women and also widows. She is urging them to return to their maternal homes in Moab, believing it is in their best interest to find new husbands and security within their own culture, rather than accompanying her to an uncertain future in Judah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Naomi's Selfless Love: Despite her own profound grief and vulnerability, Naomi's primary concern is for the well-being of her daughters-in-law. Her instruction for them to return home demonstrates a deep, sacrificial love, prioritizing their potential for a future over her own desire for companionship or support.
  • The Nature of *Hesed* (Loyalty/Kindness): This verse introduces a crucial theme that permeates the entire book: *hesed*. Naomi prays that the LORD would "deal kindly" with them, acknowledging that they have already shown remarkable kindness and loyalty ("dealt with the dead, and with me") to their deceased husbands and to her in her distress. This biblical concept of hesed signifies steadfast love, faithfulness, and covenant loyalty, often going beyond what is expected.
  • God's Blessing and Providence: Naomi invokes the LORD (Yahweh), the God of Israel, to bless Orpah and Ruth. Even in her sorrow, she looks to God as the source of true kindness and blessing, trusting Him to provide for those who have shown faithfulness. This foreshadows how God's providential care will be evident throughout the narrative.

Linguistic Insights

The key word in this verse is "kindly," which translates the Hebrew term hesed (חֶסֶד). While often rendered as "kindness," "mercy," or "lovingkindness" in the KJV, hesed carries a richer meaning of loyal love, covenant faithfulness, and active goodness that goes beyond mere sentiment. It describes a deep commitment and devotion, often expressed through concrete actions. Naomi's prayer is not for a fleeting kindness, but for God's enduring and covenantal faithfulness to be extended to her daughters-in-law, reflecting the loyalty they themselves displayed.

Practical Application

Ruth 1:8 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Selfless Relationships: Naomi's example encourages us to prioritize the well-being of others, even when it means personal sacrifice or letting go. True love often involves seeking what is genuinely best for another person.
  • Recognizing and Affirming Goodness: Naomi explicitly commends Orpah and Ruth for their loyalty and kindness. We are called to recognize and affirm the good deeds and faithful character of others, offering encouragement and blessings.
  • Trusting God's *Hesed*: Even in times of hardship and uncertainty, we can pray for and trust in God's steadfast love and faithfulness (His *hesed*) to guide and provide for us and for those we care about. This verse sets the stage for Ruth's unwavering commitment to Naomi, which will ultimately demonstrate this divine *hesed* in action.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ruth 1:5 (5 votes)

    And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

  • Ruth 2:20 (4 votes)

    And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed [be] he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man [is] near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

  • Colossians 3:18 (3 votes)

    ¶ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

  • 2 Timothy 1:16 (2 votes)

    The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

  • 2 Timothy 1:18 (2 votes)

    The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

  • Colossians 3:24 (2 votes)

    Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

  • Ephesians 6:2 (2 votes)

    Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)