Ruth 1:11 - Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ruth 1:11" mean?
This verse from Ruth 1:11 is crucial for understanding the context of the story and Naomi's despair. Let's break it down:
"Naomi said, 'Go back, my daughters.'": Naomi is addressing her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, who are both widows after the deaths of Naomi's sons. Naomi urges them to return to their own families in Moab.
"Why do you want to go with me?": This highlights Naomi's understanding that remaining with her would be a hardship for the women. She has nothing to offer them.
"Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?": This is the key to the verse. It refers to a custom called levirate marriage. In ancient Israelite society, if a man died without an heir, his brother was obligated to marry the widow and produce an heir in the dead man's name. This ensured the continuation of the family line and the inheritance of the deceased. Naomi is pointing out, rhetorically, that she is past childbearing age. She has no more sons who could fulfill this obligation for either Orpah or Ruth.
In essence, Naomi is telling them:
Staying with me offers you nothing.
I am too old to have more sons who could marry you and provide for you according to the law.
You'd be better off returning to your own families and finding new husbands in your homeland.
Significance:
Highlights Naomi's Bitterness and Hopelessness: Naomi feels that God has afflicted her (Ruth 1:13), and she is acutely aware of her desolate state. She sees herself as a burden, not a benefit, to her daughters-in-law.
Sets the Stage for Ruth's Decision: Naomi's words emphasize the sacrifice Ruth is making by choosing to stay with Naomi. It wasn't a light decision; it meant leaving her own family, culture, and potential for a more secure future to cast her lot with a destitute and bitter woman.
Cultural Context: It provides important insights into the social customs and laws of the time, particularly the significance of family lineage and the role of women in ensuring its continuation.
In summary, Ruth 1:11 is a poignant verse that reveals Naomi's despair, highlights the cultural context of levirate marriage, and emphasizes the magnitude of Ruth's commitment to Naomi.
Ruth 1:11 - Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
What does "Ruth 1:11" mean?
This verse from Ruth 1:11 is crucial for understanding the context of the story and Naomi's despair. Let's break it down:
"Naomi said, 'Go back, my daughters.'": Naomi is addressing her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, who are both widows after the deaths of Naomi's sons. Naomi urges them to return to their own families in Moab.
"Why do you want to go with me?": This highlights Naomi's understanding that remaining with her would be a hardship for the women. She has nothing to offer them.
"Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?": This is the key to the verse. It refers to a custom called levirate marriage. In ancient Israelite society, if a man died without an heir, his brother was obligated to marry the widow and produce an heir in the dead man's name. This ensured the continuation of the family line and the inheritance of the deceased. Naomi is pointing out, rhetorically, that she is past childbearing age. She has no more sons who could fulfill this obligation for either Orpah or Ruth.
In essence, Naomi is telling them:
Staying with me offers you nothing.
I am too old to have more sons who could marry you and provide for you according to the law.
You'd be better off returning to your own families and finding new husbands in your homeland.
Significance:
Highlights Naomi's Bitterness and Hopelessness: Naomi feels that God has afflicted her (Ruth 1:13), and she is acutely aware of her desolate state. She sees herself as a burden, not a benefit, to her daughters-in-law.
Sets the Stage for Ruth's Decision: Naomi's words emphasize the sacrifice Ruth is making by choosing to stay with Naomi. It wasn't a light decision; it meant leaving her own family, culture, and potential for a more secure future to cast her lot with a destitute and bitter woman.
Cultural Context: It provides important insights into the social customs and laws of the time, particularly the significance of family lineage and the role of women in ensuring its continuation.
In summary, Ruth 1:11 is a poignant verse that reveals Naomi's despair, highlights the cultural context of levirate marriage, and emphasizes the magnitude of Ruth's commitment to Naomi.