And Ruth saith, 'Urge me not to leave thee -- to turn back from after thee; for whither thou goest I go, and where thou lodgest I lodge; thy people is my people, and thy God my God.Ruth 1:16 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the BibleAnd Ruth said - A more perfect surrender was never made of friendly feelings to a friend: I will not leave thee - I will follow thee: I will lodge where thou lodgest - take the same fare with which thou meetest; thy people shall be my people - I most cheerfully abandon my own country, and determine to end my days in thine. I will also henceforth have no god but thy God, and be joined with thee in worship, as I am in affection and consanguinity. I will cleave unto thee even unto death; die where thou diest; and be buried, if possible, in the same grave. This was a most extraordinary attachment, and evidently without any secular motive.
The Targum adds several things to this conversation between Naomi and Ruth. I shall subjoin them: "And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee," for I desire to become a proselyte. And Naomi said, We are commanded to keep the Sabbath and other holy days; and on it not to travel more than two thousand cubits. And Ruth said, "Whither thou goest, I will go." And Naomi said, We are commanded not to lodge with the Gentiles. Ruth answered, "Where thou lodgest, I will lodge." And Naomi said, We are commanded to observe the one hundred and thirteen precepts. Ruth answered, What thy people observe, that will I observe; as if they had been my people of old. And Naomi said, We are commanded not to worship with any strange worship. Ruth answered, "Thy God shall be my God." Naomi said, We have four kinds of capital punishment for criminals; stoning, burning, beheading, and hanging. Ruth answered, "In whatsoever manner thou diest, I will die." Naomi said, We have a house of burial. Ruth answered, "And there will I be buried."
It is very likely that some such conversation as this took place between the elders and those who were becoming proselytes. This verse is famous among those who strive to divine by the Bible. I should relate the particulars, but am afraid they might lead to a continuance of the practice. In my youth I have seen it done, and was then terrified.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ruth A more perfect surrender of friendly feelings to a friend was never made. This was a most extraordinary and disinterested attachment.
Intreat me not. or, Be not against me.
to leave
2 Kings 2:2-6 And Elijah said to Elisha, Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said to him, As the LORD lives...
Luke 24:28,29 And they drew near to the village, where they went: and he made as though he would have gone further...
Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean you to weep and to break my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only...
whither
2 Samuel 15:21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king shall be...
Matthew 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said to him, Master, I will follow you wherever you go.
John 13:37 Peter said to him, Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake.
Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb wherever he goes...
thy people
Ruth 2:11,12 And Boaz answered and said to her, It has fully been showed me...
Psalm 45:10 Listen, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear; forget also your own people, and your father's house;
Isaiah 14:1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land...
thy God
Joshua 24:18 And the LORD drove out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelled in the land...
Daniel 2:47 The king answered to Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets...
Daniel 3:29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach...
Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment...
Hosea 13:4 Yet I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt, and you shall know no god but me: for there is no savior beside me.
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them...
1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had to you...
Ruth 1:16 Parallel Commentaries
Entreat Intreat Leave Requesting Rest Ruth Turn Urge WhitherEntreat Intreat Leave Requesting Rest Ruth Turn Urge WhitherTHE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.Ruth 1:16 Mobile Bible
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