Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? New Living Translation But Naomi replied, “Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands? English Standard Version But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Berean Standard Bible But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands? Berean Literal Bible And Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters. Why would you⁺ go with me? Are there still unto me sons in my bowels, that they may be your⁺ husbands? King James Bible And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? New King James Version But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? New American Standard Bible But Naomi said, “Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? NASB 1995 But Naomi said, “Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? NASB 1977 But Naomi said, “Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Legacy Standard Bible But Naomi said, “Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Amplified Bible But Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters, why should you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that may become your husbands? Berean Annotated Bible But Naomi (my delight) replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you⁺ go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your⁺ husbands? Christian Standard Bible But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Am I able to have any more sons who could become your husbands? Holman Christian Standard Bible But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Am I able to have any more sons who could become your husbands? American Standard Version And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Contemporary English Version But she replied, "My daughters, why don't you return home? What good will it do you to go with me? Do you think I could have more sons for you to marry? English Revised Version And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? GOD'S WORD® Translation But Naomi said, "Go back, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Do I have any more sons in my womb who could be your husbands? Good News Translation "You must go back, my daughters," Naomi answered. "Why do you want to come with me? Do you think I could have sons again for you to marry? International Standard Version But Naomi responded, "Go back, my daughters. Why go with me? Are there still sons to be born to me as future husbands for you? NET Bible But Naomi replied, "Go back home, my daughters! There is no reason for you to return to Judah with me! I am no longer capable of giving birth to sons who might become your husbands! New Heart English Bible 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? Webster's Bible Translation And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? shall I bear more sons, that they may be your husbands? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands? World English Bible 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? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Naomi says, “Turn back, my daughters; why do you go with me? Are there yet to me sons in my bowels that they have been to you for husbands? Berean Literal Bible And Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters. Why would you⁺ go with me? Are there still unto me sons in my bowels, that they may be your⁺ husbands? Young's Literal Translation And Naomi saith, 'Turn back, my daughters; why do ye go with me? are there yet to me sons in my bowels that they have been to you for husbands? Smith's Literal Translation And Naomi will say, Turn back, my daughters: wherefore will ye go with me? are yet to me sons in my bowels, and they were to you for husbands? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut she answered them: Return, my daughters: why come ye with me? have I any more sons in my womb, that you may hope for husbands of me? Catholic Public Domain Version But she answered them, “Return, my daughters. Why come with me? Do I have any more sons in my womb, so that you could hope for husbands from me? New American Bible Naomi replied, “Go back, my daughters. Why come with me? Have I other sons in my womb who could become your husbands? New Revised Standard Version But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut Naomi said to them, Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Will I bear sons again that they may be your husbands? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Namei said to them: “Return my daughters. Why go with me again? Shall I have sons and give them to you? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Naomi said: 'Turn back, my daughters; why will ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Brenton Septuagint Translation And Noemin said, Return now, my daughters; and why do ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb to be your husbands? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ruth's Loyalty to Naomi…10and said, “Surely we will return with you to your people.” 11But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands? 12Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons,… Cross References But Naomi replied, 1 Samuel 1:15-17 “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. / Do not take your servant for a wicked woman, for all this time I have been praying out of the depth of my anguish and grief.” / “Go in peace,” Eli replied, “and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him.” 2 Kings 4:27-28 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.” / Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” “Return home, my daughters. Luke 8:39 “Return home and describe how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and proclaimed all over the town how much Jesus had done for him. Mark 5:19 But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.” Genesis 31:3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.” Why would you go with me? 2 Samuel 15:19-21 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. / In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.” / But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!” Genesis 24:58-59 They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she replied. / So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. 2 Kings 2:2-6 and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. / Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.” / And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. … Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands? Deuteronomy 25:5-6 When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. Genesis 38:8-10 Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.” / But Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever he would sleep with his brother’s wife, he would spill his seed on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother. / What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well. Matthew 22:24-30 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. / The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh. … Genesis 38:11 Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house. Genesis 19:31-32 One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man in the land to sleep with us, as is the custom over all the earth. / Come, let us get our father drunk with wine so we can sleep with him and preserve his line.” 1 Samuel 1:8 “Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Genesis 16:2 So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. Genesis 30:1-3 When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?” / Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.” Treasury of Scripture And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will you go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? that they Genesis 38:11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. Deuteronomy 25:5 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. Jump to Previous Bear Body Bowels Daughters Home Husbands Naomi Na'omi Turn WombJump to Next Bear Body Bowels Daughters Home Husbands Naomi Na'omi Turn WombRuth 1 1. Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there4. Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also 6. Naomi, returning homeward 8. dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her 14. Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her 19. The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly received But Naomi replied, Naomi, whose name means "pleasant," is a central figure in the Book of Ruth. Her reply is a response to her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, who initially express their desire to accompany her back to Bethlehem after the death of their husbands. Naomi's response is filled with a sense of resignation and practicality, reflecting the dire circumstances she faces as a widow in a foreign land. Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands? Persons / Places / Events 1. NaomiA widow from Bethlehem who moved to Moab with her husband and sons during a famine. She is now returning to Bethlehem after the death of her husband and sons. 2. Ruth A Moabite woman, Naomi's daughter-in-law, who shows loyalty and devotion to Naomi. 3. Orpah Another Moabite woman and Naomi's daughter-in-law, who initially sets out with Naomi but eventually returns to her people. 4. Moab A region east of the Dead Sea, where Naomi and her family sought refuge during a famine in Israel. 5. Bethlehem Naomi's original home in Judah, to which she plans to return after the deaths of her husband and sons. Teaching Points Understanding Cultural ContextNaomi's question reflects the practice of levirate marriage, where a widow would marry a brother of her deceased husband to preserve the family line. Understanding this helps us grasp the gravity of Naomi's situation and her daughters-in-law's decisions. Faith in Uncertainty Naomi's situation seemed hopeless, yet it sets the stage for God's providence. In our lives, we may face situations that seem bleak, but God can work through them for His purposes. Loyalty and Commitment Ruth's eventual decision to stay with Naomi exemplifies steadfast loyalty. In our relationships, we are called to show commitment and faithfulness, even when it is difficult. God's Sovereignty Despite the personal tragedies Naomi faced, God's sovereign plan was at work, leading to Ruth's inclusion in the lineage of Christ. We can trust that God is in control, even when we cannot see the full picture. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ruth 1:11?2. How does Ruth 1:11 demonstrate Naomi's selflessness and concern for her daughters-in-law? 3. What cultural norms are reflected in Naomi's advice to her daughters-in-law? 4. How does Ruth 1:11 connect to the theme of loyalty in the Bible? 5. In what ways can we show selflessness like Naomi in our relationships today? 6. How does Naomi's perspective in Ruth 1:11 challenge our understanding of God's provision? 7. Why does Naomi urge her daughters-in-law to return home in Ruth 1:11? 8. How does Ruth 1:11 reflect the cultural norms of ancient Israel? 9. What theological implications arise from Naomi's statement in Ruth 1:11? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ruth 1? 11. Who were the Moabites in the Bible? 12. Deuteronomy 25:5–10: Does the levirate marriage requirement conflict with other Biblical passages on remarriage or widows? 13. Does the marriage of Naomi's sons to Moabite women (Ruth 1:4) conflict with restrictions found in Deuteronomy 23:3? 14. Why does Leviticus 12:5 require a longer period of purification for a daughter than for a son, and how is this disparity justified? What Does Ruth 1:11 Mean But Naomi repliedNaomi’s immediate response signals a decisive moment. Having heard the offer of loyalty from her daughters-in-law (Ruth 1:10), she turns to speak plainly. Like Abraham who “rose and went” when God directed him (Genesis 12:1-4), Naomi exercises leadership by making a hard call. Her words aren’t harsh; they’re protective. She recognizes the realism of their situation in Moab and seeks their best interest. Key ideas • Leadership sometimes means dissuading people when the path ahead is harsher than they realize (cf. Luke 14:28-30). • Naomi’s honesty prepares the ground for genuine faith decisions, much as Jesus’ frank words sifted followers in John 6:60-66. Return home, my daughters The invitation is tender: she calls them “my daughters,” not outsiders. Yet she urges them to “return home.” The same verb shûb, “turn back,” dominates this chapter (Ruth 1:6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 21). Naomi’s plea stresses the sensible option: stay where life and family networks remain. Abraham left family for promise (Genesis 12:1); here Naomi tells them to stay for survival. Consider • Ruth and Orpah face a fork in the road reminiscent of Joshua 24:15—choose whom you will serve. • In telling them to go, Naomi models self-denial, echoing Philippians 2:4, looking to the interests of others. Why would you go with me? Naomi presses the rhetorical question, exposing the cost. Going with her means embracing widowhood, poverty, and uncertain status in Bethlehem. Like Jesus’ question “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67), Naomi’s inquiry invites heart examination. Highlights • True commitment endures when every practical incentive is removed (Job 13:15). • Naomi’s realism counters any romantic notion of faith; discipleship is costly (Luke 9:57-62). Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands? Under the Levirate custom (Deuteronomy 25:5-10) a brother-in-law could marry the widow to preserve the family line. Naomi bluntly states the impossibility: she has no more sons, nor prospects of bearing any. Her statement underscores utter hopelessness in human terms. Implications • Salvation’s answer cannot arise from human ability; God must intervene (compare Genesis 18:11-14 about Sarah’s barrenness). • Naomi’s emptiness sets the stage for God to fill, foreshadowing the eventual birth of Obed, grandfather of David (Ruth 4:13-17), and ultimately Messiah (Matthew 1:1-16). summary Ruth 1:11 captures Naomi’s compassionate, clear-eyed counsel to her daughters-in-law. She loves them enough to urge the sensible route, highlighting the cost of attaching themselves to her. The verse exposes human emptiness and paves the way for God’s unexpected provision. Where human resources end, divine redemption begins. (11) The advice of Naomi thus far is insufficient to shake the affectionate resolve of the two women. She then paints the loneliness of her lot. She has no more sons, and can hope for none; nay, if sons were to be even now born to her, what good would that do them? Still her lot is worse than theirs. They, in spite of their great loss, are young, and from their mothers' houses they may again go forth to homes of their own. She, old, childless, and solitary, must wend her weary way back to live unaided as best she may.Verse 11. - And Naomi said, Turn back, my daughters. To what purpose should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that might be husbands to you? According to the old Levirate law - a survival of rude and barbarous times - Orpah and Ruth, having had husbands who died without issue, would have been entitled to claim marriage with their husbands' brothers, if such surviving brothers there had been (see Deuteronomy 25:5-9; Matthew 22:24-28). And if the surviving brothers were too young to be married, the widows, if they chose, might wait on till they reached maturity (see Genesis 38.). It is in the light of these customs that we are to read Naomi's remonstrance's. The phraseology in the second interrogation is very primitive, and primitively ' agglutinative.' "Are there yet to be sons in my womb, and they shall be to you for husbands?" (see on ver. 1).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But Naomiנָעֳמִי֙ (nā·‘o·mî) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5281: Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth replied, וַתֹּ֤אמֶר (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Return home, שֹׁ֣בְנָה (šō·ḇə·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again my daughters. בְנֹתַ֔י (ḇə·nō·ṯay) Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 1323: A daughter Why לָ֥מָּה (lām·māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what would you go תֵלַ֖כְנָה (ṯê·laḵ·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk with me? עִמִּ֑י (‘im·mî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 5973: With, equally with [Are] there still הַֽעֽוֹד־ (ha·‘ō·wḏ-) Adverb Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more sons בָנִים֙ (ḇā·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1121: A son in my womb בְּֽמֵעַ֔י (bə·mê·‘ay) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 4578: The intestines, the abdomen, sympathy, a vest, the stomach, the uterus, the heart to become וְהָי֥וּ (wə·hā·yū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be your husbands? לַאֲנָשִֽׁים׃ (la·’ă·nā·šîm) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person Links Ruth 1:11 NIVRuth 1:11 NLT Ruth 1:11 ESV Ruth 1:11 NASB Ruth 1:11 KJV Ruth 1:11 BibleApps.com Ruth 1:11 Biblia Paralela Ruth 1:11 Chinese Bible Ruth 1:11 French Bible Ruth 1:11 Catholic Bible OT History: Ruth 1:11 Naomi said Turn again my daughters: why (Ru Rut.) |
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