Ruth 1:11
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?

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?

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?

Majority 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?

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?

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 Version
And 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?

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 Bible
But 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 Bible
But 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 1917
And 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
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.

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 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.”

1 Corinthians 7:8-9
Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am. / But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Timothy 5:14
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

Matthew 22:24-28
“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. ...

Mark 12:19-23
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children. / Then the second one married the widow, but he also died and left no children. And the third did likewise. ...

Luke 20:28-33
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless. / Then the second ...

Genesis 38:26
Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

1 Samuel 9:2
And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.

1 Kings 1:1-4
Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm. / So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.” / Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. ...

Isaiah 4:1
In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own bread and provide our own clothes. Just let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!”


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.

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Ruth 1
1. Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there
4. 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
The name "Naomi" means "pleasant" in Hebrew, yet her life circumstances have been anything but pleasant. Her reply is a poignant moment of self-awareness and vulnerability. Naomi's response is not just a personal lament but a reflection of the cultural and familial expectations of her time. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a widow's security was often tied to her male relatives, and Naomi's lack of sons underscores her precarious situation.

Return home, my daughters
The phrase "return home" is significant, as it indicates a release from obligation. Naomi refers to Ruth and Orpah as "my daughters," which highlights the deep familial bond that has developed between them, transcending mere in-law relationships. This plea is both an act of selflessness and a recognition of the harsh realities they face. The Hebrew word for "return" (שׁוּב, shuv) is often used in the context of repentance or turning back, suggesting a deeper spiritual journey.

Why would you go with me?
This rhetorical question reveals Naomi's deep sense of hopelessness and her understanding of the cultural norms of levirate marriage, where a brother of a deceased man was expected to marry the widow. Naomi is acutely aware that she has nothing to offer her daughters-in-law in terms of future security or family lineage. Her question is a reflection of her own despair and the societal limitations placed on women of her time.

Are there still sons in my womb
This phrase is a direct reference to the levirate marriage custom, which is outlined in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. Naomi's rhetorical question underscores the impossibility of her providing new husbands for Ruth and Orpah. The imagery of the womb is powerful, symbolizing both life and potential that Naomi feels she no longer possesses. It highlights the cultural importance of progeny and lineage in ancient Israelite society.

to become your husbands?
The concept of marriage here is deeply tied to the idea of security and provision. In the ancient world, a woman's status and protection were often linked to her husband. Naomi's question is not just about the impossibility of her bearing more sons but also about the broader implications of marriage as a means of survival and social standing. This reflects the patriarchal structure of the time, where women's roles and futures were largely determined by their relationships with men.

(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 Naomi
נָעֳמִי֙ (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


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OT History: Ruth 1:11 Naomi said Turn again my daughters: why (Ru Rut.)
Ruth 1:10
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