Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— New Living Translation No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what? English Standard Version Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, Berean Standard Bible Return 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, Berean Literal Bible Turn back, my daughters, go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say there is to me hope, and if I should have tonight a husband and also should bear sons, King James Bible Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; New King James Version Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, New American Standard Bible Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I were even to have a husband tonight and also give birth to sons, NASB 1995 “Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons, NASB 1977 “Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons, Legacy Standard Bible Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons, Amplified Bible Go back, my daughters, go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, and if I actually had a husband tonight and even gave birth to sons, Berean Annotated Bible Return 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, Christian Standard Bible Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, Holman Christian Standard Bible Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, American Standard Version Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should even have a husband to-night, and should also bear sons; Contemporary English Version You must go back home, because I am too old to marry again. Even if I got married tonight and later had more sons, English Revised Version Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should even have an husband to-night, and should also bear sons; GOD'S WORD® Translation Go back, my daughters. Go, because I am too old to get married again. If I said that I still have hope.... And if I had a husband tonight.... And even if I gave birth to sons, Good News Translation Go back home, for I am too old to get married again. Even if I thought there was still hope, and so got married tonight and had sons, International Standard Version So go on back, my daughters! Be on your way! I'm too old to remarry. If I were to say that I'm hoping for a husband tonight and then also bore sons this very night, NET Bible Go back home, my daughters! For I am too old to get married again. Even if I thought that there was hope that I could get married tonight and conceive sons, New Heart English Bible Go back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, 'I have hope,' if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons; Webster's Bible Translation Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband also to-night, and should also bear sons; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleReturn 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, World English Bible Go back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, ‘I have hope,’ if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionTurn back, my daughters, go, for I am too aged to be to a husband; though I had said, There is for me hope, also, I have been tonight to a husband, and also I have borne sons: Berean Literal Bible Turn back, my daughters, go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say there is to me hope, and if I should have tonight a husband and also should bear sons, Young's Literal Translation Turn back, my daughters, go, for I am too aged to be to a husband; though I had said, There is for me hope, also, I have been to-night to a husband, and also I have borne sons: Smith's Literal Translation Turn back, my daughters, therefore; for I grew old from being for a husband. If I said, There is hope to me, also I was this night to a husband, and also I bare sons; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleReturn again, my daughters, and go your ways: for I am now spent with age, and not fit for wedlock. Although I might conceive this night, and bear children, Catholic Public Domain Version Return, my daughters, go forth. For I am now exhausted by old age, and not fit for the bond of marriage. Even if I were to conceive on this night, and bear sons, New American Bible Go, my daughters, for I am too old to marry again. Even if I had any such hope, or if tonight I had a husband and were to bear sons, New Revised Standard Version Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTurn back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, and even if I should have a husband, and should also bear sons; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Return, my daughters, because I am too old to have a husband, that I would say, ‘I will have hope again”, and a man would have me and I would bear sons OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Turn back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say: I have hope, should I even have an husband to-night, and also bear sons; Brenton Septuagint Translation Turn now, my daughters, for I am too old to be married: for I said, Suppose I were married, and should bear sons; Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ruth's Loyalty to Naomi…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, 13would you wait for them to grow up? Would you refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.”… Cross References Return home, my daughters. 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. Luke 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Genesis 19:15-16 At daybreak the angels hurried Lot along, saying, “Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” / But when Lot hesitated, the men grabbed his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters. And they led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD’s compassion for them. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Genesis 18:11-12 And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Luke 1:18 “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” Romans 4:19 Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, 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. 1 Timothy 5:14 So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander. Genesis 17:17 Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” Genesis 21:7 She added, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” 1 Samuel 1:5-6 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. / Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her. 1 Samuel 1:20 So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.” 2 Kings 4:14-17 So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.” / “Call her,” said Elisha. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. / And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.” … Job 42:12-13 So the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his first. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. / And he also had seven sons and three daughters. Isaiah 54:1 “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. Treasury of Scripture Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; too old Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? 1 Timothy 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, I should have. Jump to Previous Bear Daughters Home Hope Hopes Husband Night Thought Tonight To-Night Turn WayJump to Next Bear Daughters Home Hope Hopes Husband Night Thought Tonight To-Night Turn WayRuth 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 Return home, my daughters. Naomi addresses her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, urging them to return to their own families in Moab. This reflects the cultural norm of the time, where widows would often return to their father's house for support. Naomi's use of "my daughters" indicates a deep familial bond, despite the lack of blood relation. This phrase also highlights the theme of loyalty and family ties, which is central to the Book of Ruth. 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, Persons / Places / Events 1. NaomiA widow from Bethlehem who moved to Moab during a famine. She is the mother-in-law of Ruth and Orpah. 2. Ruth A Moabite woman, Naomi's daughter-in-law, who shows loyalty and faithfulness to Naomi. 3. Orpah Another Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi, who eventually returns to her people. 4. Moab A region east of the Dead Sea, where Naomi and her family sought refuge during a famine. 5. Bethlehem Naomi's original home, to which she plans to return after the death of her husband and sons. Teaching Points The Reality of DespairNaomi's words reflect a deep sense of hopelessness. It's important to acknowledge that even faithful believers can experience moments of despair. Faithfulness in Relationships Despite Naomi's bleak outlook, Ruth's loyalty exemplifies steadfast love and commitment, which are central to Christian relationships. God's Sovereignty and Redemption Naomi's situation seems dire, yet it sets the stage for God's redemptive work through Ruth, reminding us that God can bring hope from hopelessness. The Role of Community Naomi's plea for her daughters-in-law to return home highlights the importance of community and support during times of crisis. Trust in God's Timing Naomi's lack of hope for a future husband or sons contrasts with the eventual unfolding of God's plan, teaching us to trust in His timing and provision. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ruth 1:12?2. How does Ruth 1:12 demonstrate Naomi's feelings of hopelessness and despair? 3. What can we learn from Naomi's situation about trusting God's timing? 4. How does Naomi's decision in Ruth 1:12 relate to Proverbs 3:5-6? 5. In what ways can we support those who feel like Naomi in Ruth 1:12? 6. How can Ruth 1:12 inspire us to remain faithful during difficult circumstances? 7. What does Ruth 1:12 reveal about Naomi's perspective on hope and future possibilities? 8. How does Ruth 1:12 reflect the cultural context of widowhood in ancient Israel? 9. Why does Naomi urge her daughters-in-law to return home in Ruth 1:12? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ruth 1? 11. What are the key events in Ruth's story? 12. Who was Naomi in the Bible? 13. What is the Bible's stance on interracial marriage? 14. Does the marriage of Naomi's sons to Moabite women (Ruth 1:4) conflict with restrictions found in Deuteronomy 23:3? What Does Ruth 1:12 Mean Return home, my daughters“Return home, my daughters” (Ruth 1:12a) • Naomi speaks tenderly—“my daughters”—affirming genuine affection, not rejection (cf. Ruth 1:8–9). • Home represents familiarity, security, and prospects for remarriage within Moabite culture, whereas following Naomi involves uncertainty in Judah (cf. Genesis 24:58). • Her counsel is practical as well as loving, acknowledging that God ordinarily blesses within established family structures (cf. Proverbs 31:21; 1 Timothy 5:8). Go on, for I am too old to have another husband “Go on, for I am too old to have another husband” (Ruth 1:12b) • Naomi highlights natural limitations: her advanced age makes remarriage and childbearing highly unlikely (cf. Genesis 18:11 regarding Sarah). • She is not doubting God’s power but facing facts so her daughters-in-law can make informed decisions (cf. Luke 14:28—counting the cost). • For widowed women in ancient Israel, remarriage to a kinsman often restored provision and lineage (cf. 1 Timothy 5:9–14). Naomi’s age removes that standard possibility. Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons “Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons” (Ruth 1:12c) • Naomi references the levirate principle: a widow might wait for a dead husband’s brother—or future sons—to grow up and continue the family line (cf. Deuteronomy 25:5–10; Genesis 38:11). • She paints an extreme scenario—remarrying immediately and conceiving that very night—yet even then the daughters-in-law would be years away from relief, underscoring the futility of their staying (cf. Job 14:1–2 on life’s brevity). • Her words underline selfless concern: she releases them from any cultural or emotional obligation so they can seek new beginnings (cf. Philippians 2:4). summary Naomi’s plea in Ruth 1:12 is a loving, realistic release of Orpah and Ruth. Acknowledging her age and the improbability of providing husbands according to levirate custom, she urges them to return home for their own welfare. The verse showcases sacrificial love, honest appraisal of circumstances, and sets the stage for Ruth’s extraordinary commitment that follows. Verse 12. - Turn back, my daughters, go; for I am too old to have a husband. But even if I could say, I have hope; yea, even if I had a husband this very night; yea, even if I had already given birth to sons; (ver. 13) would ye therefore wait till they grew up? would ye therefore shut yourselves up so as not to have husbands? nay, my daughters; for my lot is exceedingly bitter, more than even yours, for the hand of Yahveh has gone out against me. Most pathetic pleading, and not easily reproduced on lines of literal rendering. "Go, for I am too old to have a husband." A euphemistic rendering; but the original is euphemistic too, though under another phraseological phase. "But even if I could say, I have hope." The poverty of the Hebrew verb, in respect of provision to express "moods, ' is conspicuous: "that," i.e. "suppose that I said, I have hope." Mark the climactic representation. Firstly, Naomi makes, for argument's sake, the supposition that she might yet have sons; then, secondly, she carries her supposition much higher, namely, that she might that very night have a husband; and then, thirdly, she carries the supposition a great deal higher still, namely, that even already her sons were brought forth: "Would you therefore wait?" Note the therefore. Ibn Ezra, the Septuagint, the Vulgate, and King James's version assume that לָהֵן means for them. The feminine pronoun, however, as applied to Naomi's sons, is, on that supposition, all but inexplicable. It is much better to assume, with the majority of modern critics, that it is equivalent to לָכֵן, whether we call it a Chaldaism or not. Certainly it was current in Chaldee (see Daniel 2:6, 9). But it may have floated in circles of Semitic society that were never included within Chaldaea proper. Indeed, there were no precise limits bounding off the Chaldee language from the kindred dialects, just as there are no such limits in English or in German, or in any member of a linguistic group. Idioms often overlap. In the two interrogative clauses, "Would ye for that purpose wait till they grew up. Would ye for that purpose seclude, yourselves, so as not to have husbands? there is a parallelism; only, in the second clause, the representation rises. "For my lot is exceedingly bitter, more than even yours;" literally, "for it is bitter to me exceedingly, beyond you." The verb is used impersonally. Naomi means that her case was even more lamentable than theirs, so that she could not encourage them to hang their dependence on her help, or to hope for a retrieval of their circumstances in becoming partakers of her fortunes. The translation of King James's version, "for your sakes," though decidedly supported by the Septuagint, is unnatural. Pagnin and Drusius both give the correct rendering, "more than you." So do Michaelis and Wright, But Bertheau and Gesenius agree with King James s version. The Syriac Peshito, strange to say, gives both translations, "I feel very bitterly for you, and to me it is more bitter than to you."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Return home,שֹׁ֤בְנָה (šō·ḇə·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again my daughters. בְנֹתַי֙ (ḇə·nō·ṯay) Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 1323: A daughter Go on, לֵ֔כְןָ (lê·ḵə·nā) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk for כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I am too old זָקַ֖נְתִּי (zā·qan·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 2204: To be or become old to have מִהְי֣וֹת (mih·yō·wṯ) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be another husband. לְאִ֑ישׁ (lə·’îš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person Even if כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I thought אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ (’ā·mar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 559: To utter, say there was יֶשׁ־ (yeš-) Adverb Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is hope תִקְוָ֔ה (ṯiq·wāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8615: A cord, expectancy for me לִ֣י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew to have הָיִ֤יתִי (hā·yî·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a husband לְאִ֔ישׁ (lə·’îš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person tonight הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙ (hal·lay·lāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity and גַּ֣ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and to bear יָלַ֥דְתִּי (yā·laḏ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage sons, בָנִֽים׃ (ḇā·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1121: A son Links Ruth 1:12 NIVRuth 1:12 NLT Ruth 1:12 ESV Ruth 1:12 NASB Ruth 1:12 KJV Ruth 1:12 BibleApps.com Ruth 1:12 Biblia Paralela Ruth 1:12 Chinese Bible Ruth 1:12 French Bible Ruth 1:12 Catholic Bible OT History: Ruth 1:12 Turn again my daughters go your way (Ru Rut.) |
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