Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” New Living Translation I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” English Standard Version I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” Berean Standard Bible I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.” Berean Literal Bible I went out full, and YHWH has brought me back empty. Why do you⁺ call me Naomi, since YHWH has testified against me, and Shaddai has afflicted me?” King James Bible I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? New King James Version I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” New American Standard Bible I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” NASB 1995 “I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” NASB 1977 “I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” Legacy Standard Bible I went out full, but Yahweh has caused me to return empty. Why do you call me Naomi? Yahweh has answered against me, and the Almighty has brought calamity against me.” Amplified Bible I left full [with a husband and two sons], but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” Berean Annotated Bible I went away full, but the LORD {YHWH} has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi (my delight)? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me. Christian Standard Bible I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has opposed me, and the Almighty has afflicted me? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has pronounced judgment on me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” American Standard Version I went out full, and Jehovah hath brought me home again empty; why call ye me Naomi, seeing Jehovah hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? Contemporary English Version I had everything when I left, but the LORD has brought me back with nothing. How can you still call me Naomi, when God has turned against me and made my life so hard?" English Revised Version I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? GOD'S WORD® Translation I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi when the LORD has tormented me and the Almighty has done evil to me?" Good News Translation When I left here, I had plenty, but the LORD has brought me back without a thing. Why call me Naomi when the LORD Almighty has condemned me and sent me trouble?" International Standard Version I left here full, but the LORD brought me back empty. So why call me 'Naomi'? After all, the LORD is against me, and the Almighty has broken me." NET Bible I left here full, but the LORD has caused me to return empty-handed. Why do you call me 'Naomi,' seeing that the LORD has opposed me, and the Sovereign One has caused me to suffer?" New Heart English Bible I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and Shaddai has afflicted me?" Webster's Bible Translation I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.” World English Bible I went out full, and Yahweh has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since Yahweh has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI went out full, and YHWH has brought me back empty, why do you call me Naomi, and YHWH has testified against me, and the Almighty has done evil to me?” Berean Literal Bible I went out full, and YHWH has brought me back empty. Why do you⁺ call me Naomi, since YHWH has testified against me, and Shaddai has afflicted me?” Young's Literal Translation I went out full, and empty hath Jehovah brought me back, why do ye call me Naomi, and Jehovah hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath done evil to me?' Smith's Literal Translation I went away full, and Jehovah turned me back empty; wherefore will ye call to me Naomi, and Jehovah humbled me, and the Almighty did evil to me? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI went out full, and the Lord hath brought me back empty. Why then do you call me Noemi, whom the Lord hath humbled and the Almighty hath afflicted? Catholic Public Domain Version I went out full and the Lord led me back empty. So then, why call me Naomi, whom the Lord has humbled and the Almighty has afflicted?” New American Bible I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why should you call me ‘Sweet,’ since the LORD has brought me to trial, and the Almighty has pronounced evil sentence on me.” New Revised Standard Version I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty; why call me Naomi when the LORD has dealt harshly with me, and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor I went forth from here full, and the LORD has brought me back empty; why then call me Naomi, seeing the LORD has humbled me, and has sorely afflicted me? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated For I went from here full and LORD JEHOVAH has returned me empty, and why therefore do you call you me Namei, for LORD JEHOVAH has humbled me, and from what opportunity he has had, he has afflicted me!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me back home empty; why call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?' Brenton Septuagint Translation I went out full, and the Lord has brought me back empty: and why call ye me Noemin, whereas the Lord has humbled me and the Mighty One has afflicted me? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Return to Bethlehem…20“Do not call me Naomi,” she replied. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me. 21I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.” 22So Naomi returned from the land of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess. And they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.… Cross References I went away full, Deuteronomy 8:10 When you eat and are satisfied, you are to bless the LORD your God for the good land that He has given you. Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it. 1 Samuel 2:5 The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away. but the LORD has brought me back empty. Lamentations 1:13 He sent fire from on high, and it overpowered my bones. He spread a net for my feet and turned me back. He made me desolate, faint all the day long. Job 1:21 saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Haggai 1:6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.” Why call me Naomi? Isaiah 62:4 No longer will you be called Forsaken, nor your land named Desolate; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be His bride. 1 Samuel 4:21-22 And she named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God had been captured and her father-in-law and her husband had been killed. / “The glory has departed from Israel,” she said, “for the ark of God has been captured.” Hosea 1:9 And the LORD said, “Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not My people, and I am not your God. After all, the LORD has testified against me, Psalm 50:7 “Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God. Deuteronomy 31:26 “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you. Job 16:8 You have bound me, and it has become a witness; my frailty rises up and testifies against me. and the Almighty has afflicted me.” Job 6:4 For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. Lamentations 3:32-33 Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. / For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men. Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them. Job 30:15-16 Terrors are turned loose against me; they drive away my dignity as by the wind, and my prosperity has passed like a cloud. / And now my soul is poured out within me; days of affliction grip me. Treasury of Scripture I went out full and the LORD has brought me home again empty: why then call you me Naomi, seeing the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me? and the 1 Samuel 2:7,8 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up… Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. the Lord Job 10:17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me. Job 13:26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth. Job 16:8 And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face. Jump to Previous Afflicted Almighty Calamity Empty Home Misfortune Naomi Na'omi Testified Witness WitnessedJump to Next Afflicted Almighty Calamity Empty Home Misfortune Naomi Na'omi Testified Witness WitnessedRuth 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 I went away full Naomi reflects on her departure from Bethlehem to Moab during a time of famine. "Full" signifies not only material wealth but also the presence of her family—her husband and two sons. This phrase highlights the initial hope and prosperity she felt, contrasting with her current state. The move to Moab, a land often at odds with Israel, was a significant decision, showing the desperation of the times (Ruth 1:1). The fullness she refers to is both physical and relational, emphasizing the loss she has experienced. but the LORD has brought me back empty Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me. Persons / Places / Events 1. NaomiA central figure in the Book of Ruth, Naomi is a widow who returns to Bethlehem from Moab after the death of her husband and sons. Her name means "pleasant," but she feels her life has become bitter. 2. Bethlehem The town in Judah to which Naomi returns. It is significant as the birthplace of King David and later Jesus Christ. 3. Moab A region east of the Dead Sea, where Naomi and her family had moved during a famine in Bethlehem. It was often seen as a place of exile or foreignness for Israelites. 4. Mara The name Naomi chooses for herself upon returning to Bethlehem, meaning "bitter," reflecting her feelings of loss and emptiness. 5. The Almighty (Shaddai) A name for God used by Naomi, emphasizing His power and sovereignty, even in her suffering. Teaching Points Understanding God's SovereigntyNaomi's acknowledgment of God's role in her circumstances ("The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me") invites believers to trust in God's sovereignty, even when life seems harsh. Identity and Transformation Naomi's name change to Mara reflects her internal struggle. Believers are encouraged to find their identity in Christ, who transforms bitterness into joy. Community and Support Naomi's return to Bethlehem and the support she receives from Ruth and the community highlight the importance of fellowship and support in times of trial. Faith in Adversity Naomi's account encourages believers to maintain faith and hope, trusting that God can bring redemption and purpose out of suffering. God's Provision Despite Naomi's emptiness, God's provision is evident through Ruth's loyalty and the eventual blessings that unfold, reminding believers of God's faithfulness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ruth 1:21?2. How does Ruth 1:21 illustrate the consequences of straying from God's path? 3. What does Naomi's statement reveal about her understanding of God's sovereignty? 4. How can Ruth 1:21 encourage us to trust God during personal hardships? 5. Compare Naomi's feelings in Ruth 1:21 with Job's trials. What similarities exist? 6. How should we respond when we feel "empty" as Naomi did in Ruth 1:21? 7. Why does Naomi feel the LORD has brought her back empty in Ruth 1:21? 8. How does Ruth 1:21 reflect on God's sovereignty and human suffering? 9. What historical context explains Naomi's lament in Ruth 1:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ruth 1? 11. What does the Bible say about mental health? 12. What does Ruth reveal about God's character and actions? 13. What lessons does Ruth's story teach about loyalty and faith? 14. Who was Elimelech in the Bible? What Does Ruth 1:21 Mean I went away full- Naomi is remembering the day she left Bethlehem with Elimelech and their two sons (Ruth 1:1-2). - Her “fullness” lay chiefly in family relationships, not in material security; love made her life rich (cf. Proverbs 15:17). - Scripture often calls family a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5), so Naomi rightly sensed abundance when those loved ones were near. - God had promised covenant blessings for His people in their land (Deuteronomy 28:6), and Naomi felt she possessed those blessings when her household was intact. but the LORD has brought me back empty - After ten hard Moabite years, every earthly support she depended on—husband and sons—was gone (Ruth 1:3-5). - Naomi recognizes God’s sovereignty; she does not credit random tragedy but says, “the LORD has brought me back” (cf. Job 1:21). - The “emptiness” highlights her vulnerable status: widowed, childless, and poor (Exodus 22:22-24 underscores God’s concern for such affliction). - Her words mirror Israel’s laments when discipline fell (Lamentations 1:20), yet in Scripture lament is often the first step toward renewed hope. Why call me Naomi? - “Naomi” means “pleasant,” but her present circumstances feel anything but pleasant. - Biblical names often reflect God’s work or a person’s life story (Genesis 32:28; Matthew 1:21). - By questioning her name, she is vocalizing the tension between God’s past kindness and her present pain, a tension many believers feel (Psalm 13:1-2). - She is not renouncing faith; she is confessing honest grief before the covenant community (Galatians 6:2). After all, the LORD has testified against me - “Testified” pictures a courtroom: Naomi feels the Lord has given evidence against her, judging her situation. - Israel knew blessing for obedience and discipline for disobedience (Leviticus 26:14-16). Naomi interprets her loss through that covenant lens. - The prophets use similar language when national sin brings judgment (Micah 6:2). - Even so, God’s testimonies ultimately aim at restoration, not destruction (Hosea 6:1). and the Almighty has afflicted me - “Almighty” (Shaddai) stresses God’s absolute power; Naomi acknowledges nothing happens outside His hand (Psalm 115:3). - Affliction in Scripture can refine faith (Isaiah 48:10; 2 Corinthians 4:17). - Her words echo Job’s lament (Job 30:20, 24) yet Job’s story—and Ruth’s—show the Lord weaving suffering into eventual blessing. - Standing in Bethlehem, Naomi is unaware that God is already turning her affliction into future joy through Ruth and the lineage leading to David and, ultimately, Christ (Ruth 4:13-17; Matthew 1:5-6). summary Naomi’s statement layers honest grief with unshaken belief in God’s control. She left Bethlehem feeling blessed by family; she returns feeling stripped of every support. Yet by calling Him “LORD” and “Almighty,” she affirms His sovereignty even while lamenting His discipline. Scripture invites such truthful lament, using it as fertile ground for renewed hope. In Naomi’s emptiness, God is quietly setting the stage for redemption—both for her household and, through her descendant Jesus, for the world. Verse 21. - I went forth full, and Yahveh has caused me to return in emptiness. Why should you call me Naomi, and Yahveh has testified against me, and the Almighty has brought evil upon me? She went forth "full," with husband and sons, not to speak of goods. She was under the necessity of returning in emptiness, or with empty hands. The Hebrew word רֵיקָם does not exactly mean empty, as it is rendered in the Septuagint, the Vulgate, and King James's version. It is not an adjective, but an adverb, emptily. This lamentable change of circumstances she attributed to the action of Yahveh. He had, she believed, been testifying against her by means of the trials through which she had passed. She was right in a certain conditional acceptation of her language; but only on condition of that condition. And, let us condition her declarations as we may, she was probably in danger of making the same mistake concerning herself and her trials which was made by Job's comforters in reference to the calamities by which he was overwhelmed. In so far as penal evil is concerned, it may be traced directly or circuitously to the will and government of God. "Shall there be evil - that is, penal evil - in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?" (Amos 3:6). But there are many sufferings that are not penal. The evil that is penal is only one segment of physical evil; and then there is besides, metaphysical evil, or the evil that consists in the inevitable imperfection of finite being. It is noteworthy that the participle of the Hiphilic verb הֵרַע employed by Naomi is always translated in King James s version evil doer, or wicked doer, or evil, or wicked, Naomi, in using such a term, and applying it to Yahveh, was walking on a theological precipice, where it is not needful that we should accompany her. Instead of the literal expression, 'and Yahveh, we may, with our English wealth of conjunctions freely say, 'when Yahveh. There is a charm in the original simplicity. There is likewise a charm in the more complex structure of the free translation.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Iאֲנִי֙ (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I went away הָלַ֔כְתִּי (hā·laḵ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk full, מְלֵאָ֣ה (mə·lê·’āh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of but the LORD יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has brought me back הֱשִׁיבַ֣נִי (hĕ·šî·ḇa·nî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again empty. וְרֵיקָ֖ם (wə·rê·qām) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 7387: Emptily, ineffectually, undeservedly Why לָ֣מָּה (lām·māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what call תִקְרֶ֤אנָה (ṯiq·re·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine plural Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read me Naomi, נָעֳמִ֔י (nā·‘o·mî) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5281: Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth since the LORD וַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has testified עָ֣נָה (‘ā·nāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond against me, בִ֔י (ḇî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew and the Almighty וְשַׁדַּ֖י (wə·šad·day) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7706: The Almighty has afflicted הֵ֥רַֽע (hê·ra‘) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad me?” לִֽי׃ (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew Links Ruth 1:21 NIVRuth 1:21 NLT Ruth 1:21 ESV Ruth 1:21 NASB Ruth 1:21 KJV Ruth 1:21 BibleApps.com Ruth 1:21 Biblia Paralela Ruth 1:21 Chinese Bible Ruth 1:21 French Bible Ruth 1:21 Catholic Bible OT History: Ruth 1:21 I went out full and Yahweh has (Ru Rut.) |
    |