INDIVIDUALS VS THE MAJORITY

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:2

The man’s
הָאִ֣ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

name
וְשֵׁ֣ם (wə·šêm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

was Elimelech,
אֱ‍ֽלִימֶ֡לֶךְ (’ĕlî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 458: Elimelech -- 'God is king', the husband of Naomi

his wife’s
אִשְׁתּ֨וֹ (’iš·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

name
וְשֵׁם֩ (wə·šêm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

was Naomi,
נָעֳמִ֜י (nā·‘o·mî)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5281: Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth

and the names
וְשֵׁ֥ם (wə·šêm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of his two
שְׁנֵֽי־ (šə·nê-)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

sons
בָנָ֣יו ׀ (ḇā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

were Mahlon
מַחְל֤וֹן (maḥ·lō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4248: Mahlon -- the first husband of Ruth

and Chilion.
וְכִלְיוֹן֙ (wə·ḵil·yō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3630: Chilion -- a son of Naomi

They were Ephrathites
אֶפְרָתִ֔ים (’ep̄·rā·ṯîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 673: Ephraimite -- a descendant of Ephraim, also an inhabitant of Ephrath

from
מִבֵּ֥ית (mib·bêṯ)
Preposition
Strong's Hebrew

Bethlehem
לֶ֖חֶם (le·ḥem)
Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1035: Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun

in Judah,
יְהוּדָ֑ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and they entered
וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the land
שְׂדֵי־ (śə·ḏê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7704: Field, land

of Moab
מוֹאָ֖ב (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

and settled
וַיִּֽהְיוּ־ (way·yih·yū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

there.
שָֽׁם׃ (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

• A couple with their two sons settle in Moab!
• They are Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:3

- Naomi’s husband dies!
- Then she stays with her two sons!

Ruth 1:4

- Her two sons marry two moabite women, Orpah and Ruth!
- They live in Moab for ten years!

Ruth 1:5

• Then her two sons die!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:6

When
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

[Naomi] heard
שָֽׁמְעָה֙ (šā·mə·‘āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

in Moab
מוֹאָ֔ב (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

had attended to
פָקַ֤ד (p̄ā·qaḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

His people
עַמּ֔וֹ (‘am·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

by providing
לָתֵ֥ת (lā·ṯêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

them
לָהֶ֖ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

with food,
לָֽחֶם׃ (lā·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

she
הִיא֙ (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

and her daughters-in-law
וְכַלֹּתֶ֔יהָ (wə·ḵal·lō·ṯe·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3618: Daughter-in-law, bride

prepared
וַתָּ֤קָם (wat·tā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

to leave
וַתָּ֖שָׁב (wat·tā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

the land
מִשְּׂדֵ֣י (miś·śə·ḏê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7704: Field, land

of Moab.
מוֹאָ֑ב (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

• So there is food for the Israelites thanks to Yah.weh!
• So Naomi wants to go back to her country with her two daughters-in-law!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:7

• So Naomi and her two daughters-in-law are on their way to Judah!

Ruth 1:8

• Naomi tells her two daughters-in-law to go back to their country!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:9

May the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

enable
יִתֵּ֤ן (yit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

each of you
אִשָּׁ֖ה (’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

to find
וּמְצֶ֣אןָ (ū·mə·ṣe·nā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

security
מְנוּחָ֔ה (mə·nū·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4496: Repose, peacefully, consolation, an abode

in the home
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of your new husband.”
אִישָׁ֑הּ (’î·šāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

And she kissed
וַתִּשַּׁ֣ק (wat·tiš·šaq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5401: To kiss, to equip with weapons

them
לָהֶ֔ן (lā·hen)
Preposition | third person feminine plural
Strong's Hebrew

as they wept
וַתִּבְכֶּֽינָה׃ (wat·tiḇ·ke·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan

aloud
וַתִּשֶּׂ֥אנָה (wat·tiś·śe·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

• For Naomi, her daughters-in-law should go back to their country and get new husbands!
• She thinks that’s the better way for them!
• She will do what she can for herself!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:10

and said,
וַתֹּאמַ֖רְנָה־ (wat·tō·mar·nāh-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Surely
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we will return
נָשׁ֖וּב (nā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

with you
אִתָּ֥ךְ (’it·tāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

to your people.”
לְעַמֵּֽךְ׃ (lə·‘am·mêḵ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

• But they want to stay with Naomi!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:11

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

• But Naomi tells them to leave her and go back to their country to find new husbands!
• That’s the way they were used to!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:12

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

• Naomi keeps on her same traditional speech!
• There was only one way for women at this time: get a husband!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:13

would you wait
תְּשַׂבֵּ֗רְנָה (tə·śab·bê·rə·nāh)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person feminine plural
Strong's 7663: To scrutinize, to expect

for them
הֲלָהֵ֣ן ׀ (hă·lā·hên)
Conjunction
Strong's 3860: Popularly for, if, therefore

to
עַ֚ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

grow up?
יִגְדָּ֔לוּ (yiḡ·dā·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

Would you refrain
תֵּֽעָגֵ֔נָה (tê·‘ā·ḡê·nāh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person feminine plural
Strong's 5702: To shut oneself in or off

from
לְבִלְתִּ֖י (lə·ḇil·tî)
Preposition-l
Strong's 1115: A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until

having
הֱי֣וֹת (hĕ·yō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

husbands?
לְאִ֑ישׁ (lə·’îš)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

No,
אַ֣ל (’al)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

my daughters,
בְּנֹתַ֗י (bə·nō·ṯay)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1323: A daughter

it grieves
מַר־ (mar-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4843: To be, bitter

me
לִ֤י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

very much
מְאֹד֙ (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

for
מִכֶּ֔ם (mik·kem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

your sakes that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the hand
יַד־ (yaḏ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the LORD
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has gone out
יָצְאָ֥ה (yā·ṣə·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

against me.”
בִ֖י (ḇî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

• For Naomi, everything is clear:
• Her two daughters-in-law must leave her and go back to their country and get married to survive!
• It is just a question of survival!
• Her own case is not important!
• She is old!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:14

Again
ע֑וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

they wept
וַתִּבְכֶּ֖ינָה (wat·tiḇ·ke·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan

aloud,
וַתִּשֶּׂ֣נָה (wat·tiś·śe·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

and Orpah
עָרְפָּה֙ (‘ā·rə·pāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6204: Orpah -- sister-in-law of Ruth

kissed
וַתִּשַּׁ֤ק (wat·tiš·šaq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5401: To kiss, to equip with weapons

her mother-in-law {goodbye},
לַחֲמוֹתָ֔הּ (la·ḥă·mō·w·ṯāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2545: Husband's mother

but Ruth
וְר֖וּת (wə·rūṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7327: Ruth -- 'friendship', a Moabite ancestress of David

clung
דָּ֥בְקָה (dā·ḇə·qāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1692: To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit

to her.
בָּֽהּ׃ (bāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

• We must remember that Orpah and Ruth have been married 10 years with Naomi’s sons!
• So they have spent a lot of time with Naomi!
• We can imagine they have developed a strong relationship with her!
• Finally, Orpah goes away!
• But Ruth doesn’t!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:15

“Look,”
הִנֵּה֙ (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

said Naomi,
וַתֹּ֗אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“your sister-in-law
יְבִמְתֵּ֔ךְ (yə·ḇim·têḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 2994: A sister-in-law

has gone back
שָׁ֣בָה (šā·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

her people
עַמָּ֖הּ (‘am·māh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

her gods;
אֱלֹהֶ֑יהָ (’ĕ·lō·he·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

follow
שׁ֖וּבִי (šū·ḇî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

[her] back home.”
אַחֲרֵ֥י (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

• Naomi tells Ruth to do like Orpah, that is go back to her country and find a husband there!
• She is straight in her boots!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:16

But Ruth
רוּת֙ (rūṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7327: Ruth -- 'friendship', a Moabite ancestress of David

replied:
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

urge
תִּפְגְּעִי־ (tip̄·gə·‘î-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 6293: To impinge, by accident, violence, by importunity

me
בִ֔י (ḇî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

to leave you
לְעָזְבֵ֖ךְ (lə·‘ā·zə·ḇêḵ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

[or] to turn
לָשׁ֣וּב (lā·šūḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from following you.
מֵאַחֲרָ֑יִךְ (mê·’a·ḥă·rā·yiḵ)
Preposition-m | second person feminine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

For
כִּ֠י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

wherever
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

you go,
תֵּלְכִ֜י (tê·lə·ḵî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

I will go,
אֵלֵ֗ךְ (’ê·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

and wherever
וּבַאֲשֶׁ֤ר (ū·ḇa·’ă·šer)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you live,
תָּלִ֙ינִי֙ (tā·lî·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

I will live;
אָלִ֔ין (’ā·lîn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

your people
עַמֵּ֣ךְ (‘am·mêḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

will be my people,
עַמִּ֔י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and your God
וֵאלֹהַ֖יִךְ (wê·lō·ha·yiḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

will be my God.
אֱלֹהָֽי׃ (’ĕ·lō·hāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

• But Ruth doesn’t listen to Naomi!
• She is like her, she stays straight in her boots!
• But not only that, she says your people will be my people and your God will be my God!
• Maybe it reminds you of Jesus speaking of people who weren’t Jews but they behaved better!
• And the way Ruth speaks is incredible!
• And with Rahab, they are among the women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy and they are foreigners which is quite exceptional!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:17

Where
בַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר (ba·’ă·šer)
Preposition-b | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you die,
תָּמ֙וּתִי֙ (tā·mū·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

I will die,
אָמ֔וּת (’ā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

and there
וְשָׁ֖ם (wə·šām)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

I will be buried.
אֶקָּבֵ֑ר (’eq·qā·ḇêr)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6912: To inter

May the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

punish
כֹּה֩ (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

me,
יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה (ya·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

and ever so
וְכֹ֣ה (wə·ḵōh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

severely,
יֹסִ֔יף (yō·sîp̄)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

if
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

anything but death
הַמָּ֔וֶת (ham·mā·weṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

separates
יַפְרִ֖יד (yap̄·rîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6504: To break through, spread, separate

you
בֵּינִ֥י (bê·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

and me.”
וּבֵינֵֽךְ׃ (ū·ḇê·nêḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

• Only death will separate Ruth and Naomi!
• Do you understand why she became part of Jesus’ genealogy?
• Ruth is just an incredible woman!
• So special!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:18

When Naomi saw
וַתֵּ֕רֶא (wat·tê·re)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Ruth
הִ֖יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was determined
מִתְאַמֶּ֥צֶת (miṯ·’am·me·ṣeṯ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 553: To be stout, strong, bold, alert

to go
לָלֶ֣כֶת (lā·le·ḵeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with her,
אִתָּ֑הּ (’it·tāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

she stopped
וַתֶּחְדַּ֖ל (wat·teḥ·dal)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle

trying to persuade her.
לְדַבֵּ֥ר (lə·ḏab·bêr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

• Finally, Naomi realized that Ruth is determined to come with her!
• So she stops trying to persuade her!
• She understands Ruth is not going to change!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:19

So [Naomi and Ruth]
שְׁתֵּיהֶ֔ם (šə·tê·hem)
Number - fdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

traveled
וַתֵּלַ֣כְנָה (wat·tê·laḵ·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

they came
בֹּאָ֖נָה (bō·’ā·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Preposition
Strong's Hebrew

Bethlehem.
לָ֑חֶם (lā·ḥem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1035: Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun

When they
וַיְהִ֗י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

entered
כְּבֹאָ֙נָה֙ (kə·ḇō·’ā·nāh)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

Bethlehem,
לֶ֔חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1035: Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun

the whole
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

city
הָעִיר֙ (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

was stirred
וַתֵּהֹ֤ם (wat·tê·hōm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1949: To make an uproar, agitate greatly

because of them,
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ן (‘ă·lê·hen)
Preposition | third person feminine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and the women [of the city] exclaimed,
וַתֹּאמַ֖רְנָה (wat·tō·mar·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Can this
הֲזֹ֥את (hă·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

be Naomi?”
נָעֳמִֽי׃ (nā·‘o·mî)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5281: Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth

• Ruth and Naomi go to Bethlehem!
• The women are surprised that Naomi is back!
• After so long!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:20

“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

call
תִּקְרֶ֥אנָה (tiq·re·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine plural
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

me Naomi,”
נָעֳמִ֑י (nā·‘o·mî)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5281: Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth

she replied.
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Call
קְרֶ֤אןָ (qə·re·nā)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

me Mara,
מָרָ֔א (mā·rā)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 4755: Mara -- 'bitter', symbolic name of Naomi

because
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the Almighty
שַׁדַּ֛י (šad·day)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7706: The Almighty

has dealt quite bitterly
הֵמַ֥ר (hê·mar)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4843: To be, bitter

with me.
לִ֖י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

• Naomi asks women to call her Mara meaning bitter because of what she has lived!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:21

I
אֲנִי֙ (’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

• Naomi is clearly depressed!
• She has lost her two sons!
• She has lost everything!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 1:22

So Naomi
נָעֳמִ֗י (nā·‘o·mî)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5281: Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth

returned
וַתָּ֣שָׁב (wat·tā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from the land
מִשְּׂדֵ֣י (miś·śə·ḏê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7704: Field, land

of Moab
מוֹאָ֑ב (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

with
עִמָּ֔הּ (‘im·māh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

her daughter-in-law
כַלָּתָהּ֙ (ḵal·lā·ṯāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3618: Daughter-in-law, bride

Ruth
וְר֨וּת (wə·rūṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7327: Ruth -- 'friendship', a Moabite ancestress of David

the Moabitess.
הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּ֤ה (ham·mō·w·’ă·ḇî·yāh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4125: Moabite -- descendant of Moab

And they
וְהֵ֗מָּה (wə·hêm·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

arrived
בָּ֚אוּ (bā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

in Bethlehem
לֶ֔חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1035: Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun

at the beginning
בִּתְחִלַּ֖ת (biṯ·ḥil·laṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8462: A commencement, rel, original

of the barley
שְׂעֹרִֽים׃ (śə·‘ō·rîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8184: Barley

harvest.
קְצִ֥יר (qə·ṣîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7105: Severed, harvest, the crop, the time, the reaper, a limb

• According to what Ruth said, she kept staying with her mother-in-law!
• It is harvest time!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 2:1

Now Naomi
וּֽלְנָעֳמִ֞י (ū·lə·nā·‘o·mî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5281: Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth

had a relative
מוֹדַ֣ע (mō·w·ḏa‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

on her husband’s side,
לְאִישָׁ֗הּ (lə·’î·šāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

a prominent
גִּבּ֣וֹר (gib·bō·wr)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

man
אִ֚ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of noble character
חַ֔יִל (ḥa·yil)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

from the clan
מִמִּשְׁפַּ֖חַת (mim·miš·pa·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

of Elimelech,
אֱלִימֶ֑לֶךְ (’ĕ·lî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 458: Elimelech -- 'God is king', the husband of Naomi

whose name
וּשְׁמ֖וֹ (ū·šə·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

[was] Boaz.
בֹּֽעַז׃ (bō·‘az)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1162: Boaz -- 'quickness', an ancestor of David, also a pillar before the temple

- Boaz is Naomi's relative!
- He is prominent!
- he is of noble character!

 

[JLGJLG]

Ruth 2:2

And Ruth
ר֨וּת (rūṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7327: Ruth -- 'friendship', a Moabite ancestress of David

the Moabitess
הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּ֜ה (ham·mō·w·’ă·ḇî·yāh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4125: Moabite -- descendant of Moab

said
וַתֹּאמֶר֩ (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to Naomi,
נָעֳמִ֗י (nā·‘o·mî)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5281: Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth

“Please
נָּ֤א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

let me go
אֵֽלְכָה־ (’ê·lə·ḵāh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

into the fields
הַשָּׂדֶה֙ (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

and glean
וַאֲלַקֳטָּ֣ה‪‬‪‬ (wa·’ă·la·qo·ṭāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 3950: To pick up, to gather, to glean

heads of grain
בַשִׁבֳּלִ֔ים‪‬‪‬ (ḇaš·šib·bo·lîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 7641: A stream, an ear of grain, a branch

behind [someone]
אַחַ֕ר (’a·ḥar)
Adverb
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

in whose
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

sight
בְּעֵינָ֑יו (bə·‘ê·nāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

I may find
אֶמְצָא־ (’em·ṣā-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

favor.”
חֵ֖ן (ḥên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2580: Graciousness, subjective, objective

“Go ahead,
לְכִ֥י (lə·ḵî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

my daughter,”
בִתִּֽי׃ (ḇit·tî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1323: A daughter

Naomi replied.
וַתֹּ֥אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

- Ruth asks Naomi for permission to glean heads of grain after the harvesters!

What is the gleaning behind the harvesters?
“Gleaning” was the practice of going into a recently-harvested field and picking up whatever grain remained. God commanded Israel in Leviticus 19:9-10 to deliberately leave some behind for the poor and needy of the land to get food.