Ruth 1:20

“And she said, call me not Naomi, call me Mara, etc.] The one signifying “prosperity”, according to Josephus f26, and the other “grief”; but he is not always correct in his interpretation of Hebrew words, or to be depended on; by this indeed her different states are well enough expressed, and he rightly observes, that she might more justly be called the one than the other; but the words signify, the one “sweet” and pleasant, and the other “bitter”, (see <021523>Exodus 15:23), and the reason she gives confirms it: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me; had wrote bitter things against her, brought bitter afflictions on her, which were very disagreeable to the flesh, as the loss of…”

“See the margin. Similar allusions to the meaning of names are seen in Genesis 27:36; Jeremiah 20:3. The Almighty - שׁדי shadday (see the Genesis 17:1 note). The name “Almighty” is almost unique to the Pentateuch and to the Book of Job. It occurs twice in the Psalms, and four times in the Prophets. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Naomi - Which signifies pleasant, and chearful. Mara - Which signifies bitter or sorrowful. Ruth 1:21”

“1:20 Almighty translates the Hebrew word shadday, which pictures God’s strength and provision. Naomi’s complaint was real, but God provided exactly what she needed (see 4:14-17).”

“Naomi: that is, Pleasant Mara: that is, Bitter the Almighty: Gen 17:1, Gen 43:14; Job 5:17, Job 11:7; Rev 1:8, Rev 21:22 dealt: Job 6:4, Job 19:6; Psa 73:14, Psa 88:15; Isa 38:13; Lam. 3:1-20; Heb 12:11 Ruth 1:21”