BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ruth› Chapter 1› Verse 21

Ruth 1:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Ruth 1:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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?
Ruth 1:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Ruth 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And when she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking unto her.
19So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and [the women] said, Is this Naomi?
20And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara; for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
21I 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?
22So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
← Ruth 1:20Ruth 1:22 →
← Full Chapter 1 Ruth Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I went out full, etc.] Of my husband and children, as the Targum; of children and riches, as Aben Ezra and Jarchi; wherefore some Jewish writers blame her and her husband for going abroad at such a time, and ascribe it to a covetous disposition, and an unwillingness to relieve the poor that came to them in their distress, and therefore got out of the way of them, on account of which they were punished, so Jarchi on (<080101>Ruth 1:1), (see <070215>Judges 2:15) but this is said without any just cause or reason that appears: and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: deprived of her husband, children, and substance; she acknowledges the hand of God in it, and seems not to murmur at it, but…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Lord hath testified against me - The phrase is very commonly applied to a man who gives witness concerning (usually against) another in a court of justice Exodus 20:16; 2 Samuel 1:16; Isaiah 3:9. Naomi in the bitterness of her spirit complains that the Lord Himself turned against her, and was bringing her sins up for judgment. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Ruth 1". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/ruth-1.html. 1870. StudyLight.org &copy;&#160;2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Full - With my husband and sons, and a plentiful estate for our support. Testified - That is, hath borne witness, as it were, in judgment, and given sentence against me. Next: Ruth Chapter 2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and the: Sa1 2:7, Sa1 2:8; Job 1:21 the Lord: Job 10:17, Job 13:26, Job 16:8; Mal 3:5 Ruth 1:22”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ruth 1 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification