New International VersionReturn 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 TranslationNo, 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 VersionTurn 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 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,
King James BibleTurn 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 VersionTurn 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 BibleReturn, 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 BibleReturn, 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 BibleGo 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,
Christian Standard BibleReturn 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 BibleReturn 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 VersionTurn 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 VersionYou 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 VersionTurn 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® TranslationGo 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 TranslationGo 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 VersionSo 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 BibleGo 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 BibleGo 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 TranslationTurn 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 BibleGo 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:
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 TranslationTurn 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 VersionReturn, 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 BibleGo, 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 VersionTurn 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 TranslatedReturn, 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 TranslationTurn 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,forI am too oldto haveanother husband.Even ifI thoughtthere washopefor meto havea husbandtonightandto bearsons,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 Genesis 18:11-12And 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?”
Genesis 17:17Abraham 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 21:7She added, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
1 Samuel 1:5-6But 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 1:20So 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 4:14-17So 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 42:12-13So 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.
Isaiah 56:3-5Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” / For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— / I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
Luke 1:7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
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.”
Luke 1:36-37Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. / For no word from God will ever fail.”
Romans 4:19Without 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.
Romans 9:9For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”
Hebrews 11:11-12By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. / And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
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, Shalla 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 BearDaughtersHomeHopeHopesHusbandNightThoughtTonightTo-NightTurnWayJump to Next BearDaughtersHomeHopeHopesHusbandNightThoughtTonightTo-NightTurnWayRuth 1 1.Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there4.Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also6.Naomi, returning homeward8.dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her14.Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her19.The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly receivedReturn 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.
Naomi acknowledges her advanced age, which in the cultural context of ancient Israel, would make remarriage unlikely. This reflects the societal expectations and limitations placed on widows. Naomi's statement underscores her sense of hopelessness and the practical realities of her situation, as she cannot provide new husbands for her daughters-in-law through Levirate marriage, a practice where a brother of a deceased man would marry the widow to continue the family line (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons,
Naomi presents a hypothetical scenario to emphasize the improbability of her situation. The mention of "hope" contrasts with her earlier expression of despair, highlighting the depth of her predicament. The reference to bearing sons is significant in the context of Levirate marriage, as it would be necessary for her to have sons to provide husbands for Orpah and Ruth. This phrase also foreshadows the miraculous provision and redemption that will come later in the narrative, pointing to God's providence and the eventual lineage leading to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5-16). 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. RuthA Moabite woman, Naomi's daughter-in-law, who shows loyalty and faithfulness to Naomi. 3. OrpahAnother Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi, who eventually returns to her people. 4. MoabA region east of the Dead Sea, where Naomi and her family sought refuge during a famine. 5. BethlehemNaomi'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 RelationshipsDespite Naomi's bleak outlook, Ruth's loyalty exemplifies steadfast love and commitment, which are central to Christian relationships. God's Sovereignty and RedemptionNaomi'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 CommunityNaomi'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 TimingNaomi'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).
summaryNaomi’s plea inRuth 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, againmy daughters.בְנֹתַי֙(ḇə·nō·ṯay)Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1323:A daughterGo on,לֵ֔כְןָ(lê·ḵə·nā)Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine plural
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walkforכִּ֥י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionI am too oldזָקַ֖נְתִּי(zā·qan·tî)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2204:To be or become oldto haveמִהְי֣וֹת(mih·yō·wṯ)Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, beanother husband.לְאִ֑ישׁ(lə·’îš)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personEven ifכִּ֤י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionI thoughtאָמַ֙רְתִּי֙(’ā·mar·tî)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559:To utter, saythere wasיֶשׁ־(yeš-)Adverb
Strong's 3426:Being, substance, existence, ishopeתִקְוָ֔ה(ṯiq·wāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8615:A cord, expectancyfor meלִ֣י(lî)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrewto haveהָיִ֤יתִי(hā·yî·ṯî)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bea husbandלְאִ֔ישׁ(lə·’îš)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male persontonightהַלַּ֙יְלָה֙(hal·lay·lāh)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915:A twist, night, adversityandגַּ֣ם(gam)Conjunction
Strong's 1571:Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, andto bearיָלַ֥דְתִּי(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 lineagesons,בָנִֽים׃(ḇā·nîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121:A son
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OT History: Ruth 1:12 Turn again my daughters go your way (Ru Rut.) |
