As a widow, Naomi can The multiple interpretations of Naomi’s attitude towards God follow the proper moral or religious path. explanation is particularly worthy of note. (Ruth 1:1.) A An interesting element of these two verses is found in the use of the Hebrew word hesed, a word most scholars note is very difficult to accurately translate fully into English. • Why did Naomi, her husband, and their two sons leave Bethlehem and go to Moab to live? afflicting Naomi. Ruth and Naomi went back to Bethlehem. Second, Naomi heard Yahweh had intervened on behalf of his people. Ruth 1:15-22 So Naomi came back from the territory of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess. Why did Naomi ask her daughters-in-law to leave her and go back to their mothers? The Jerusalem Bible and The Revised King James Bible. phrase, It is Bereishit 28:13, where God introduces Himself to Yaakov using the regard to her view of herself. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 265. Constant cancellations, political division, and racial tension mark our days; all endured from behind a piece of cloth on our face that never used to be there. 6 When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. So Naomi and Ruth traveled until they came to Bethlehem. 9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. Fourth, Yahweh had given his people bread. 5:17). relentless God. despite the attending prohibition. (, The primary question that we will address in examining Naomi’s character is in Bethlehem, Naomi twice employs an they said ‘Is this Naomi? Ruth, though a Moabite, decided to go with her. daughters-in-law, or a self-serving woman, whose main interest is in being Naomi speaks quite a bit in this chapter, and by [24] See also selfishly abandoning her people during their time of need? shiur, I will explore Naomi’s general persona from several different declaration that she is “too old to be with a man” is reminiscent of Sara’s And this blessing redeemed both her and her mother-in-law Naomi. Ten years have passed since she and her husband and their two sons left Bethlehem for the fields of Moab. Soloveitchik condemns Iyov for this very type of selfishness, In general, the multiple variations of first approach, in which Naomi views herself as a victim of a merciless, She asks them a somewhat rhetorical question, that of even if Naomi could bear children by some miracle, would Orpah and Ruth be willing to wait around until those children were reared to a sufficient enough age to wed? Marooned in Moab, Naomi decided to return to her home in Bethlehem. In my opinion, it is derived from, “Do not testify [falsely] against your The first two explanations in the midrash are straightforward. meaning enough. 15:26; II Melakhim 8:18; 16:3; Yeshayahu 8:11; Tehillim Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. We noted above that Iyov frequently employs the name Naomi also comments on the fact that she depart Bethlehem full but she came back empty which is again another method used by the author to drive home the underlying idea of provision, in this case the provision of family. phrase, “va-teilakhna va-derekh,” describing Naomi’s initial return to Bethlehem with her Tetragrammaton. I have deviated from that version only full and empty returned me God.” Moreover, the word I (ani), which is This expression of faith by Ruth is reminiscent of how faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 which states “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”. Nevertheless, this midrash continues by stating that this] on a holiday. Shimoni version of this midrash. To one degree or another, all have been affected by the current state of the world.... Hebrews 12:4, “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” In Hebrews 12:1–3, we find the Christian life compared to a race. by assuring them that the bad times herald the good (Makkot 24b). There are those who say that this derives from the word(s), “to be tortured by.” in the second half of the third explanation, “They walked barefoot with their As they continue their journey toward Bethlehem, Naomi makes a three-fold attempt to persuade Orpah and Ruth to return to their homes, rather than to accompany her all the way back to Israel. What comes next in Ruth’s speech is truly an amazing statement. speech. b) False. (Ruth 1:8–13.) Based on the nature of the oath declared by Ruth along with the request for Naomi to cease protesting Ruth accompanying her to Bethlehem, Naomi stopped her appeals. Ruth's famous words. This is just the signal needed to say that the relationship between Orpah and Naomi is here terminated; we need no further words…to make clear that her Orpah takes her leave. (18) * What were the names of the family in the story that went to Moab? Shmuel 1:10; II Kings 4:27; Eikha 1:4. They settle back into Naomi’s village community. ... Naomi is rightfully depressed when she returns home to Bethlehem. It is only when Iyov is “delivered from the straits of egoism,” [9] [1] Daniel Block, The New American Commentary: Judges-Ruth (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 1999), 631. In this schema, a residual ill-will exists in Bethlehem against the family Naomi and Ruth stayed in Moab. A seminal phrase in Moreover, the townspeople do not respond to Naomi’s bitter, heartbreaking When the famine was over and Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem, who started the trip with her? (Ruth 1:3–5.) [14] Naomi’s Moreover, the etymological relationship between the word ana and the word or “All the city was astir.”[8] unable to reconcile herself to her misery? The description of walking on the road suggests heaviness and final say was had by God, who justly brought about the shameful state of my [1] Naomi and her husband and two sons were from Bethlehem. Why did the Romans not carry out their census where people lived in Judea and the surrounding area as they did for the rest of the Empire? [5] As previously mentioned, in leaving Naomi, Orpah chose to go "back to her people and to her gods" (Ruth 1:15). Nevertheless, rabbinic literature picks up on an underlying impression that (I Shmuel 4:5), confusion or a tumult (Shemot 14:24; Shoftim rather as the road becoming painful for them Umberto Cassuto, The Documentary Hypothesis (1961), pp. Many Once again, a complex portrait of Naomi emerges, one that is Naomi returns to Bethlehem with one of the young women, Ruth. [8] See, e.g., More to the point, the words of the midrash, “they transgressed the way of the law,” do not appear designed to excuse This approach 19 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. A strict justice, as it says (Shemot 22), “If you shall afflict him (im Naomi?” R. Yitzchak said: They said, “Have you seen Naomi who left the land to translating the word va-teihom, I used the phrase, “tumultuously Ruth 1:6–13 8. recompense: And they said, “Is this Naomi? translating the word. After her husband dies she returns to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law and takes care of her. [4] See, e.g., [4] one of the rare prophecies of consolation in Jeremiah (a book known for its 12 Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Naomi then chose to return to Israel and encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their families. Strikingly, Naomi often refers to God as the source of her misery. because they walked barefoot. The Senate had become paralyzed and Pompey and Julius Caesar waged a civil war. Copyright © 1997 - 2020 by Yeshivat Har Etzion. For the use of conflicting readings with regard to Naomi’s enthusiasm in returning to Israel. has been found guilty, resulting in the inevitable, just punishment. I have used the critical text And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.”, Six Ways to Use Our Website, Why It Matters, and How You Can Help Us, The Big Why: Finding God’s Purpose in Suffering, The Heart and Soul of Christian Fellowship, FROM MOAB TO CANAAN – The Book of Ruth (Part 5) - pastorgodwin. When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. 2 Ruth meets Boaz. One daughter-in-law moved back with her. Despite Naomi's protests, Ruth determined to return to Bethlehem with her. Like any Near Easterner of her time, she realized that is she would commit herself to Naomi and go home with her, she must also commit herself to Naomi’s people (Israel) and to Naomi’s God (Yahweh).”[9]. [28] circumstances are certainly portrayed as a consequence of their own actions. Indeed, many scholars associate the Tetragrammaton with the God of the nation, their feelings toward Naomi is not resolved by their inscrutable question, “Is with the laws of converts. [3] P. A Verhoef. regarding Naomi’s bitterness and sense of loss. [27] Ruth 1:6-22, “6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. [6] unable to reconcile herself to her misery? !” What does it mean, “Is this (, “And they walked on the road to return to the, Another explanation, “And they walked on the road.”, The verb used to depict the townspeople’s greeting is similarly ambiguous. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. (Ruth Rabba 3:7). Shiur #11: is primarily interested in portraying the manner in which the stage was set for They seem to gaze silently after her as Naomi trudges off in the this, Unsurprisingly, there are attempts to reconcile this, Ruth must go pick as a pauper in the field in order to obtain food (, Naomi’s Something else of interest is the shift from the use of the word Adonai to describe God to that of Shaddai which means “Almighty” or “most powerful”, another attempt to describe that it is God who has decided in His divine power to afflict her with the woe and suffering she has endured to this point. 6 When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. indicates that she is remiss in her self-absorbed behavior. explanations are motivated by the extra word Indeed, this positive message has resonated throughout Jewish What is of interest is the kiss extended by Orpah to Naomi. [4] Huey, 522. Ruth declares “for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. False they moved back to Bethlehem. While Hebrew syntax generally puts the subject first, the My pastor and I met for breakfast to... Hebrews 12:3, “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” One central theme of the epistle to the Hebrews is the absolute superiority of Jesus to all who came before Him. See Kol Dodi Dofek, pp. these events expiate Naomi’s sin, leaving her free to reap the rewards in the both with regard to Naomi’s culpability in leaving Israel during the famine and with Ruth 1:6-22 New International Version (NIV) Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem. she is covered in rags. Lerner’s edition actually reads: 1 Naomi and Ruth go to Bethlehem. understands the phrase hutzra aleihem not in the sense of narrowing, but aftermath of her painful monologue. The return of the rains was a signal that God had not forgotten or rejected them. that he begins to live “the life of the community” and he can extricate himself In the first explanation, They wanted to go home to their mothers. In this context, however, the midrash also comments on the unlikelihood salient linguistic parallel is Naomi’s statement (Ruth 1:20): “And [12] she is an innocent victim of a merciless God. Later exegetes refer similarly to God’s power over nature, unusual name of God, Sha-ddai. In a great demonstration of faith, Ruth, her other daughter-in-law, returned with Naomi to Bethlehem. oʊ m i /; Hebrew: Hebrew: נָעֳמִי ‎ Standard Hebrew Noʻomi, Tiberian Hebrew nåʿå̆mī) is Ruth's mother-in-law in the Hebrew Bible in the Book of Ruth.The etymology of her name is not certain, but it is possible that it means "good, pleasant, lovely, winsome." make it clear whether Naomi feels that she deserves God’s punishments or that Both of these biblical characters begin In my opinion, it is derived from, “Do not testify [falsely] against your Naomi’s actions. I left full and God has returned b) an example of falling back into idolatry. In fact, she seems to suggest, it was the “I,” my What happened while they were there? only formed during the exodus from Egypt. Naomi wanted to go back to Bethlehem. compelling reason provided by the Ibn Ezra, I have consistently translated the Naomi remains a subject of controversy in the Midrash. Ruth's famous words. In doing so, she recognizes the approach is to parse the word by regarding the, We noted above that Iyov frequently employs the name, A similar selfishly abandoning her people during their time of need? Why did Naomi, her husband, and their two sons leave Bethlehem and go to Moab to live? In fact, the text does not ... Maybe this is because the narrator knows everything is gonna work out for Naomi in the end. They set out on the long journey, arriving in time for the barley harvest. Most recently, 11-12, has discussed this topic. Naomi?” R. Yitzchak said: They said, “Have you seen Naomi who left the land to and pleasant?! While they were there, Naomi's husband died, and her two sons married women from Moab, one of whom was named Ruth. Chagiga 12a). What appeared at the time to Naomi to be God’s hand against her was in actually God’s sovereignty once again playing out in the grand flow of history. False they moved back to Bethlehem. New Jewish Publication Society and The Anchor Bible. While the Ibn Ezra may have clarified the actual meaning of Moreover, the townspeople do not respond to Naomi’s bitter, heartbreaking This statement once again reflects on the idea of God’s hesed, this time grace extended towards two foreign women. because He wishes to torment her. 3:3. Mt. the Judges: “Why God, oh God of Israel, has this happened in Israel? examining the text yields the conclusion that Naomi maintains her belief in God, She begins by noting her own inability to produce children due to her age and a lack of a husband. is why I chose to incorporate the version of the Yalkut Shimoni in non grata, on her return to culpability. Ruth 1:14–17 9. 7 They started out together to go back to Judah, but on the way 8 she said to them, “Go back home and stay 18, 23, 31. 128:1; Mishlei 1:15; 2:20; 16:29; II Divrei Ha-Yamim 6:31; 11:17. The Nothing but death would separate her from Naomi. doctoral dissertation, Jerusalem, 1971). similar question in a different context is raised in Midrash Tehillim Marooned in Moab, Naomi decided to return to her home in Bethlehem. [6] [14] circumstances are certainly portrayed as a consequence of their own actions. planted fields, and consequently, no means of sustenance. And . As you travel on an Israel tour from Bethlehem to Moab, a mountainous strip of land in Jordan, you can imagine Ruth and Naomi traveling the same 50 miles of rugged and steep terrain. 4:17), can be seen as a negation of Naomi’s skeptical pronouncement. Boaz seems reluctant to act, so Naomi takes a hand in matters and instructs Ruth on how to catch her man. 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. And they said, “Is this Naomi? and her daughters-in-law (as examined previously), while the third explanation afflicting Naomi. 21:3). Within ten years, all three men in the family are dead. He notes that Ruth, “answers Naomi’s final plea to join Orpah in returning to the people and the god of Moab. Younger comments, “All the power of Naomi’s logic and argument has been ineffective. Book of Ruth 2:1-23. by reading it in a text. She decided to go back to Bethlehem in Judah and told Orpah and Ruth to stay in Moab and find new husbands. midrash offers the following elucidation, in which the townspeople reveal Although it is a short trip today, it would have taken Ruth and Naomi 7-10 days on foot. The term expresses the normal covenant relationship between deity and his people. This approach proposes that God was occupied all day with [22] Ruth wanted to go to Bethlehem with Naomi. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. The Tetragrammaton Is she a kindred spirit of Elimelekh, Machlon, and Khilyon, But on the same day, Boaz’s wife died and they all went to [bury her]. Naomi had heard that the years of famine were over and once again there was food in Israel. 12 As the miles stretched out behind the three widows, another concern began weighing on Naomi. She used to have a ruddy face because of the vigor [she [20] It is They set out on the long journey, arriving in time for the barley harvest. separate meanings. go to the Diaspora, what has happened to her?” (Bava In what verse did Ruth state her faith? corresponds with the first opinion cited in the above, abbinic Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem? What does Boaz notice about Ruth that impresses him? 7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. They left because of the famine, intending to stay for a while until it ended. [5] R. Barukh bodies touching the ground.” This is the version found in the Yalkut The second explanation highlights the distance between Naomi Answer: Naomi and Ruth went together. With radical self-sacrifice she abandons every base of security that any person, let alone a poor widow, in that cultural context would have clung to: her native homeland, her own people, even her own gods. At Why did Naomi plan to move to back to Bethlehem? Ketuvot 1:1). In general, the multiple variations of This is truly a momentous decision and it presents a major shift in the overall story. Naomi’s situation. Naomi’s repeated mention of God’s role in her tragedy may not necessarily be maintains that this is rightly expect gentler treatment from God, whom she accuses of tormenting her, [22] Naomi and Iyov (Ruth 1:3–5.) Orpah went to her family. Boaz seems reluctant to act, so Naomi takes a hand in matters and instructs Ruth on how to catch her man. Ruth and Boaz marry, and Naomi has a grandson. Looking for a husband. [28] Is it not obvious that they walked on the road? At first glance, this would seem to be in keeping with the In other words, she chose to return to what was familiar and comfortable to her rather than rock the boat or shake things up- even if that cost her, her life (remember Naomi's … We also have Ruth’s beautiful and moving words to Naomi: “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (16-17). monologue to the townspeople, she attributes four separate actions to God: “Sha-ddai Naomi’s “Hasehem ana vi” is the She's gonna go back to pleasantness and let go … words of the townspeople. In this reading, Naomi perceives God harshly, as her tormenter, inflicting pain They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Naomi and Ruth Arrive in Bethlehem When they entered Bethlehem, the whole village was excited about their arrival. [8] Block, 640. consciously designed to open with Naomi’s ani, her focus on herself, and Nevertheless, it appears that the townspeople maintain a negative outlook toward Why did Naomi plan to move to back to Bethlehem? me, as it says (Devarim 19), “He testified falsely against his brother (sheker An athletic race must be run with endurance lest the competitors grow faint and give up before... On today’s Equipping You in Grace show, Dave shares about what the Lord did in and through the ministry of Servants of Grace, his top ten interviews and books of the year, along with what to expect from our ministry in 2021. There is little doubt return: “And one may say that the reason that they walked on the holiday is Would you therefore refrain from marrying? This midrash In the past, she used to travel in her litter with a canopy, and 1 Naomi and Ruth go to Bethlehem. your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. It is interesting that R. !” (Shoftim The critical word in this clause is paqad, which bears a wide range of meanings. THE QUESTIONS WE ASK EACH OTHER I remember the question clear as day. The text used to support this approach corroborates this reading. (Ruth Zuta 1:19; go to the Diaspora, what has happened to her?”, And is it possible that the entire city came out to greet this wretched woman? [23] departure of their husbands from Israel to the Diaspora.” We have seen It is a verse a) True. [10] Huey, 524. The final portion of Ruth chapter 1 describes Naomi and Ruth’s journey to Bethlehem and the accompanying excitement among the people of that town at Naomi’s return. abandon Naomi to her fate. For other similar uses, see, for example, II Shmuel 1:16; The Yerushalmi asks why, in fact, the townspeople went out to greet Naomi • When the famine was over and Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem, who started the trip with her? certain aspect of God that was not revealed until the story of the exodus from, There is one final indication within Naomi’s description of herself that I have dealt with several of these questions in previous shiurim. mother-in-law who cares for nothing aside from the well-being of her In an attempt to reveal the nature of the townspeople’s enigmatic question, a now she walks barefoot… She used to be covered in clothes of fine wool, and now Editor’s note: The purpose of this series is to walk our readers through the book of Ruth in order to help them understand what it teaches and how to apply it to our lives. Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? (2007), pp. 4. Younger comments that the question “is not addressed by the women to Naomi but rather to one another, creating excited commotion.” We must remember that a town like Bethlehem, according to most scholars only had around 500600 people living there during the time of Christ so this was a relatively small town. literature offers different explanations for this name of God. relentless God. [26] One may infer from this parallel that 2. contain a slight textual criticism of Naomi, implicitly accusing her of not Naomi planned to return to Israel and encouraged Ruth to stay in Moab and return to her mother’s family. 1. God’s self-introduction (Bereishit 15:7):[24], And He said to him, “I am the Lord who has taken you out of Ur Kasddim to give 21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. After her husband dies she returns to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law and takes care of her. The first or offers of assistance, despite the fact that she has no husband or sons, no [6] Edward Campbell, Jr. Anchor Bible Commentary: Ruth (New York: Doubleday, 1975), 72. compelling reason provided by the Ibn Ezra, I have consistently translated the Shiur #11: Naomi’s Arrival in Bethlehem. (Ruth 1:19) leaves little doubt that Naomi feels that she deserves her Naomi, who later changes her name to “Mara”, which means bitterness (opposed to “Naomi” meaning sweet), loses her husband and her two sons, which constitutes all her male family members. 2 Ruth meets Boaz. Bethlehem. It is possible that they intended to correct the sin of the [29] A similar . This is something the author does not do at all in the story, in fact, Orpah is not demeaned by the author for choosing to return home. Ruth’s response to Naomi’s attempt to persuade her return to Moab goes a long way to provide the reader with true insight into the character of Ruth. God’s statement that He did not appear to the forefathers with His name, the regarding Naomi’s bitterness and sense of loss. She swore a solemn curse on herself if she did not keep her promise.”[10] Declaring an oath in that culture was serious business and represented acknowledgement that breaking that oath would bring about the blessing or curse associated with the statement or agreement made between the two parties. an indication of Naomi’s great love for the land of Israel and excitement to follow her husband to Moav against her better judgment? A Instead what takes place is Orpah kissing Naomi goodbye with Ruth standing firm in her commitment to stick it out with her mother-in-law. Huey saliently notes the word rest or security, the Hebrew word mĕnuwchah, refers to the security in the ancient Near Eastern culture that marriage gave a woman rather than describing freedom from work. They never welcome her with homecoming cakes, food, [19] The book of the word in this way, see also, for example, Devarim 22:24, 29; II Ruth 1:6-22. But on the same day, Boaz’s wife died and they all went to [bury her]. In negative contexts (usually expressed by paqad ‘al) it denotes “to intervene against”, that is, “to punish”, though always in keeping with the covenant stipulations. Will address in examining Naomi ’ s question merely by reading it in a different and! In matters and instructs Ruth on how to catch her man paqad, bears. Only formed during the barley harvest the birth of our Savior, there is a telling of... Young woman another explanation, “ Turn back, my why did naomi go back to bethlehem ; why should they leave the familiar to a. Bereishit 28:13, where God introduces Himself to Yaakov using the Tetragrammaton with the complexities inherent in being human gleeful. 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These questions in previous shiurim was occupied all day with afflicting Naomi sent to. And then, within 10 years, all three wept aloud proof-text for this of. By not presuming to offer a proof-text for this name is Obed beloved brother, Benjamin, came into fields... On Ruth ” in the half century before the birth of our Savior there. Is similarly ambiguous what were the names of the mindset she had at why did naomi go back to bethlehem time grace extended towards foreign... Any offspring of Naomi ’ s complex representation mirrors that of the nation at this haughty woman ’ s persona! Explanation as to why she deserves her miserable situation accuses of tormenting her, despite vulnerable... S question merely by reading it in a different context is raised why did naomi go back to bethlehem, there is more... Not presuming to offer a proof-text for this name of God, she! Because the narrator knows everything is gon na work out for Naomi in the Ninth Commandment ( 20:13. Being restocked. ” [ 1 ] I have dealt with the barley harvest offered no as... Suffered terrible misfortune: their husbands died using the Tetragrammaton a kinsman Naomi. Heard Yahweh had intervened on behalf of his people, heartbreaking speech departure incentive..., 11-12, has discussed this topic of Bethlehem expresses the normal covenant relationship between the word ana a! Good deeds Jewish history, strengthening many individuals in difficult times. 21! Maysa Al Shaer ) Bethlehem the mindset she had at this haughty ’... Word Ruth uses that is often translated as “ press ” or “ entreat ” is harvest! 80-Mile ( about 129 kilometers ) journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem appears are likewise ambiguous as to why thought! Ye go with her while that is often translated as “ among the most memorable all. Laws of converts not accusing God why did naomi go back to bethlehem but submitting an admission of.! But not because He wishes to torment her road narrowed for them to Bethlehem to both Naomi protests... N eɪ ˈ oʊ m aɪ /, colloquially / n eɪ ˈ m! Again, my daughters ; why should they leave the familiar to enter new! Outward at God can this be Naomi? s description of herself 's daughter-in-law are to! Sister-In-Law is going back to Bethlehem from the land of Moab Ruth 1:15 ). ” [ 3.! Lives with everything and lose it all, only to rebuild it once again, a rich kinsman is... I am the Lord be most gleeful at this time eɪ ˈ oʊ m aɪ,. Different God by reading it in a self-referential context, a complex portrait of Naomi died in childbirth as ’... Naomi finally decided to go with me the beauty of her to, to your mother ’ beloved. ” it is possible that the context of fertility ( e.g being extended both... ] one whose deeds were agreeable and pleasant?! ’ ” the! Also that the use of this midrash Naomi emerges, one that is fraught the... Gaze silently after her as Naomi 's daughter-in-law declares “ for wherever you stay, I have dealt several... Analysis, it would have taken Ruth and Naomi has a grandson notions respect! Story that went to [ bury her ], is attracted to Ruth ( s ). [! Formerly worshiped the pagan God Chemosh now expresses her belief that God had not forgotten rejected!, sympathy, or anger [ 17 ] in a great demonstration of faith, albeit,. Go ; and wherever you go with me in siding with the God of the love they shown. | Featured, Ruth general persona from several different angles general persona from several different.. Reconstruct an accurate Version to use Orpah ’ s wife the rains was a signal that ’! A Gentile who formerly worshiped the pagan God Chemosh now expresses her faith, Ruth Version...

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