Bible Strands
Ruth 1:21
I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Naomi speaks to the residents of Bethlehem upon her return from Moab following the deaths of her husband and sons. She addresses the community directly as they question her changed circumstances.
The words — The contrast between מְלֵאָ֣ה (me.le.'Ah, "full") and רֵיקָ֖ם (rei.Kam, "empty") defines her physical and relational journey. The verb תִקְרֶ֤אנָה (tik.Re.nah, "do you call") functions as a direct challenge to the villagers regarding her former name.
The thread — The pattern of divine reversal and testimony appears in 1 Samuel 2:7 regarding the Lord's power to humble and exalt, and in Job 1:21 where the Lord gives and takes away. The phrasing of divine accusation parallels Job 13:26.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that personal loss is framed by direct divine action rather than impersonal fate. It demands a clear-eyed acceptance of suffering without offering comfort or explanation beyond the stated reality.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.
- Job 1:21 saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
- Job 13:26 For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.
- Job 16:8 You have bound me, and it has become a witness; my frailty rises up and testifies against me.
- Job 10:17 You produce new witnesses against me and multiply Your anger toward me. Hardships assault me in wave after wave.
- Malachi 3:5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.