Ruth 1:10

What does Ruth 1:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Ruth 1:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ruth 1:10 means

Orpah and Ruth respond with a strong pledge: they will return with Naomi to her people. Their answer reflects loyalty and gratitude; they are not eager to abandon Naomi to face hardship alone. It also hints at an openness to a new identity, at least at the level of community. Yet their words focus on Naomi’s people, not yet on Naomi’s God. The statement is sincere, but it will be tested by Naomi’s realistic argument about marriage prospects and security. This moment shows genuine affection, soon to be refined into two different paths—one understandable departure, and one extraordinary devotion.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they said unto her, Nay, but we will return with thee unto thy people.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they said unto her, Nay, but we will return with thee unto thy people.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they said to her, No, but we will go back with you to your people.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And they say to her, `Surely with thee we go back to thy people.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And to say: We will go on with thee to thy people.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they said to her, We will certainly return with thee to thy people.

Context

After Naomi’s blessing and plea in verses 8–9, verse 10 registers the daughters-in-law’s initial determination to go with her. This sets up Naomi’s extended reasoning in verses 11–13, which appeals to custom and hard realities. The contrast between this pledge and what follows will clarify the cost of staying with Naomi.

v.9Jehovah grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

v.10This passage

v.11And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Zechariah 8:23
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.
Psalms 119:63
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, And of them that observe thy precepts.
Psalms 16:3
As for the saints that are in the earth, They are the excellent in whom is all my delight.

Want to dig deeper? Explore Ruth 1

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ruth 1.

Topics that quote it

Topic

Bible Verses About Loyalty

The Bible consistently exalts loyalty as a foundational virtue, reflecting God’s steadfast character and guiding human relationships.