Ruth 1:14
What does Ruth 1:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 1:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 1:14 means
The three weep again, and the paths separate: Orpah kisses Naomi—a tender goodbye—while Ruth clings to her. The text does not vilify Orpah; her choice follows Naomi’s counsel and cultural sense. Ruth’s choice, however, surpasses expectation. “Clinging” suggests covenant-like attachment, a deliberate, enduring loyalty. The verse captures love expressed in two different ways: one by releasing and returning, the other by binding oneself to another’s future. Ruth’s steadfastness will become the conduit of hope for Naomi. Through this hinge moment, God preserves a line and writes grace into a story marked by loss.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clave unto her.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clave unto her.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then again they were weeping; and Orpah gave her mother-in-law a kiss, but Ruth would not be parted from her.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And they lift up their voice, and weep again, and Orpah kisseth her mother-in-law, and Ruth hath cleaved to her.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they lifted up their voice, and began to weep again: Orpha kissed her mother in law, and returned: Ruth stuck close to her mother in law.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they lifted up their voice and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clave to her.
Context
This follows Naomi’s heartfelt plea (verses 11–13). The intense emotion yields two distinct decisions. Verse 15 will show Naomi pointing to Orpah’s return as a model for Ruth, while verses 16–17 reveal Ruth’s stunning vow. The narrative tension focuses now on Ruth’s heart and the direction of her allegiance.
v.13would ye therefore tarry till they were grown? would ye therefore stay from having husbands? nay, my daughters, for it grieveth me much for your sakes, for the hand of Jehovah is gone forth against me.
v.14This passage
v.15And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her god: return thou after thy sister-in-law.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 10:39
But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.
- 1 Kings 19:20
And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again; for what have I done to thee?
- Matthew 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
- Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
- Genesis 31:28
and didst not suffer me to kiss my sons and my daughters? now hast thou done foolishly.
- Mark 10:21
And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
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