Ruth 1:16
What does Ruth 1:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 1:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 1:16 means
Ruth’s response is one of Scripture’s most beautiful vows. She begs Naomi not to press her to leave, and then binds her life to Naomi’s: where Naomi goes, Ruth will go; where she lodges, Ruth will lodge; Naomi’s people will be Ruth’s people, and Naomi’s God, Ruth’s God. This is more than family loyalty—it is a confession of faith and a change of identity. Ruth, a Moabitess, willingly embraces Jehovah and His people. The breadth of her pledge reaches into daily life, community belonging, and worship. In Ruth’s devotion, the door of hope opens for Naomi, and a Gentile steps into Israel’s story by faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, and 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Ruth said, 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, and 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But Ruth said, Give up requesting me to go away from you, or to go back without you: for where you go I will go; and where you take your rest I will take my rest; your people will be my people, and your God my God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Ruth saith, `Urge me not to leave thee--to turn back from after thee; for whither thou goest I go, and where thou lodgest I lodge; thy people <FI>is<Fi> my people, and thy God my God.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752She answered: Be not against me, to desire that I should leave thee and depart: for whithersoever thou shalt go, I will go: and where thou shalt dwell, I also will dwell. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Ruth said, Do not intreat me to leave thee, 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 thyGod myGod;
Context
This vow answers Naomi’s urging in verse 15 and sets a new course for the narrative. Verse 17 will intensify the commitment with an oath in Jehovah’s name. Ruth’s declaration reframes the journey: it is no longer simply Naomi’s return, but Ruth’s conversion and allegiance, which God will honor in the chapters ahead.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 4:37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
- Luke 24:28
And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go further.
- Ruth 2:11
And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been showed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thy husband; and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people that thou knewest not heretofore.
- 2 Samuel 15:21
And Ittai answered the king, and said, As Jehovah liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, even there also will thy servant be.
- Daniel 2:47
The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou hast been able to reveal this secret.
- Acts 21:13
Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
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