Ruth 1:17
What does Ruth 1:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 1:17 means
Ruth strengthens her vow with the ultimate seriousness: she will die and be buried where Naomi is, and she invokes Jehovah to judge her if anything but death separates them. By swearing by Jehovah, Ruth shows that Naomi’s God is now her God in truth, not just in words. Her promise embraces life’s end and burial among Naomi’s people, sealing her new identity. The oath displays covenant resolve, not sentimental impulse. In a narrative shaped by loss, Ruth speaks death’s language to pledge life-long loyalty. Through such faithfulness, God will bring restoration far beyond what either woman can see.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Where 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Wherever death comes to you, death will come to me, and there will be my last resting-place; the Lord do so to me and more if we are parted by anything but death.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Where thou diest I die, and there I am buried; thus doth Jehovah to me, and thus doth He add--for death itself doth part between me and thee.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The land that shall receive thee dying, in the same will I die: and there will I be buried. The Lord do so and so to me, and add more also, if aught but death part me and thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried. Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part me and thee!
Context
Following the sweeping promise of verse 16, this verse gives it the weight of an oath before Jehovah, removing any doubt about Ruth’s intentions. Verse 18 will show Naomi recognizing this steadfastness and ceasing to argue. The story now proceeds toward Bethlehem (verse 19), where Ruth’s commitment will work itself out in God’s providential timing.
v.16And 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;
v.17This passage
v.18And when she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking unto her.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Samuel 19:13
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
- 2 Kings 6:31
Then he said, God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.
- 1 Samuel 25:22
God do so unto the enemies of David, and more also, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light so much as one man-child.
- 1 Kings 2:23
Then king Solomon sware by Jehovah, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah hath not spoken this word against his own life.
- Acts 20:24
But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- 2 Samuel 3:35
And all the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David sware, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or aught else, till the sun be down.
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