Ruth 1:3
What does Ruth 1:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 1:3 means
Elimelech’s death leaves Naomi a widow in a foreign land, with only her two sons remaining. In the ancient world, widowhood often meant social and economic vulnerability. Naomi’s position becomes precarious: she is away from her kin and covenant community, and the one who likely led the family’s initial move is gone. Yet the narrative does not stop with bereavement; it highlights that her sons survive, suggesting a possible line of support still in place. This understated verse is heavy with pathos and foreboding, showing how swiftly fortunes can change. The silence about causes keeps our attention on the relational vacuum that forms the story’s central tension.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Elimelech, Naomi's husband, came to his end; and only her two sons were with her.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Elimelech husband of Naomi dieth, and she is left, she and her two sons;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Elimelech the husband of Noemi died: and she remained with her sons.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
Context
After naming the family and their stay in Moab, the story turns quickly to loss. Verse 3 sets the first blow that will cascade into deeper hardship by verses 4–5. The presence of the sons suggests hope of provision, which explains the next step—marriage to Moabite women. This context frames Naomi’s later plea to her daughters-in-law in verses 8–13, where she weighs their futures with painful realism.
v.2And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
v.3This passage
v.4And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelt there about ten years.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 4:1
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear Jehovah: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two children to be bondmen.
- Psalms 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But Jehovah delivereth him out of them all.
- Hebrews 12:10
For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.
- Hebrews 12:6
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
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