Ruth 1:8
What does Ruth 1:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 1:8 means
Naomi urges each daughter-in-law to return to her mother’s house, praying that Jehovah would deal kindly with them as they have with the dead and with her. Her words show generosity and gratitude; she blesses them in God’s name and recognizes their loyal love. “Mother’s house” suggests the place of marriage arrangements and nurture, implying a hope for new husbands and settled lives. Naomi is not faithless; she invokes Jehovah’s covenant kindness even while counseling a path that might seem more secure for them. This verse reveals her selflessness and sets a tender tone for the painful choices ahead.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you to her mother’s house: Jehovah deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you to her mother’s house: Jehovah deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go back to your mothers' houses: may the Lord be good to you as you have been good to the dead and to me:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Naomi saith to her two daughters-in-law, `Go, turn back, each to the house of her mother; Jehovah doth with you kindness as ye have done with the dead, and with me;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752She said to them: Go ye home to your mothers, the Lord deal mercifully with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each to her mother's house. Jehovah deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead and with me.
Context
As they travel (verse 7), Naomi initiates a pivotal conversation. This blessing and release in verse 8 prepares for the expanded request in verse 9 and the first resistance from the daughters-in-law in verse 10. It frames the subsequent debate (verses 11–13) as motivated by Naomi’s concern for their well-being, not indifference.
v.7And she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
v.8This passage
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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 3:24
knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.
- Ruth 2:20
And Naomi said unto her daughter-in-law, Blessed be he of Jehovah, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is nigh of kin unto us, one of our near kinsmen.
- Ephesians 6:2
Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise),
- Colossians 3:18
Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
- Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.
- Ephesians 5:22
Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Ruth 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ruth 1.