Ruth 1:9
What does Ruth 1:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Ruth 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ruth 1:9 means
Naomi prays that Jehovah grant Orpah and Ruth “rest” in the home of future husbands—a culturally grounded vision of security, provision, and dignity. Her kiss seals sincere affection, and the weeping shows mutual love and grief. Naomi does not want them bound to her uncertain prospects; she wants them settled and cared for. The verse captures the tension between love that would keep and love that releases. It shows that kindness, not estrangement, underlies Naomi’s counsel. The emotions on all sides are real, and the tears prepare us for the costly decisions that such love will require.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jehovah 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The Lord 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jehovah 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949May the Lord give you rest in the houses of your husbands. Then she gave them a kiss; and they were weeping bitterly.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jehovah doth grant to you, and find ye rest each in the house of her husband;' and she kisseth them, and they lift up their voice and weep.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752May he grant you to find rest in the houses of the husbands whom you shall take. And she kissed them. And they lifted up their voice, and began to weep,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jehovah grant you that ye may find rest, each in the house of her husband. And she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice and wept.
Context
Following Naomi’s blessing and counsel in verse 8, this verse deepens the emotional atmosphere with prayer, affection, and sorrow. The desire for “rest” sets the criterion by which Naomi evaluates their futures. The next verse (10) will show Orpah and Ruth initially refusing to leave, while verses 11–13 will present Naomi’s practical and theological reasoning for urging them to turn back.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 45:15
And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
- Genesis 29:11
And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
- Genesis 27:27
And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son Is as the smell of a field which Jehovah hath blessed:
- Acts 20:37
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
- Ruth 3:1
And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
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