Ruth 1:10 kjv

And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

Ruth 1:10 nkjv

And they said to her, "Surely we will return with you to your people."

Ruth 1:10 niv

and said to her, "We will go back with you to your people."

Ruth 1:10 esv

And they said to her, "No, we will return with you to your people."

Ruth 1:10 nlt

"No," they said. "We want to go with you to your people."

Ruth 1 verses

Ruth 1 10 Meaning

Ruth 1:10 records the initial and emphatic declaration of both Orpah and Ruth to Naomi, stating their intent to accompany her back to the land of Judah and remain with her people. This verse captures their profound loyalty and love for their mother-in-law, demonstrating a strong initial commitment forged through shared loss and familial bond, even amidst Naomi's encouragement for them to return to their own Moabitish families. It highlights a pivotal moment where the two Moabite women stand at a crossroads, expressing their desire to forsake their homeland for Naomi's sake.

Ruth 1 10 Context

Ruth 1:10 occurs after Naomi, now a widow, has decided to return to her homeland of Judah following a period of famine and tragic losses in Moab. Her husband Elimelech and her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, had all died in Moab, leaving Naomi, her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, as widows. Having heard that the Lord had visited His people by providing food in Judah, Naomi prepares for the journey back to Bethlehem. Prior to verse 10, in verse 8, Naomi explicitly instructs her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers' houses, invoking a blessing upon them. This verse is their immediate, united response to Naomi's compassionate dismissal. The wider historical context is the period of the Judges, a time characterized by moral decline ("every man did that which was right in his own eyes"), societal instability, and frequent localized famines, often due to disobedience or natural causes. Within this backdrop, the loyalty expressed by Orpah and Ruth to Naomi, and later by Ruth to Israel and its God, stands out as a stark contrast to the surrounding societal norms and the spiritual condition of the age.

Ruth 1 10 Word analysis

• And they said: Hebrew: va'tomer'na (וַתֹּאמַרְנָה). This immediately conveys a collective, united voice from both Orpah and Ruth. Their response is immediate and shared, showing a singular resolve at this point.
• unto her: Direct address to Naomi. Their words are specifically for her, reflecting a deep personal connection and loyalty to their mother-in-law rather than just an abstract idea of returning to a land.
• Surely: Hebrew: ki (כִּי). This particle can function in various ways (for, indeed, because, but, that). Here, it carries a strong emphatic force, best translated as "Surely," "Indeed," or "Certainly." It expresses a firm conviction and an unwavering declaration of their intention. It's not a mere suggestion, but a decided affirmation.
• we will return: Hebrew: nashuv (נָשׁוּב). This is the Piel form of the verb shuv (שׁוּב), which means "to turn back," "to return," "to restore," or even "to repent." The use of "we will return" indicates their strong intent to accompany Naomi, reflecting their attachment and a choice to turn back from their Moabitish lives and culture with her.
• with thee: Hebrew: immakh (עִמָּךְ). This preposition emphasizes their desire for companionship and togetherness. Their resolve is not merely to return to Judah, but specifically with Naomi, underscoring the strength of their personal bond over other considerations. This personal commitment is foundational.
• unto thy people: Hebrew: ammeḵ (עַמֵּךְ). This refers to the people of Israel. This phrase is crucial as it signifies not only a geographical relocation but implicitly a cultural and potentially religious transition. For Orpah and Ruth, this means leaving their own ethnic group, their land, and implicitly their gods (Chemosh) to associate with Naomi's people, the Israelites, and their God. At this stage, it's about loyalty to Naomi and her community rather than a direct confession of faith in YHWH, but it paves the way for such a commitment for Ruth.

Words-group analysis

• And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee: This collective statement underlines the intense personal loyalty and solidarity felt by both women towards Naomi. Their declaration is emphatic and unified, showcasing their initial resolve to remain bound by familial ties and support Naomi through her hardship.
• unto thy people: This phrase highlights the radical nature of their proposed choice. It signifies abandoning their Moabitish identity, culture, and community for a foreign land and a different way of life, identifying with Naomi's Israelite heritage. It is the first step towards the profound shift of allegiance that will later fully manifest in Ruth.

Ruth 1 10 Bonus section

The strong verb "return" (shuv) is a significant motif in Ruth 1. Naomi 'returns' from Moab (1:6), instructs her daughters-in-law to 'return' (1:8), and they declare their intention to 'return' with her (1:10). This consistent use highlights the central theme of 'turning back'—from loss to hope, from famine to provision, from foreign land to covenant land, and for Ruth, from idolatry to the worship of the one true God. While Orpah 'returns' to her own people (1:15), Ruth irrevocably turns and commits herself to Naomi's people and her God, exemplifying a deeper form of shuv that signifies repentance and radical redirection of one's life. This verse serves as the initial spark of their intent to "turn" towards Israel, ultimately culminating in Ruth's unparalleled steadfastness.

Ruth 1 10 Commentary

Ruth 1:10 is a pivotal moment demonstrating the deep bond and affection that blossomed between Naomi and her Moabite daughters-in-law despite immense grief. Their initial declaration of "Surely we will return with thee unto thy people" reflects not just emotional attachment but a genuine willingness to forsake their known world for the uncertainty of a new one, all for the sake of Naomi. This shared expression of loyalty sets the stage for the crucial decision in the following verses, differentiating Ruth's unwavering devotion from Orpah's pragmatic, yet still respectful, return. The strength of their resolution in this verse foreshadows the great hesed (loving-kindness) that will define Ruth's character throughout the narrative and contribute to the book's theological message of covenant loyalty extending beyond tribal lines. The willingness of foreign women to commit to Naomi's people hints at God's universal redemptive plan and His embrace of those who come to trust in Him, regardless of their origin.