And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

RUTH 1:11KJV
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Ruth 1:11 (KJV)

What does Ruth 1:11 mean?

Ruth 1:11 records Naomi urging her daughters-in-law not to follow her back to Judah, asking why they would come with her since she cannot provide them with new husbands. Naomi points out that she has no more sons for them to marry, highlighting the hopelessness of their situation if they stay with her.

In this verse, Naomi is speaking to Ruth and Orpah after the death of their husbands, her own sons. Naomi is preparing to return to her homeland and wants her daughters-in-law to consider their own futures, since, by the customs of that time, widows might marry another son in the family. Naomi’s question shows her deep concern for their well-being and her awareness that she cannot offer them security or a future.

The Hebrew behind Ruth 1:11

  • "Womb" (בֶּטֶן, beten): Naomi asks if she has more sons in her "womb," using a word that refers literally to the physical place where children are conceived. This emphasizes her inability to provide more sons for her daughters-in-law.
  • "Husbands" (אֲנָשִׁים, anashim): The word here is a general term for "men," but in this context, it clearly means "husbands." Naomi is highlighting the lack of potential husbands for Ruth and Orpah within her own family.

Why Ruth 1:11 matters

  • Ruth 1:11 helps the reader understand Naomi’s selflessness and her realistic view of her own situation; she is not thinking only of her own needs but is concerned for Ruth and Orpah’s futures.
  • The verse sets up the emotional and practical crossroads faced by Ruth and Orpah, clarifying why their decision to stay or leave is so significant.
  • This moment also highlights the cultural background of levirate marriage, where a widow might marry a brother of her deceased husband, making Naomi’s lack of sons a crucial detail.

Where else these words appear

“Naomi” Hebrew H5281 · used in 20 verses

  • Ruth 1:2 And 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 Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
  • Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
  • Ruth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

“womb” Hebrew H4578 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
  • Isaiah 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.