And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

RUTH 1:16KJV
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Ruth 1:16 (KJV)

What does Ruth 1:16 mean?

Ruth refuses to leave her widowed mother-in-law Naomi and return to her former life in Moab. She commits herself to Naomi’s journey, home, people, and God as Naomi returns to Judah.

The strongest wording comes at the end: “thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” The Hebrew has no verb in either statement: “your people, my people; your God, my God.” The KJV supplies “shall be” to express the sense in English. Ruth presents these ties as her declared allegiance, not merely something she might accept later.

The Hebrew behind Ruth 1:16

  • “Intreat” — פגע (paga): This word can mean to meet or encounter someone, and in an appeal like this, to urge or press someone. “Intreat me not” means “Do not press me.” Naomi has urged Ruth to return to her own people; Ruth asks Naomi to stop urging that separation.

  • “leave” — עזב (azav); “return” — שׁוב (shuv): “Leave” means to leave behind or abandon; “return” means to turn back. Together, the words identify what Ruth refuses: abandoning Naomi by turning back from accompanying her.

  • “lodgest” and “lodge” — לון (lun): The word commonly means to spend the night or stay somewhere. Ruth’s promise reaches beyond traveling in the same direction: wherever Naomi stops and stays, Ruth will stay too.

  • “people” — עַם (am); “God” — אֱלֹהִים (elohim): “People” means a people or community, not simply a group of individuals. Although “God” has a plural form in Hebrew, here the word refers to Naomi’s God in the singular. Ruth joins her commitment to Naomi’s community with her commitment to Naomi’s God.

Why Ruth 1:16 matters

  • Ruth is answering a real invitation to return home. In the preceding verses, Naomi points Ruth toward her own people and gods. “Thy people” and “thy God” directly answer those alternatives.

  • The promise extends beyond personal companionship. “Whither thou goest” and “where thou lodgest” concern sharing Naomi’s circumstances; “thy people” and “thy God” extend that commitment to communal and religious belonging.

Where else these words appear

“Ruth” Hebrew H7327 · used in 12 verses

  • Ruth 1:4 And 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 dwelled there about ten years.
  • Ruth 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
  • Ruth 3:9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

“Intreat” Hebrew H6293 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 23:8 And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
  • Joshua 19:27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,
  • 1 Kings 2:34 So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

“lodgest” Hebrew H3885 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Joshua 3:1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
  • Job 17:2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?