Ruth 1:21 net — I left here full, but the LORD has caused me to return empty-handed. Why do you call me‘Naomi,’ seeing that the LORD ha…

NET Bible

"I left here full, but the LORD has caused me to return empty-handed. Why do you call me‘Naomi,’ seeing that the LORD has opposed me, and the Sovereign One has caused me to suffer?”"

— Ruth 1:21, NET Bible

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Ruth 1:21 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

KJV
“I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?”
King James Version · Read this chapter in KJV
ASV
“I went out full, and Jehovah hath brought me home again empty; why call ye me Naomi, seeing Jehovah hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? ”
American Standard Version · Read this chapter in ASV
WEB
“I went out full, and Yahweh has brought me home again empty; why do you call me Naomi, since Yahweh has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"”
World English Bible · Read this chapter in WEB
DRB
“I went out full and the Lord hath brought me back empty. Why then do you call me Noemi, whom the Lord hath humbled, and the Almighty hath afflicted?”
Douay-Rheims Bible · Read this chapter in DRB
BBE
“I went out full, and the Lord has sent me back again with nothing; why do you give me the name Naomi, seeing that the Lord has given witness against me, and the Ruler of all has sent sorrow on me?”
Bible in Basic English · Read this chapter in BBE
KJVA
“I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?”
King James Version with Apocrypha · Read this chapter in KJVA

Ruth 1 — Context

When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped trying to dissuade her.

So the two of them journeyed together until they arrived in Bethlehem. Naomi and Ruth Arrive in BethlehemWhen they entered Bethlehem, the whole village was excited about their arrival. The women of the village said,“Can this be Naomi?”

But she replied to them,“Don’t call me‘Naomi’! Call me‘Mara’ because the Sovereign One has treated me very harshly.

I left here full, but the LORD has caused me to return empty-handed. Why do you call me‘Naomi,’ seeing that the LORD has opposed me, and the Sovereign One has caused me to suffer?”

So Naomi returned, accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth, who came back with her from the region of Moab.(Now they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.)

Ruth 1:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

What does Ruth 1:21 say?

Ruth 1:21 in the NET Bible reads: “I left here full, but the LORD has caused me to return empty-handed. Why do you call me‘Naomi,’ seeing that the LORD has opposed me, and the Sovereign One has caused me to suffer?””

Where is Ruth 1:21 in the Bible?

Ruth 1:21 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ruth, chapter 1, verse 21.

Who wrote Ruth?

Ruth is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel). It was written c. 1011–931 BC.

What is the book of Ruth about?

Ruth is the tender story of a Moabite widow who clings to her Israelite mother-in-law and to the LORD, and finds refuge under the wing of a kinsman-redeemer named Boaz. Set in the time of the judges, it ends with the genealogy of King David — and ultimately points toward Christ.

What are the major themes of Ruth?

Ruth explores themes including Loyalty, Redemption, Providence, Kindness, Lineage of David. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ruth 1:21.

What translation should I read Ruth 1:21 in?

Ruth 1:21 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.

How can I memorize Ruth 1:21?

Ruth 1:21 reads (NET): “I left here full, but the LORD has caused me to return empty-handed. Why do you call me‘Naomi,’ seeing that the LORD has opposed me, and the Sovereign One has caused me to suffer?”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.

Ruth 1:21 net — I left here full, but the LORD has caused me to return empty-handed. Why do you call me‘Naomi,’ seeing that the LORD ha…

Read in Another Translation

Ruth 1:21 in Other Translations

Ruth 1 — Context

Ruth 1:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

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