MPV Commentary

Naomi Returning Home, Ruth Accompanies Her.

6-7 Naomi decided to return from Moab with her daughters-in-law as soon as she was assured that the famine had ended and made necessary arrangements. She longed to enjoy the privileges of Israel in her native land.

8 Naomi told her two daughters-in-law, "Go back each to your mother's house." In Eastern cultures, women often lived in separate apartments from men, and daughters typically resided with their mothers. Naomi said, "May the Lord show you kindness as you have shown kindness to my sons while they were alive."

9 She prayed that the Lord would grant them a life of tranquility, free from the troubles and cares that often accompany widowhood.

Then she kissed them in the traditional Oriental manner when friends are parting.

11 Naomi asked if there were any more sons in her womb for them to marry. This alluded to an ancient custom (Genesis 38:26) later sanctioned by Moses' law (Deuteronomy 25:5), which required a younger son to marry his deceased brother's widow.

12-13 Naomi urged her daughters-in-law, "Turn back, my daughters; go your way." It might seem strange that Naomi dissuaded them from accompanying her to Israel. However, it was the wisest course for several reasons: they might be influenced by unrealistic hopes, led to make a decision under temporary excitement that they would later regret, or their conversion to the true faith would not be thoroughly tested.

13 Naomi explained that she had lost so much that she couldn't provide for them or think of subjecting them to hardships with her. Her arguments convinced Orpah to return to her people and gods. But Ruth remained devoted to Naomi, even as described in a famous passage borrowed from Scripture by the writer Sterne.