Ruth 1:21 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“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?”

Ruth 1:21

bookmark_border Save Verse

menu_book Verse in Context

Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, {Is} this Naomi?

And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. {Naomi: that is, Pleasant} {Mara: that is, Bitter}

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?

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.

Get Personalized Biblical Guidance

Save your favorite verses, get AI-powered insights tailored to your life, and discover related scripture for your spiritual journey.

person_add Create Free Account library_books Explore Topics

From This Chapter

Ruth 1:1

"Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. {ruled: Heb. judged}"

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. {continued: Heb. were}"

Ruth 1:3

"And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons."

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 1:5

"And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband."

Ruth 1:6

"Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread."

Important Disclaimer: This biblical guidance is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you're experiencing crisis symptoms, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or seek immediate professional help.

Bible Guided provides faith-based guidance and should complement, not replace, professional therapeutic support.

shareShare Your Journey

menu_book Verse in Context

Get Personalized Biblical Guidance

From This Chapter