Ruth 1:13

Authorized King James Version

Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

Word-by-Word Analysis

הֲלָהֵן֙

H3860

for them

popularly for if; hence, therefore

תְּשַׂבֵּ֗רְנָה

H7663

Would ye tarry

to scrutinize; by implication (of watching) to expect (with hope and patience)

עַ֚ד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִגְדָּ֔לוּ

H1431

till they were grown

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

הֲלָהֵן֙

H3860

for them

popularly for if; hence, therefore

תֵּֽעָגֵ֔נָה

H5702

would ye stay

to debar, i.e., from marriage

לְבִלְתִּ֖י

H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

הֱי֣וֹת

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#10

לְאִ֑ישׁ

H376

from having husbands

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#11

אַ֣ל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

#12

בְּנֹתַ֗י

H1323

nay my daughters

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

#13

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#14

מַר

H4843

for it grieveth

to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively)

#15

לִ֤י

#16

מְאֹד֙

H3966

me much

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

#17

מִכֶּ֔ם

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#18

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#19

יָצְאָ֥ה

H3318

is gone out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#20

בִ֖י

#21

יַד

H3027

for your sakes that the hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#22

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ruth Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Ruth chapter 1 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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