Ruth 1:19

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֵּלַ֣כְנָה
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
שְׁתֵּיהֶ֔ם
So they two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#3
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#4
כְּבֹאָ֙נָה֙
And it came to pass when they were come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#5
בֵּ֣ית
H0
#6
לֶ֔חֶם
to Bethlehem
beth-lechem, a place in palestine
#7
וַיְהִ֗י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#8
כְּבֹאָ֙נָה֙
And it came to pass when they were come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
בֵּ֣ית
H0
#10
לֶ֔חֶם
to Bethlehem
beth-lechem, a place in palestine
#11
וַתֵּהֹ֤ם
was moved
to make an uproar, or agitate greatly
#12
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
הָעִיר֙
that all the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#14
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ן
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
וַתֹּאמַ֖רְנָה
about them and they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#16
הֲזֹ֥את
this (often used adverb)
#17
נָֽעֳמִֽי׃
Is this Naomi
noomi, an israelitess

Analysis

Within the broader context of Ruth, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Ruth's theological argument.

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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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