King James Version

What Does Ruth 1:17 Mean?

Ruth 1:17 in the King James Version says “Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part t...” — study this verse from Ruth chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”

Ruth 1:17 · KJV

Context

15

And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

16

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Intreat: or, Be not against me

17

Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

18

When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. was: Heb. strengthened herself

19

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?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ruth's declaration reaches its climax with an oath: "Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." The Hebrew construction moves from future commitment ("I will die... I will be buried") to solemn oath invoking divine witness and judgment. This isn't merely emotional sentiment but legally binding covenant language.

The phrase "where thou diest, will I die" commits Ruth beyond Naomi's lifetime. She's not offering temporary companionship until better circumstances arise, but permanent identification unto death. The parallel "there will I be buried" emphasizes perpetual connection—even in death she will remain among God's people rather than return to Moabite burial grounds. Ancient burial practices emphasized resting with one's ancestors, making Ruth's commitment to foreign burial a definitive rejection of Moabite identity.

The oath formula "the LORD do so to me, and more also" (koh ya'aseh YHWH li vekhoh yosif, כֹּה יַעֲשֶׂה יְהוָה לִי וְכֹה יֹסִיף) was standard legal language invoking divine curse for oath-breaking (see 1 Samuel 3:17; 2 Samuel 3:35). Significantly, Ruth invokes "Yahweh"—the covenant name of Israel's God—demonstrating her theological conversion is complete. She's not hedging by calling God "Elohim" (a generic term) but specifically embracing Yahweh as her God. The condition "if ought but death part thee and me" (ki hammavet yafreed beini uveinekh, כִּי הַמָּוֶת יַפְרִיד בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵךְ) means only death will separate them—nothing else, no hardship, poverty, or social pressure will make Ruth abandon Naomi or Israel.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ruth's oath demonstrates familiarity with Israelite legal and religious forms despite her Moabite origins, suggesting she had learned Israel's God and customs during her marriage to Mahlon. The oath formula invoking Yahweh to witness and enforce commitments appears throughout Old Testament narrative, always carrying serious binding force. Breaking such an oath invited divine judgment—not merely social disapproval but supernatural consequence.

Burial customs in the ancient Near East emphasized being laid to rest with ancestors in family tombs. The patriarchs' concern for proper burial (Abraham purchasing Machpelah cave, Joseph's bones carried from Egypt) reflected theological beliefs about death and covenant promises connected to the land. Ruth's commitment to burial in Israel meant permanent severance from Moabite clan identity and complete identification with Israel's hope, including Yahweh's covenant promises about the land.

This oath's inclusion in Scripture serves multiple purposes: it demonstrates Ruth's genuine conversion (not mere circumstantial following of Naomi), establishes her legal right to be incorporated into Israel despite Deuteronomy 23:3-6's prohibition of Moabites, and foreshadows her place in David's genealogy (Ruth 4:17-22) and ultimately Christ's lineage (Matthew 1:5). Ruth becomes the paradigm of Gentile inclusion through faith—ethnicity doesn't determine salvation; covenant commitment to Yahweh does.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Ruth's willingness to be buried in Israel teach about the permanence and totality of genuine conversion to Christ?
  2. How does Ruth's oath invoking Yahweh's name demonstrate that true faith requires not just private belief but public covenant commitment?
  3. In what areas of your Christian life are you holding back from irrevocable commitment, keeping exit strategies in case discipleship becomes too costly?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר1 of 16
H834

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

אָמ֔וּת2 of 16

“Where thou diest”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אָמ֔וּת3 of 16

“Where thou diest”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וְשָׁ֖ם4 of 16
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶקָּבֵ֑ר5 of 16

“and there will I be buried”

H6912

to inter

כֹּה֩6 of 16
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יַֽעֲשֶׂ֨ה7 of 16

“do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוָ֥ה8 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

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

לִי֙9 of 16
H0
וְכֹ֣ה10 of 16
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יֹסִ֔יף11 of 16

“so to me and more”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

כִּ֣י12 of 16
H3588

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

הַמָּ֔וֶת13 of 16

“also if ought but death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

יַפְרִ֖יד14 of 16

“part”

H6504

to break through, i.e., spread or separate (oneself)

בֵּינִ֥י15 of 16
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וּבֵינֵֽךְ׃16 of 16
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ruth. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ruth 1:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ruth 1:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 3:172 Kings 6:312 Samuel 19:131 Kings 2:231 Samuel 25:221 Kings 20:10

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