King James Version

What Does Ruth 1:8 Mean?

Ruth 1:8 in the King James Version says “And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as y...” — study this verse from Ruth chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.”

Ruth 1:8 · KJV

Context

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.

7

Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

8

And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

9

The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

10

And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

Read Ruth 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt kindly with the dead, and with me.

Naomi's command "Go, return" (lekhnah shovnah, לֵכְנָה שֹׁבְנָה) uses the imperative form, urging decisive action. She doesn't merely suggest but commands them to turn back to Moab. The reference to "mother's house" rather than "father's house" (the typical expression) is unusual, possibly indicating that their fathers were deceased, or emphasizing the female sphere where young widows would find comfort and eventually new marriages.

The phrase "the LORD deal kindly with you" invokes Yahweh's blessing despite urging them to return to Moab. This demonstrates Naomi's recognition that Yahweh's care extends beyond ethnic boundaries—He can bless even Moabites who show covenant loyalty. The word "kindly" translates chesed (חֶסֶד), one of the Old Testament's most significant theological terms, meaning loyal love, covenant faithfulness, or steadfast mercy. It describes God's unwavering commitment to His promises.

Naomi's prayer asks God to show chesed to her daughters-in-law "as ye have dealt kindly with the dead, and with me." She recognizes their loyal love (chesed) toward her deceased sons and herself. This is remarkable—Naomi sees her pagan Moabite daughters-in-law as having demonstrated covenant loyalty, the very quality that should characterize God's people Israel. Their faithfulness to their Israelite husbands and widowed mother-in-law exemplified chesed more than many Israelites demonstrated during the judges period.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of chesed (covenant loyalty) is central to Old Testament theology, describing both God's faithfulness to Israel and the loyalty expected within covenant relationships. It goes beyond mere legal obligation to include genuine affection, commitment beyond what duty requires, and steadfast loyalty regardless of circumstances. That Naomi attributes chesed to Moabite women demonstrates this virtue transcends ethnicity—it's a quality of character, not merely cultural identity.

Returning to their mothers' houses would mean Ruth and Orpah rejoining Moabite society with prospects of remarriage to Moabite men. Ancient Near Eastern customs expected young childless widows to remarry, providing economic security and continuing family lines. Naomi's urging them to return wasn't callousness but realism—she had nothing to offer them in Judah, while Moab offered security and future prospects.

The historical irony is profound: during Israel's judges period, when "every man did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25), two Moabite women demonstrated covenant loyalty surpassing many Israelites. This pattern repeats throughout Scripture—God finds faith in unexpected places (Rahab the Canaanite, Ruth the Moabite, the Syrophoenician woman, the Roman centurion) while covenant people often fail in faithfulness. Election doesn't guarantee faithfulness; grace produces gratitude-motivated loyalty wherever hearts genuinely encounter God.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what relationships might you be prioritizing your needs over others' genuine welfare, and how can you more selflessly serve their best interests?
  2. Where might you be failing to recognize genuine godly character in people outside your familiar circles, and how can you cultivate eyes to see God's work more broadly?
  3. How does Naomi's confidence in God's universal justice challenge any tendencies toward spiritual tribalism in your thinking about who deserves God's blessing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נָֽעֳמִי֙2 of 18

“And Naomi”

H5281

noomi, an israelitess

לִשְׁתֵּ֣י3 of 18

“unto her two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

כַלֹּתֶ֔יהָ4 of 18

“daughters in law”

H3618

a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife

לֵ֣כְנָה5 of 18
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

שֹּׁ֔בְנָה6 of 18

“return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אִשָּׁ֖ה7 of 18

“each”

H802

a woman

לְבֵ֣ית8 of 18

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אִמָּ֑הּ9 of 18

“to her mother's”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

עֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם10 of 18

“deal”

H6213

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

יְהוָ֤ה11 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

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

עִמָּכֶם֙12 of 18
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

חֶ֔סֶד13 of 18

“kindly”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר14 of 18
H834

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

עֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם15 of 18

“deal”

H6213

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

עִם16 of 18
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הַמֵּתִ֖ים17 of 18

“with the dead”

H4191

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

וְעִמָּדִֽי׃18 of 18
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

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 1:8 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 1:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ruth 1:5Ruth 2:20Colossians 3:18Colossians 3:24Ephesians 6:2-3Ephesians 5:22

Test Your Knowledge

Ruth 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRuth Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ruth 1 with CommentaryAll Ruth ChaptersComplete Ruth QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes