SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024 – Page 7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:17

1:17a

Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried: Ruth meant that she intended to stay in Israel with Naomi’s people all her life, even after Naomi’s own death. Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Wherever you die, I will die, and I will be buried there with you. (God’s Word)
-or-
I will die where you die and be buried beside you. (Contemporary English Version)

1:17b

May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely: The Hebrew words are more literally “Thus may Yahweh do to me, and thus may he add.” This was a way of making an oath or a solemn promise. The word “thus” refers to the punishment that Yahweh would give the person who did not keep the oath. Many languages have a specific way to indicate that someone is taking an oath.

Here are some other ways to translate this oath:

May the Lord punish me, and do so severely, (CSB)
-or-
May the Lord ’s worst punishment come upon me (Good News Translation)
-or-
May the Lord punish me severely if I do not keep my promise! (NET Bible)

if anything but death separates you and me: There are two ways to interpret this Hebrew sentence:

(1) It means that they will separate from each other only when one of them dies. For example:

May the Lord punish me severely if I do not keep my promise! Only death will be able to separate me from you! (NET Bible)

(2) It means that they will not be separated from each other even when they die, because they will be buried in the same place. For example:

May the Lord do so to me and more also if even death parts me from you. (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is followed by many English versions and most commentaries.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

I will stay beside you until death makes us separate. If I ever leave you, the Lord should punish me. (Easy English Bible)
-or-
May Yahweh punish me severely if I separate from you. I will be separated from you only when one of us dies. (Translation for Translators)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:16

Paragraph 1:16–18

Ruth’s answer in verses 16–17 is in the form of parallel lines. Poetry in Hebrew consists of parallel lines. In these verses, the same meaning is stated twice in a similar way. It is recommended that you keep the form of the lines parallel if it is possible.

1:16a

But Ruth replied: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces a contrast between what Naomi said and Ruth’s reply.

Do not urge me to leave you: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as urge means “to request something strongly.” Naomi had been asking Ruth to go home for quite some time.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Don’t plead with me to abandon you (CSB)
-or-
Do not keep begging me to leave you.

or to turn from following you: The clause turn from following you indicates leaving Naomi and returning to Moab. Here is another way to translate this clause:

Don’t tell me to go back to Moab.

The clause turn from following you means the same as the clause “Don’t urge me to leave you.” Ruth said the same thing in two different ways for emphasis.

Here are some other ways to translate these two clauses:

Don’t force me to leave you. Don’t make me turn back from following you. (God’s Word)
-or-
Don’t ask me to leave you! Let me go with you! (Good News Translation)
-or-
Stop urging me to abandon you! (NET Bible)

1:16b

For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For can also be translated as “because.” Ruth made it clear that she intended to go anywhere that Naomi went.

Here is another way to translate this Hebrew conjunction:

For where you go I will go (English Standard Version)

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay; (New International Version)
-or-
Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you sleep, I will sleep. (English Easy-to-Read Version)

1:16c

your people will be my people, and your God will be my God: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as people was used in verses 10 and 15. This Hebrew word could mean “her family,” “her clan,” or “her nation.” You should translate this word the same way in all three places.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Your relatives will be my relatives, and the God you worship will be the God I worship (Translation for Translators)
-or-
Your clan will be my clan. I will obey the same God that you obey.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:15

1:15a

“Look,” said Naomi: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Look attracts attention to what the speaker will say next. Use a term in your language that calls for attention.

Here is another way to translate this word:

Listen!

said Naomi: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as said Naomi is more literally “And she said.” It begins the sentence. The Berean Standard Bible has placed these words in the middle of the sentence. You should put these words wherever they will be natural in your language.

Here is an example of the Hebrew order:

Naomi said to Ruth, “Look… (New Century Version)

your sister-in-law: The term sister-in-law means “the wife of your husband’s brother.” It refers to Orpah.

has gone back to her people and her gods: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has gone back indicates a completed action. However, Orpah had not completed her journey back home. In some languages, it will be more natural to use a verb form that indicates that Orpah was in the process of returning home. This is why some versions translate this as “is going back.” For example:

your sister-in-law is going back (New International Version)

her people: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as her people could mean “her family,” “her clan,” or “her nation.” Use a word that refers to a wide kinship group. This word was used in 1:10. You should translate it the same way in both places.

her gods: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gods :

(1) It is plural. It means “gods.” For example:

back to her people and to her gods (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) It is singular. It means “god.” For example:

back to her people and to her god (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries.

The words her gods refer to the gods that Orpah’s family worshiped in Moab.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is going back to her own people and her own gods.” (New Century Version)
-or-
Naomi said to Ruth, “Look! Orpah is returning to her clan and to the gods they worship.”

1:15b

follow her back home: Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Go back with her (New International Version)
-or-
You should do the same. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:14

1:14a

There is a Hebrew conjunction that introduces the next event in the story. Many English versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, do not translate this conjunction.

Again they wept aloud: The pronoun they refers to Ruth and Orpah.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Again they started crying. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Then Ruth and Orpah started crying again (Translation for Translators)

1:14b

Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye: There is a textual issue in this verse part:

(1) The Hebrew text says “And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law.” For example:

Orpah kissed her mother-in-law (New Revised Standard Version)

Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and took her leave (Revised English Bible)

(2) The Septuagint says “And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and returned to her people.” For example:

Orpah then kissed her mother-in-law and went back to her people. (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions and commentaries.

However, the information that Orpah returned home is clearly implied in 1:15a. You may wish to include this as implied information for clarity.

goodbye: The Hebrew text does not have the word goodbye. The Berean Standard Bible has added this word as implied information. Naomi’s statement in 1:15 makes it clear that Orpah is taking her leave.

Here is another way to translate this verse part:

Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law Naomi good-bye (New Century Version)
-or-
Then Orpah said farewell/goodbye to her mother-in-law

1:14c

but Ruth clung to her: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but introduces a contrast between what Orpah decided to do and what Ruth decided to do.

Ruth clung to her: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as clung means “hold onto something tightly.” Ruth may have taken hold of Naomi’s arm or put her arms around her and held her close, indicating she wanted to stay with her.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

but Ruth held onto her tightly (New Century Version)
-or-
But Ruth stayed with her. (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:13

1:13a

would you wait for them to grow up?: This is a rhetorical question. It is used for emphasis. Naomi’s daughters-in-law would certainly not wait for any sons she might have to grow up. Her new sons would be too young to marry Ruth and Orpah.

There are two ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Would you wait for them until they become old enough to marry? (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a statement. For example:

Surely you would not want to wait until they were old enough to marry! (NET Bible)

1:13b

Would you refrain from having husbands?: This is another rhetorical question. It emphasizes again that Orpah and Ruth had no reason to go with Naomi. They would not turn down other opportunities to get married, and to wait until Naomi’s sons became old enough to marry.

There are two ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• Use a rhetorical question. For example:

Would you…and stay single just for them? (God’s Word)
-or-
Would you…refuse to marry someone else? (New Living Translation (2004))

• Use a statement. For example:

Surely you would not remain unmarried all that time! (NET Bible)

1:13c

No, my daughters: There are two ways to interpret the word No :

(1) Naomi said No to the idea that Ruth and Orpah could expect her to have more sons. For example:

No, my daughters, you know that’s impossible. (Good News Translation)

(2) Naomi said No to Ruth and Orpah’s proposal to accompany her. For example:

No, my daughters, you must not return with me. (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is supported by some commentaries and some English versions. Most versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, are ambiguous.

it grieves me very much for your sakes: There are three ways to interpret the phrase it grieves me very much :

(1) It means that the situation grieves Naomi more than her daughters-in-law. For example:

My bitterness is much worse than yours (God’s Word)

(2) It means that the situation grieves Naomi on account of her daughters-in-law. She felt sorry for them. For example:

For your sakes I feel bitter that the Lord has inflicted such misfortune on me (Revised English Bible)

(3) It means that the situation grieves Naomi too much to share her grief with her daughters-in-law. For example:

For my intense suffering is too much for you to bear. (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation is followed by many English versions and fits the context well.

grieves me: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as grieves me is more literally “bitter to me.” The word “bitter” refers to an irritating, pungent taste. It is used figuratively to refer to an unpleasant experience.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

My bitterness is much worse than yours (God’s Word)
-or-
Life is harder for me than it is for you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Your situations are bad…my situation is much worse (Translation for Translators)

1:13d

the hand of the LORD has gone out against me: The phrase the hand of the LORD is a figure of speech. It indicates the power or ability of Yahweh to perform some action. Naomi was accusing the LORD of taking action against her, or at least using others to cause her difficulty.

Here are some ways to translate this clause:

• Keep the figure of speech. For example:

because the Lord himself has raised his fist against me (New Living Translation (2004))

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

The Lord has turned against me (Good News Translation)
-or-
because the Lord has been against me (New Century Version)
-or-
because the Lord has sent me so much trouble (God’s Word)

General Comment on 1:13c–d

In some languages, it may be best to reverse the order of 1:13c and 1:13d. Here is one way to do this:

The LORD ⌊himself⌋ has turned against me, so what has happened to me is even worse than what has happened to you.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:12

1:12a

Return home, my daughters: Naomi repeated almost the same words that she used in verse 11. In the Hebrew text, she added another command, “go.” This emphasized what she was saying.

for I am too old to have another husband: Naomi added another point to her argument. Not only was she too old to bear more children, but she was also too old to be married again.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

You must go back home, because I am too old to marry again. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Go, because I am too old to get married again. (God’s Word)

1:12b–c

Verse 12b–c consists of two parallel clauses. Both clauses are conditions that are not true.

1:12b

Even if I thought there was hope for me: This clause states a condition that is not true. The word hope refers to the hope that Naomi could get married again and bear more children. It may be helpful to include that implicit information here. For example:

Even if I thought that there was still hope for me ⌊to have more sons⌋

1:12c

to have a husband tonight and to bear sons: This clause states a second condition that is not true. It was not possible that Naomi could get married that night.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Even if I got married tonight and later had more sons (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Suppose I married a man tonight. Suppose that later I gave birth to his sons (NIRV)
-or-
even if I got married today and became pregnant tonight and later gave birth to sons (Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:22

Paragraph 1:22

1:22a

So: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So indicates that what follows is a summary. This clause summarizes verses 6 through 21 and sets the scene for the next part of the story. Introduce this summary in a natural way in your language.

Naomi returned from the land of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess:

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

So Naomi came back from the territory of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess. (CSB)
-or-
This, then, was how Naomi came back from Moab with Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law. (Good News Translation)

1:22b

And they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest: The Hebrew text begins a new sentence here. This may be more natural in many languages. For example:

When they arrived in Bethlehem, the barley harvest was just beginning. (Good News Translation)

barley harvest: The barley harvest was in late April or early May. Barley is a grain, like rice, corn, or millet. The grains grow in a cluster at the top of a thin stalk. People use the stalks and the grains as animal food, and they grind the barley grains into flour and make bread.

If people in your culture are not familiar with barley, here are some ways you can translate it:

• Use a word from the national or trade language and explain it in a footnote.

• Use an expression like “a grain called barley.”

• If no grain is grown in your area, it may be possible to use an expression like “grass with edible seeds.”

• It may be helpful to include a picture.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The barley harvest was just beginning when Naomi and Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law, arrived in Bethlehem. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:10

1:10

and said, “Surely we will return with you to your people.”: In this verse, Orpah and Ruth told Naomi that they intended to accompany her as she returned to Bethlehem.

Here are some ways to indicate the connection of this clause to the previous clause. Any of these options is acceptable:

• Indicate that this clause talks about the next action in the story. For example:

and said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

• Indicate that Orpah and Ruth’s desire to stay with Naomi contrasts with Naomi’s intention to leave them. For example:

But they said to her, “No! We will return with you to your people.” (NET Bible)

• Leave implied the connection of this clause to the previous clause. For example:

They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” (New Revised Standard Version)

Surely we will return: This phrase indicates that the daughters-in-law intend to accompany Naomi on her return to her people. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Surely indicates that they objected to leaving Naomi.

Here are two ways to translate this conjunction:

• Make the meaning of the conjunction explicit. For example:

“No,” they said, “We want to go with you (New Living Translation (2004))

• Leave the meaning of the conjunction implied. For example:

“We are going back with you (God’s Word)

The word return may cause confusion here. Only Naomi would actually be returning to Judah, since Orpah and Ruth had not been there before. In some languages, it may be more natural to translate this verse part differently. For example:

• Leave the word return implied. For example:

We want to go with you (Contemporary English Version)

• Translate in a way that the word return refers only to Naomi. For example:

“We will accompany you on your return

to your people: In Hebrew, the word people is very general. It could refer to Naomi’s relatives or to all the people of Israel. If your language has a word or phrase that refers to relatives, including distant relatives, you may want to use it here. For example:

to your clan
-or-
to your tribe

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 2024

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 1:10

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