What does Ruth 1:14 mean?
"And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her." - Ruth 1:14
The book of Ruth is a beautiful story of loyalty, faith, and love. It is set during the time of the judges, a period of instability and uncertainty in Israel's history. The verse Ruth 1:14 from the King James Version reads, "And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her."
This verse occurs in the context of Naomi, a widow from Bethlehem, who is returning to her home country after experiencing great loss. Her husband and sons have died, and she is left with her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi encourages the two young women to return to their own families, as she has nothing to offer them. Orpah tearfully agrees and returns to her people, but Ruth makes a different choice. She makes a remarkable pledge to stay with Naomi, saying, "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" (Ruth 1:16).
The theme of loyalty is central to this verse. Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi is a powerful example of deep loyalty and commitment. Despite the uncertainty and challenges that lay ahead, she chooses to remain by Naomi's side. This act of loyalty sets the stage for the rest of the story, as Ruth's steadfast faithfulness becomes a testament to love and devotion. Ruth's loyalty also reflects the depth of her character and her willingness to sacrifice her own comfort for the sake of another.
Another important theme in this verse is the concept of family and belonging. Ruth's declaration, "thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God," represents her embrace of a new identity and a new community. Through her commitment to Naomi, Ruth becomes part of a new family and culture, and she embraces a new faith. This theme of family and belonging is significant as it emphasizes the idea of finding one's place and purpose in life, even in the midst of hardship and loss.
The symbolism in this verse is also rich and meaningful. The act of Ruth "clave unto" Naomi suggests a deep and unbreakable bond. The word "clave" conveys a sense of clinging and holding fast, indicating the strength of the connection between Ruth and Naomi. This image of clinging speaks to the enduring nature of their relationship and the resilience of their love. It also serves as a symbol of hope and trust, as Ruth's commitment to Naomi becomes a source of stability and support in their challenging circumstances.
Furthermore, Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi carries a broader symbolic significance. It can be interpreted as an act of faith and obedience to God. Ruth's willingness to follow Naomi and embrace her people and her God reflects a deep sense of spiritual devotion and a willingness to trust in God's plan. This act of loyalty and faithfulness becomes a model for others and a testament to the power of God's grace and guidance.
In conclusion, Ruth 1:14 from the King James Version encapsulates the themes of loyalty, family, and faith, and is rich in symbolic meaning. Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi exemplifies the depth of her loyalty and her willingness to embrace a new identity and community. The verse serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring power of love and faith, and the transformative impact of steadfast devotion.
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Ruth 1:14 - "And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her."
"And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her." - Ruth 1:14
Ruth 1:4 - "And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years."
ruth, the loyal daughter
Ruth 1:22 - "So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest."
Ruth 4:14 - "And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel."
Ruth 1:3 - "And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons."
Ruth 1:16 - "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:"
Ruth 3:14 - "¶ And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor."
Ruth 3:1 - "Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?"
Ruth 1:10 - "And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people."
Matthew 1:5 - "And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;"
"And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years." - Ruth 1:4
Ruth 1:18 - "When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her."
Ruth 1:5 - "And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband."
Ruth 2:1 - "And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz."
Ruth 2:14 - "And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left."
Ruth 1:20 - "And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me."
"So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest." - Ruth 1:22
Ruth 1:1 - "Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons."
Ruth 1:17 - "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."
Ruth 1:11 - "And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?"
Ruth 1:7 - "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."
Ruth 1:9 - "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."
Ruth 1:16-17 - "But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.""
Ruth 1:15 - "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."
"And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons." - Ruth 1:3
Ruth 1:19 - "¶ 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?"
Ruth 1:2 - "And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there."
"And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left." - Ruth 2:14