I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
My Notes
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Gill's Exposition
I went out full,.... Of my husband and children, as the Targum; of children and riches, as Aben Ezra and Jarchi; wherefore some Jewish writers blame her and her husband for going abroad at such a…
Barnes' Notes
The Lord hath testified against me - The phrase is very commonly applied to a man who gives witness concerning (usually against) another in a court of justice Exo 20:16; 2Sa 1:16; Isa 3:9. Naomi in…
Adam Clarke
I went out full - Having a husband and two sons.
The Lord hath brought me home again empty - Having lost all three by death. It is also likely that Elimelech took considerable property with him into…
Naomi and Ruth, after many a weary step (the fatigue of the journey, we may suppose, being somewhat relieved by the good instructions Naomi gave to her proselyte and the good discourse they had…
Cambridge Bible
hath testified against me i. e. hath marked His displeasure by the misfortunes which have overtaken me; for the idiom cf. Num 35:30; 1Sa 12:3. The Targ. characteristically moralizes: it was on account…