1:21a
I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty: The words full and empty are a figure of speech. Naomi was full when she left Bethlehem in the sense that she had a husband and two sons. When she returned to Bethlehem, she was empty because they were dead. In some languages, it will not be possible to use the words full and empty in this way.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
When I left, I had all I wanted, but now, the Lord has brought me home with nothing. (New Century Version)
-or-
I left here with everything that I needed. Now the Lord has brought me back here with nothing. (Easy English Bible)
1:21b
Why call me Naomi?: This is a rhetorical question. It functions as a rebuke. Naomi had already said in 1:20a that the name Naomi did not fit her current bitter situation.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
There is no reason to call me Naomi.
-or-
Do not call me Naomi any more.
1:21c
the LORD has testified against me: There is a textual issue with the Hebrew verb phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as testified against me :
(1) The Masoretic Text says Yahweh has testified against me. It means “to testify against,” as in a court case. For example:
the Lord has testified against me (English Standard Version)
the Lord has spoken against me (New Century Version)
(2) The Septuagint says Yahweh has afflicted me. For example:
the Lord has dealt harshly with me (New Revised Standard Version)
It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with many versions and commentaries. It is also recommended by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project.
Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:
The Lord Almighty has condemned me (Good News Translation)
-or-
The Almighty Lord has turned against me (Easy English Bible)
-or-
the Lord has opposed me (CSB)
1:21d
the Almighty has afflicted me: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as afflicted can also be translated as “cause suffering,” “cause evil,” or “cause trouble.”
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
has caused me to suffer (NET Bible)
-or-
and made my life so hard (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
has given much trouble to me (English Easy-to-Read Version)
the Almighty: The term the Almighty is the same name for God that Naomi used in 1:20b. You should translate it the same way in both places.
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